KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS

TAXPAYERS PAY A PRICE FOR NONPROFIT KSBE

Once again (May 23), a letter writer has given the impression that KSBE doesn't cost "federal, state, or local governments" anything. The fact is that KSBE costs taxpayers, big time. It files tax returns as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, and thus avoids paying any federal or state taxes on its total revenue of $650 million. (See KSBE's 2005 tax return, just made available to the public.)

Further, in Part V of that filing, KSBE states, under penalty of perjury, that it does not racially discriminate and that it widely publicizes its racially non-discriminatory practices.

Recent letter writers try to give the impression that KSBE can do what it likes because it costs the taxpayers nothing. This is simply not true. Because of its tax-exempt status, taxpayers are subsidizing KSBE.

The solution for KSBE is simple, although expensive: It must choose. It must either 1) give up its tax-exempt status, and be free to discriminate as it wishes, or 2) give up its racially discriminatory policies and maintain its tax exemption.

No other 501(c)3 tax exempt organization would even try to have it both ways!

PHONE SERVICES

SUBSIDY PROGRAM IS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS

What a boondoggle to spend $132 million in subsidies to provide phone service to 3,500 remote residences in the U.S.

I don't live on Hawaiian Home Lands. Why should I pay extra money on my phone bill so a handful of houses can have telephone service?

When I lived in the Puna rainforest of the Big Island, I didn't have phone service and I didn't expect anyone else to spend their money so I could have it.

This subsidy program is wasteful nonsense to enrich multi-million-dollar telephone corporations. It should be ended immediately.

HISTORIC SITES

PRESERVING PAST SHOULD BE A COMMUNITY EFFORT

Re: "Historic Kohala Church Gone" (May 29) and "State approved permits to bulldoze ancient sites" (May 10):

These two recent articles have pointed to losses of historic sites on Hawai'i Island. The demolition of the Kohala Pilgrim Church and the Pua'a Agricultural Fields demonstrates gaps in the system that is meant to protect Hawai'i's irreplaceable historic and cultural assets.

Both the church and the ancient Hawaiian sites had been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, but that recognition was not enough to protect them. The chronic lack of funding, staffing and resources at both the state and county levels exacerbated the problems.

In the past legislative session, the state Senate passed a resolution that calls for the State Historic Preservation Division to research and report on how best to protect Hawai'i's historic buildings from demolition. The Senate called for a study into both regulatory and incentive-based programs that will better protect Hawai'i's significant architectural, archeological and cultural sites. This effort, and implementing the resulting recommendations, will take the collective efforts of government, non-profit and private interests working together.

It is time to stop wringing our hands over losses of our historic treasures and work together to find solutions.

IMMIGRATION BILL

PRESIDENT HAS DONE LITTLE TO EARN OUR TRUST

The comprehensive immigration bill is flawed and needs to be corrected. Yet President Bush wants the present bill to be approved and sent to him to sign. Now he is asking us to give him a chance to succeed. How can we trust him? We are going nowhere in Iraq; Mexicans are still crossing the border illegally. Talk is cheap.

Congress should do something soon or he will keep running down our country as long as he stays in power.

NOISE POLLUTION

LEGISLATORS HAVE YET TO END ISLE DISRUPTIONS

Planes flying over 'Ewa Beach is only one in a long line of noise problems that have existed on O'ahu for the past decade. For years, planes, helicopters and the infamous Honolulu Marathon fireworks have rousted hard-working locals from their peaceful slumbers.

Since we live on a small island, why can't these flights be relocated over the ocean until they have to land? The whole Hawai'i Kai-Pearl City corridor should be off limits to late-night flying, except emergencies, since most of the state's population resides there.

I wish the good people of 'Ewa Beach much luck in waiting for legislators to talk to the state administration about reopening a noise compatibility study. I've been e-mailing my representative, Calvin Say, for years regarding noise, with nary a single reply. However, our Legislature can't be accused of selective hearing. They seem to be just as deaf to the mopeds, Harleys and planes as they are to their constituents' complaints of noise. Maybe they'll hear me at election time!

