RACIAL HERITAGE

MEDIA MUST REMEMBER OBAMA IS ALSO WHITE

Now that Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidency, isn't it time the news media got it correct when referring to Obama as not only "black," but also "white?"

Being born and raised in Hawai'i, we are all so proud that a native son has achieved so much success at such a young age. His upbringing will showcase and reflect the diversity of cultures and ethnicity that is so prevalent in Hawai'i, and Obama should be afforded the respect of being multiracial.

The media should come up with a more accurate word than only "black" when referring to Barack Obama. How about "Afro-Euro," which would give credit to his black and white heritage?

PRESCHOOL CLOSURE

SHAME ON ST. TIMOTHY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shame on St. Timothy's Children's Center's board of directors for using the excuse of renovations as the reason for closing this excellent preschool that has served our community for more than 30 years.

If the renovations are so dire, why were they still accepting enrollment and why were they still asking parents to submit our deposits as late as Tuesday afternoon, only hours before meeting with parents and teachers to let us know the school would close in less than 30 days?

They didn't even have the decency to tell the teachers they would be out of a job.

As I have had to tell my almost 4-year-old son, when one door closes another one opens. I wish all of the wonderful families and teachers at STCC the best of luck.

TOURISM

VISITORS FOUND ISLAND SIGNAGE INADEQUATE

We just finished a vacation to your wonderful state of Hawai'i. We visited the islands of Hawai'i and Kaua'i and enjoyed them very much.

But does the state have a problem with signs to tell people where sites are located?

I can't tell you how many times we were left guessing which way to turn because of a lack of signage.

Maybe the state could spend less money on Click it or Ticket and more on signs that point visitors in the right direction.

TRANSIT

RAIL SYSTEM COULD HARM ISLE ENVIRONMENT

Mayor Mufi Hannemann recently praised a Brookings Institution study that "underscores how important rail mass transit is to Honolulu's future." Perhaps he should read more carefully next time.

The Brookings Institution ranked U.S. metro areas in terms of carbon emissions per capita. However, the researchers excluded nearly half of carbon emissions nationally, including those from non-highway transportation. It is no surprise that cities with rail transit would fare well in the study when emissions from rail transit systems were ignored.

In contrast, a University of Hawai'i study led by Panos Prevedouros found that the mayor's rail system would only reduce traffic congestion by 3 percent, meaning it would consume more energy and produce more emissions than the cars it replaces.

Mayor Hannemann should also know that the study does not claim a correlation between rail transit and lower carbon emissions. While the authors highlight four cities that have high rail ridership and small carbon footprints, they note three other cities — Washington, Baltimore and Atlanta — that don't follow such a pattern.

So what is the answer to our traffic problems? High occupancy toll (or HOT) lanes, combined with necessary upgrades to roads, traffic signals and the bus system, would resolve 10 times more congestion than rail while reducing energy usage and carbon emissions, according to the Prevedouros study — all at a fraction of the cost of the mayor's $6 billion train.

Contrary to Mayor Hannemann's claims, rail would not solve our traffic woes here in Honolulu — and could harm our environment in the process.

NAVY EXCHANGE

GOLF BAG, CLUBS STOLEN FROM COMMISSARY LOT

On June 2 at about 11 a.m., I left my 2007 CRV parked in row 4 about 10 cars from the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange commissary for about 12 minutes while I shopped.

At about 11:12 a.m., when I returned to my car, I found my rear window smashed and my golf bag and clubs missing. On the ground behind my CRV was a bent club and glass on the pavement. No one saw anything.

Thanks to the NEX for not having surveillance cameras in the area. Thanks to all those other patrons who passed that way and heard the noise or saw what happened and did nothing.

To all military and retirees in Hawai'i: Don't leave your auto unattended in the parking complex.

It will cost me more than $2,000 to get back to where I was before I shopped at the NEX complex, but it will be a long time before I park there again.

CHINATOWN

TRELLIS COLUMNS MUST ALSO BE REMOVED NOW

The removal of archaic, mammoth, nonfunctional trellises from Kukui and River streets is greatly appreciated and long overdue.

However, the removal of the massive columns is necessary to improve the streetscape and the maintenance of the walkway along Nu'uanu Stream.

The revitalization of Chinatown will enable visitors and residents to cherish unblocked views of the Ko'olau, Honolulu Harbor and the peaceful Nu'uanu Stream.

Elderly strollers, children, merchants and patrons are much safer as undesirables seek other areas to congregate and ply their trade.

The community will embrace, reflect, understand and love a revitalized, clean, safe and attractive Chinatown of years gone by, and be proud of Hawai'i's ethnic, cultural and social diversity.

Attractive landscaping similar to Waikiki with grass, flowers, hanging baskets and water features can magically transform the area to an enchanting Asian promenade.

ROD TAM

MORE THAN APOLOGY NEEDED AFTER REMARK

As a well-known Latino/Hispanic entertainer in Hawai'i for more than 20 years, I am very offended by the remark made by City Councilman Rod Tam.

Latino/Hispanic people have been in Hawai'i for more than 100 years. They are working families, artists, professionals, entertainers, politicians and in all walks of life. Due respect is warranted for all of our sisters and brothers, no matter the race, creed or color.

Especially since here in Hawai'i everybody came from somewhere, legally and illegally.

So who gave someone like Mr. Tam the right to use such a harsh and racist remark about other people when he is a descendant of immigrants himself?

I think more than an apology is needed here. Mr. Tam has broken the trust of our community and has shown his true colors.

RACIAL TERM IS SLUR, NOT CASUAL REMARK OR SLANG

Wetback is a slur. As someone who grew up in the Southwest and traveled in the Southwest and Mexico, I assure you the word is not polite, a friendly jab, a casual term or slang. People may care about Councilman Rod Tam as their friend or hero or neighbor, and so hope to lessen the impact. Sorry, it is a slur.

For every race, for every political group, we humans find a way to use language to belittle the other guy. When the dominant culture felt swamped by immigrant Italians — there was a slur name for Italians. Same for many others: Jews, Poles, Germans, Vietnamese, and now those of Middle Eastern descent.

As each group blends in, when that group is not a threat, the slurs are not heard frequently.

If, as a species, we humans want to survive we have to quit putting our energy into belittling others and work together to solve big problems.

Wake up! The world has real problems we won't solve by calling each other names. Nothing is solved by stomping on the other guy Most likely, as Mr. Tam has shown, you'll just hurt your own foot.

CALLING SOMEONE IGNORANT ALSO OFFENSIVE

Whatever happened to free speech? One can't say anything without consulting a word specialist. Not everyone has a command of every aspect of the English language. Like no one should ever speak if one has not traveled the world, or read about every race, studied their history and, most of all, the words that describe something about them that they find offensive.

Isn't it odd that the person offended by the word "wetback" called City Councilman Rod Tam "ignorant." Isn't that word offensive also?

We might as well all shut up and never say anything, because it "may" be offensive to someone in Timbuktu.

KAU INOA

IT IS TIME TO FIND UNITY THROUGH ONE VOICE

I read the June 4 Volcanic Ash column by David Shapiro ("Hawaiians have to find a unifying agenda") in your editorial section.

Mr. Shapiro pretty much hit it right on the kinipopo.

Is he the first person to recognize this need for us to all be on the same page? Maybe not. However, mahalo to him for taking the time to articulate what I as a Native Hawaiian feel. Too many opinions. Too much separatism. Too much huhu.

It's time to find unity through one voice. Kau Inoa needs to imua. What have we got to lose? You can't lose something that you don't have, and you can't get it unless you try.

I placed my name today.