Letters to the Editor
GET TOUGH
ILLEGAL TINTING IMPEDES SAFETY AT CROSSWALKS
Your article on crosswalk habits had good advice on how pedestrians can stay safer, but watching the drivers and engaging their eyes prior to stepping out into the roadway is ridiculous.
Ever look around and notice how many cars have heavily tinted windows? Even cars with legal tint make it difficult, if not impossible, to see the eyes of a driver.
Help level the playing field for pedestrians of all ages by getting tougher on tinting standards and cracking down on illegal tinting.
Spencer KawamotoHonolulu
VOLLEYBALL
A CZECH TRIUMPH FOR A HOMEGROWN TALENT
Tony Ching, former UH men's volleyball All-American player in his first year in professional volleyball, has just completed his season playing in the Czech Republic. He has been playing there since last August.
His team (VK-DHL) in the Czech republic has won its first- ever championship. According to the Czech Republic sports reporter, Tony was very instrumental in helping win the championship.
Being the smallest guy on his team and league, Tony surpassed his playing ability with his amazing power hits and jumping ability. They call him "the Hawaiian smasher."
They also won their first prestigious Czech Cup.
Despite his severe accident with his moped several years ago, Tony beat the odds and fulfilled his dreams of succeeding in playing in the professional league. Imua, Tony.
Kenneth ChingProud grandpa, Hau'ula
OHA CRITIQUE
PUSH FOR A REAL NATION, NOT JUST ENTITLEMENTS
Is there someone out there who can help me understand why the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is continuously pushing for recognition as an indigenous people? Can anyone enlighten me by answering this?
Wouldn't it be easier for them to stop fighting the U.S. Constitution and to start pushing for recognition as descendants of Hawaiian nationals?
Trustee Colette Machado wrote in her May 11 letter that "Only Congress can decide the issue of creating a process for federal recognition for Native Hawaiians." Why re-invent the wheel? The blood of our "ancestors" was spilt and a nation was already built.
Every one already knows that the U.S. conceded that the overthrow was illegal; wouldn't this give us legal standing to fight for what is lawfully ours instead of begging for "entitlements?"
Wouldn't we create a less divisive means of attaining true political recognition instead of just federal recognition.
All these questions: Anyone have the answer?
Ms. Machado, do you?
Dominic AcainKekaha, Kaua'i
LITTER'S A DISGRACE
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
One of the saddest, most disgraceful and most easily remedied problems here is litter. It is everywhere! It is as if our beautiful 'aina is inhabited by irresponsible kids. We can stop it:
Honolulu
GOP IS GRAND OLD PARTY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS, TOO
I was extremely disappointed to read that U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Charles Max-well believes Republicans are insensitive to issues affecting Native Hawaiians ("Maxwell won't resign from civil rights panel," May 6).
I met Uncle Charlie many years ago and with all due respect, his comments are way off base and just plain wrong. Here in Hawai'i, Republicans are some of the staunchest supporters of S. 147, known as the Akaka bill.
Gov. Linda Lingle has testified on Capitol Hill, spoken on multiple occasions with the president and high-ranking members of his administration, convinced Republican senators to become co-sponsors and delivered speeches at home as part of her ongoing efforts to win approval for the bill.
Uncle Charlie's biased remarks about Republicans blindly overlooks the outstanding work being done by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). Micah Kane and his team have given more families a chance for homeownership in three years than was done in the previous 10 combined.
And, the DHHL team is not just building homes, it is building communities. That is probably why the Building Industry recently awarded Micah its Housing Advocate of the Year Award. By the way, Micah Kane is the former chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party.
One thing the Civil Rights Commission has always advocated against is stereotyping. Then why is Uncle Charlie coloring all Republicans the same? It is not only unfair, it is hypocritical and out of touch.
Democrats don't wear halos and Republicans don't wear horns. Uncle Charlie should know that.
Sam AionaChairman, Hawai'i Republican Party