YOUTH SPORTS

FUNDRAISING BONDS TEAM AND COMMUNITY

I was happy to see the article on May 27 about local youth sports teams fundraising for their travel to the Mainland. I vividly remember doing that myself as a member of the Bulls Soccer Club in the early '90s. Everyone on the team participated, with the point being that we did things as a team. That was the greater reward — the building of unity through a community effort.

Having coached soccer in the Mainland, where these kinds of fundraising efforts seem almost nonexistent, I noticed just how important those fundraisers were to make the team closer. Up here, where it's an "every man for himself" culture in youth sports, those small acts of community are greatly needed.

Thank you for shedding light on activities that serve to make the youth better people in the long run.

MASS TRANSIT

BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH COSTS WITH RAIL SYSTEM

As a 17-year resident of Kapolei and an even longer rider of TheBus, I'm extremely heartened by the prospect of O'ahu citizens finally getting the mass transit system we need and want.

To those who question whether we'll get the ridership, I say come ride the bus with us and you'll see how committed and dependent many of us are to public transportation.

I, for one, am looking forward to enjoying a form of transportation that will not be impacted by the inevitable traffic delays on Honolulu's freeways.

To those of you who say the system will cost too much, I say we can't afford to do nothing, in terms of the cost to our environment, our economy and our quality of life.

Mahalo to Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his administration for their foresight and commitment.

CLICK IT OR TICKET

CAMPAIGN A REMINDER FOR ALL SLOPPY DRIVERS

Thank you, HPD, for adopting the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which targets the summer and graduation drivers before the season of the never-ending party.

We have seen grisly and heart-breaking reminders of what happens in an auto accident when passengers don't buckle up.

Some people view a seat-belt reminder as a waste of money, because licensed drivers know the law.

Every day I see drivers run through the stop sign in my subdivision, as well as pass stopped school buses with flashing lights as they cut through my neighborhood significantly surpassing the 25-mile-per-hour signs, just to save a minute waiting for the stop light on the through street. They tailgate local residents and speed by elderly pedestrians, willing to kill someone to save time.

Drivers may know the laws, but do they practice them?

Project Graduation for high schools (an all-graduation night and non-alcoholic event) and "Click It or Ticket" are excellent programs that remind us when we get sloppy of what responsibilities that come with the the drivers license.

Having a license to drive is a privilege, not a right.

LITTER

SIGNS, FINES ARE WHAT WE NEED TO CLEAN UP

In Singapore, there is a fine of $1,000 for littering so much as a gum wrapper. O'ahu could make millions if we had such a law.

Have people no pride? Why can't they hang onto their trash until they can find a proper place to dispose of it?

We could use some signs all over that say "Your mother doesn't work here, clean up after yourself."

FILIPINO VETERANS

NO EXCUSE JUSTIFIES U.S.'S BROKEN PROMISE

I just read "Senate OKs reunification of Filipino vets' families" and rejoiced. Then I was reminded of a recent article: "VA says benefits for Filipino vets too costly" (April 12).

What?

The article stated "it would cost about $1 billion over 10 years." On the same page: "Army pays $1 billion in bonuses to recruit, retain troops."

Wait a minute! At the start of WWII, Gen. Douglas MacArthur drafted over 200,000 Filipinos into the U.S. Army with the promise of full veterans benefits. In 1946 — only a year after the war ended — Congress passed the Rescission Act, which rescinded that promise. A promise is a promise — but I guess not for Filipinos.

Among the excuses: Too costly; second, "Filipino veterans who live in the Philippines receiving full benefits would have a much higher standard of living compared with the rest of the country's population." What business is that of ours? We have that right here in our country — there are the few opulent rich while many homeless are living from paycheck to paycheck.

Of the 200,000 Filipinos who were drafted, fewer than 20,000 are now living — 7,000 in the U.S. Wait a few more years, America, they will all be gone. Will that relieve your conscience?