CEDED LANDS

SETTLEMENT WILL NOT BRING RECONCILIATION

I, too, am a non-Hawaiian and have lived here for more than 40 years. I concur with Jackie Lasky's criticism of the proposed ceded lands settlement completely (Letter, Feb. 29).

In the U.S. apology bill (concurrent resolution) there is recognition that the U.S. government played a bad role in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

And the resolution further indicates some form of "reconciliation" needs to take place.

The "reconciliation" process would not be well served by the proposed ceded lands settlement.

STEREOTYPES

HAWAIIANS ARE PART OF EVERY ISLE COMMUNITY

J.F. Choo's recent letter ("Does Obama know real Hawai'i culture?" Feb. 28) was shocking. While Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's comment about Obama attending Punahou School and Sen. Barack Obama's comments about growing up in Hawai'i and knowing Hawaiian culture are not part of this discussion, Choo's remarks are.

He relegates "real" Hawaiians to pseudo-reservations by stating that only in Waimanalo, Wai'anae, Punalu'u, Ka'a'awa, and Papakolea would one be able to find and experience "real" Hawaiian culture. Choo also claims that there are no "real" Hawaiians at Punahou School, either past or present.

Native Hawaiians are a part of every single community throughout these islands. We attend every school in this state, occupy every social class, and serve in every capacity throughout the private and government sectors. Native Hawaiians also live in every other state on the Mainland, and indeed all over the world.

Choo seems to believe that "real" Hawaiians only live in the demographically poorer communities, are not smart enough to be accepted into elite schools and basically eke out an existence separate from the rest of the local community. This is simply a perpetuation of the stereotype that "real" Hawaiians cannot be successful.

Isn't it time for Hawaiians to no longer be put down in our own homeland?

PUNAHOU'S STUDENTS REFLECT ISLES' DIVERSITY

Why do Obama's fellow alums need to defend his attendance at Punahou? I answer only for myself. The truth is important. Stereotypes persist due to ignorance.

Punahou students do not live in a vacuum. Their families reside in all communities, reflecting Hawai'i's diversity. The alumni and parents are in all areas of the workforce: teachers, coaches, law enforcement, firefighters, athletes, musicians, doctors, lawyers, business executives.

My parents are "blooded Hawaiians." I grew up along Kalaniana'ole Highway, but not in Waimanalo.

Does my address and being a Punahou graduate negate my heritage and culture? Does it make me less Hawaiian than my 'ohana? The "real Hawaiian culture" and "blooded Hawaiians" live in all communities, including Punahou.

Coincidentally, I was doing research at the school archives recently. Nearby, small groups of students worked together, gathering information on wahi pana of their choice, 'olelo no'eau associated with these places, preparing to interview kupuna in those communities. What a fine example of knowledge and culture nourished and cultivated by Punahou.

AUNTY GENOA KEAWE

A CLASSSY ENTERTAINER WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Years ago at a fundraiser concert for our Lions club, two of our acts didn't show. Aunty Genoa Keawe had just finished performing and heard of our dilemma.

She sent her group on to her next performance, and stayed back to play for another hour and a half, sharing the stage with Kawai Cockett, and left our audience calling for more.

I can never forget that day, two consummate, truly Hawaiian performers who stood in to save our concert, and smiled all through and thanked us for being able to help us to raise scholarship funds.

We were blessed with her presence, and will never forget.

GENOCIDE

LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN ACTION OVER DARFUR

Regarding your Feb. 25 letter to the editor by Leanne Gillespie ("All must do more to bring peace to Darfur"), I couldn't agree more.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 22 HD1, a resolution signed by 34 legislators from both parties and introduced by myself that made seven substantive policy recommendations to the U.N. Security Council, high commissioner for refugees, European Union, Sudanese government, Janjaweed militia, Sudanese Liberation Army, Sudanese People's Liberation Army and Justice Equality Movement as to what they could do to achieve peace in the region.

