LOOK AT FILM, OTHERS THROUGH WIDER LENS

Much has been made locally over the title of the new movie about Hawai'i's Princess Ka'iulani. The filmmakers have made it very clear that they derived the name of the film, "Barbarian Princess," from historical accounts and reports of what people said in Washington and other places shortly before her trip there to lobby against annexation based on their perception of Native Hawaiians.

However, upon her arrival and throughout her interactions with those she met many were stunned by her intellect and beauty, illustrating that she was nowhere near barbaric.

Films that examine Hawaiian and other indigenous cultures and that try earnestly to present their pieces in factually, historically accurate and culturally sensitive ways, by natives and non-natives alike, are on the rise now more than any other time in history.

Rather than raise controversy we would all be wise to reserve judgment in these matters until we have seen their finished work and do more to look beyond and support the larger cause of telling our story whether we are pleased with every attempt to do so or not, for surely perfection will always elude us.

Brysen Ikaika Poulton | Pearl City

ISLAM DAY

STATE SHOULD NOT RECOGNIZE RELIGIONS

The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." I interpret that as the government's duty to exercise to the fullest extent of the law the separation between church and state.

On Sept. 20, The Honolulu Advertiser published an article on the first celebration of Islam Day in Hawai'i. The majority of Hawai'i legislators voted in favor of officially recognizing Islam. Sen. Sam Slom was correct to vote against the resolution, and the writer of the article should have acknowledged the other two legislators as well. The three of them deserve a commendation.

The government should not attempt to wage war or make peace with the realm of religious thought. I rightfully oppose government recognition of any religion and hold the state of Hawai'i accountable for violating laws that were written to protect me. It is better to leave the sentiments of mutual respect of religion to be genuine acts carried out by people for whom it matters.

Kaleihanamau Johnson | 'Aiea

KULANI PRISON

LEADERS ARE IGNORING YOUTH PROGRAM RISKS

State corrections director Clayton Frank's and Army National Guard Deputy Adjutant Gen. Gary Ishikawa's opinion that Kulani prison is a good place for a Youth Challenge program ("Kulani finds new purpose as youth center," Sept. 21), ignores research that shows isolated institutional programs for at-risk youth are detrimental. As more states and countries abandon these types of interventions, it is disappointing that two of Hawai'i's leaders believe Kulani should be used for at-risk youth.

Lorenn Walker, J.D., M.P.H. | Waialua

NATIVE BIRDS

WILDLIFE SERVICE HAS IGNORED RESEARCH

Rob Perez's article "Import may be killing off Isle birds" (Sept. 21) was an accurate description of the controversy, except for the comments by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are sure their spokesman and the experts he quoted had not read our papers documenting threats to these birds. The Current Biology paper is simply the most recent, and most powerful, showing that stunted growth leads to higher deaths at all ages in most species of native birds.

U.S. FWS has completely ignored our research showing the 'akepa rears mainly sons during March and April and mainly daughters during May and June. Competition with the white-eye is greater during May and June, so the ratio of females has plummeted from 57 percent before 2000 to 13 percent after 2000.

This bird will go extinct in a hurry unless management restores the normal sex ratio. We need to get on with the very serious business of recovering all species of native birds in a national wildlife refuge established to protect them. Right now, they are starving.

Leonard A. Freed | Professor of zoology

Rebecca L. Cann | Professor of cell and molecular biology

OBAMA

TROOPS, HEALTH CARE: DISPARITY IN URGENCY

What's wrong with this picture? Page A8 of Sunday's paper: "Obama not rushing Afghanistan decision." Gen. Stanley McChrystal said he urgently needs more troops within the next year or his mission will "likely result in failure."

Obama said: "I don't have a deadline in my mind. I think the most important thing is to do it right."

Then moving to page A12: "Obama: Health reform can wait no more." Obama said, "We cannot wait any longer." So Obamacare is more important than the safety of our troops? Pray for our troops, it's the only protection they'll have with this administration.

Syndi Lou | Honolulu

TEACHER FURLOUGH

TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED

This discussion has been going on for months, but only now when the contract has been ratified are we hearing from people who ask about the children's rights to an education.

People say that teachers should use the summer breaks so that it doesn't impact the students. Do you realize that teachers don't get paid during the summer? They get a pay check because their pay is spread out over 12 months but it is for work already completed. The weeklong fall break is unpaid also.

Were teachers ever given a chance to say which days they were to take off? Were they given the chance to say let's lengthen the school day to make up for the time lost? Or use the waiver days? A straight pay cut across the board?

If you have a complaint, aim it at those responsible: the governor, the BOE and the DOE. They brought the plan to the table and the union agreed to it, but rank-and-file teachers were never asked for input on how to manage the loss.

Our teachers deserve our respect and our students deserve better than this state gives them.

Wilma Mallory | 'Aiea

BUDGET CRISIS

CUT PAY, BUT DON'T DISRUPT SERVICES

Why are we even discussing furloughs as an option for pay cuts? Why should our state's services be disrupted by these service program furloughs, especially education, which has been in the news lately?

In my 30-year-plus aviation career, I have experienced three such pay cuts, not to mention many benefit reductions. It became time to pay the piper, or my company might not have survived to provide me with my livelihood. With the aviation industry, which is a service industry, a furlough would affect services. We took pay cuts, and were required to work our regular 40-hour schedules, so the services our job required were not disrupted.

This is the only solution to our state's budget crisis. An actual pay cut with no service disruption. Yes, the morale and attitudes will change a little, but as the majority will realize, at least there will still be a paycheck coming, and we are lucky to have a job, and can still provide our services to the people who pay our salaries, the taxed. And as with my industry, when times got better, so did my pay.

Robert Sakai | Honolulu