Ouster of director could doom band

The method to get rid of a successful and honored Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster after 24 years by presenting the mayor-elect with a petition signed by a group of dissatisfied musicians demonstrates a shameless lack of character ("Band director to be replaced next year," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 30). These people seem unaware of the damage they do to themselves and to a great and beloved institution. Further, the spread of an anonymous e-mail smear against the only Hawaiian in this band gives this campaign the touch of a Shakespearean tragedy.

This ugly story reminds me of what happened to the Berlin Police Band, founded in 1848. Some undisciplined band members, mostly not even police officers, complained about the leadership style of their bandmaster, a man who attempted to keep them "up to snuff" in the tradition of a police band. They succeeded in replacing him with a young, ambitious leader. The band's subsequent performance technically was adequate, but the music no longer touched the hearts and souls of the people and audiences faded away.

Finally, the parliament of the city of Berlin eliminated the band to save money. Some musicians were sent to the police band of Brandenburg. Other members retired or were dismissed. Nobody in Berlin cries a single tear for them.

Band leader has passion for the music

Open Letter to Mayor Mufi Hannemann:

I feel compelled to write to you after hearing from a friend in Honolulu about the firing of Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Aaron Mahi, and reading the story in the newspaper. It made me sad to hear that 25 of the 34 full-time members of the band signed a petition to replace him.

I produce and host a daily variety-talk television show in Columbia, Mo., and had the to opportunity to work with Aaron several years ago, producing a piece on the Royal Hawaiian Band. I found Aaron to be a consummate, caring professional, with deep, passionate feelings for the music and culture of Hawaii.

How sad that a wonderful man like Aaron was betrayed by the people he works with. It shows that in our society these days loyalty to hard-working, caring people is just not important. I feel disillusioned after hearing the news. I have been returning to Hawaii three times a year for 35 years and always included the Friday and Sunday band performances in every trip. The Royal Hawaiian Band without Aaron is just not right. You and the band members should be ashamed.

Bush, Rumsfeld should take responsibility

Mark McCullough's letter of Jan. 2 accurately portrays the Bush administration as a group of bureaucrats unable to admit mistakes, acknowledge that errors were made or even answer legitimate questions.

McCullough's description of the Bush administration's "continuing inability to admit its errors in dealing with Iraq -- failed diplomacy, failed intelligence and lack of planning and execution for the aftermath of the invasion" deserves to be repeated, in every medium in the nation.

We must remember, it was Bush who started the war in Iraq -- attacking, invading, occupying, even indirectly introducing terrorism to that poor country and starting a civil war. It is not as if we had been attacked (or were even in danger of attack) by Iraq, and were retaliating or defending ourselves. If we were unprepared, it is our fault. And the buck stops at the president's desk. Eventually, he must accept some responsibility for his actions or inactions, decisions and indecisions.

'Fess up, Bush and Rummy, or resign and let someone take over who can admit mistakes, take corrective action and move on -- for the good of our country.

Tax money should pay for essentials

Here we go again, President Bush demonizing the U.S. government by saying, "The greatest source of America's generosity is not our government; it's the good heart of the American people." What happened to our government for the people, by the people? Well, folks, Bush's administration is our country's governing body. President Bush runs our government. He IS the government. So, let me ask, Bush's government wants me to fund his war in Iraq and his faith-based projects using my taxes but wants me to dig in my wallet to pay for the tsunami disaster relief, my health care and my pension?

Well, guess what folks, maybe it's just me, but I hold my government to some higher standard. I can dig in my wallet, but I also want Bush, as the representative of my government, to use the tax collection of my country to make a generous effort to pay for the tsunami disaster relief. Not only that, I want my taxes to pay for health care, elderly care, Social Security, free prescriptions, education, the No Child Left Behind Act, jobs and a wise military in my country. I dare to say that as a taxpaying citizen of this country, I deserve no less from my elected government.

Retirement plan shouldn't be cut

For years, you and I have seen more than 7 percent of our pay withheld, and another 7 percent matched by our employer, to pay for Social Security. The intent was to provide a meager living for our kupuna when their working lives were done. We had no say in this. If it had been optional, some of us might have refused, at least in difficult times. But pay we did. And perhaps we were quietly proud to live in a country that cares for its elders, and relieved to know that it would care for us one day.

Maybe not. Now I understand that the Bush administration plans to cut promised benefits to retirees by nearly a third. And these cuts are guaranteed, whether or not one opts into the "private investment plan." In Hawaii, family matters, and our kupuna matter. Maybe something can be done to stop this.