The Legislature also passed into law House Bill 34, better known as Act 192, which prohibits the Hawai'i Employees Retirement System from acquiring securities of companies that have active business operations with Sudan.The House International Affairs Committee of the Hawai'i Legislature is working hard to ensure that Darfur, though so far away, is still near in our hearts with respect to its ongoing humanitarian crisis.

MORE ATTENTION MUST BE FOCUSED ON DARFUR

It is ironic the U.S. has chosen to be allies with Sudan in the war against terrorism while Sudan is paying some of its people to kill some of its citizens in one of its poorest regions, Darfur.

I find it harder to understand how Americans are choosing not to take action over this situation.

It is heartbreaking for me, as well as many other students in the 2008 class at St. Francis School, to know this has been going on for nearly five years.

It is disappointing the media has chosen not to publicly display this issue as much as it should. If the media would do more, maybe something can be done to save these people.

HONOLULU

WILL TAKE CITY NOISE OVER CROWING ROOSTERS

I read John Faris' Feb. 29 letter about all the noise in Honolulu. At one time, I might have agreed with him. But I spent a few nights in Wailuku, Maui, and learned better.

Try living next door to dogs that bark at all hours of the night and roosters that "yodel" when it's 2 in the morning.

It's not a solo thing, either. Once one dog or rooster starts up, the rest of the species on the block are genetically obliged to join in.

I gladly choose to take the garbage trucks and ambulances and the rest of the civilized world instead. At least you know the motor vehicles will go away. The dogs and roosters will not.

SUPERDELEGATES

ABIDE BY THE RULES UNTIL THEY ARE CHANGED

It appears voters across the U.S., including Hawai'i, are disenchanted with rules set forth by the Democratic Party regarding superdelegate votes.

This is evidenced in letters on Feb. 27 from John Cheever and Patrick Shea that suggest superdelegates should vote according to how their state voted.

That would mean Hawai'i's nine superdelegates, including Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, should vote for Sen. Barack Obama.

The rules give superdelegates the right to vote for the candidate they feel is most qualified.

Superdelegates are our leaders, but American citizens first. Forcing them to vote how their state voted would deprive them of their basic right to vote for the candidate of their choice.

If rules should be changed on how superdelegates vote, shouldn't Florida and Michigan be allowed to seat their delegates at the national convention? Rules are rules, whether we like them or not.

In the meantime, abide by the rules, until they can be changed.

TIGER ESCAPE

'SYSTEM' DESIGN NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AT ZOO

Regarding the tiger escape at the Honolulu Zoo, the city Department of Enterprise Services director may be missing the point of why the problem occurred and what needs to be fixed.

Sidney A. Quintal stated that the incident "was not intentional and we feel that there was no neglect in this area. It's just an unfortunate human error."

This is not a people/employee problem that needs to be fixed, it's the "system" design that needs to be addressed.

Safety systems should be designed to minimize/eliminate human error, like in airplane design. Airplanes are designed to minimize the possibility for human error, and if there is human error, the design is such that the effect is minimal. Heaven forbid if a plane crashed and the explanation was that it was "just an unfortunate human error."

The question that needs addressing should be: "Why weren't the gates designed to eliminate the possibility that human error might lead to a catastrophic situation?"

An even larger question might be: "What are all the situations in the zoo where human error might lead to a catastrophic situation, and how do we eliminate those?"

LEGISLATORS MUST LOOK OUT FOR SENIORS' NEEDS

I am writing on behalf of the many senior citizens who have become incapable of driving to Ala Moana Center or to some of the large discount stores. Many neighborhood mom-and-pop stores have gone out of business, leaving these senior citizens unable to find other ways to go shopping.

These big businesses may be a boon to the economy of the state, however, legislators must have some concerns for the retired senior citizens who have contributed so much during their active years.

The shortage of recreational facilities, such as bowling alleys, golf courses, etc., as well as long-term care homes are some of the problems legislators should prioritize during their budget sessions.

I predict that within 10 to 15 years we will have a crisis if we don't address these concerns now.