Obama’s actions popular, if he is not

It’s been widely reported that 53 percent of Americans disapprove of President Obama’s handling of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. When the same Washington Post-ABC News poll respondents were asked about what the federal government actually did, 56 percent said they supported the proposed six-month moratorium on new deep-water drilling. Also, 56 percent said the federal government should pursue criminal charges against BP and other companies involved, which the Justice Department has already begun. In a separate CNN poll, 82 percent approve of the $20 billion escrow fund that the Obama administration strong-armed BP into creating to compensate Gulf residents and businesses.

What explains how a majority of people can disapprove of the president’s overall handling of a crisis while simultaneously approving of his actions taken to handle the crisis? Probably misdirected anger at the whole situation, and the convenience of blaming the federal government. What explains why the media fail to delve into the details and challenge assumptions? There are no good answers to that question.

Kamehameha should be more transparent

Does any other Hawaiian feel distrust toward those running Kamehameha Schools? It’s time for the Hawaiian people to demand transparency from Kamehameha.

We should have wait lists that are posted so we can see where our children are on the list. If children are willing to relocate in order to obtain an education, they should be allowed to do so, and be accepted at the various campuses.

Because Kamehameha segregates us into different "regions," one wonders if they exhausted every Hawaiian applicant from every region, and each gender, before they admitted a non-Hawaiian. With transparency, we wouldn’t need to waste our mana wondering about such rubbish! It’s about time our children lawyer up and sue for the right to attend.

Hawaiian blood is only qualification needed

I am very disappointed that Kamehameha Schools has admitted yet another non-native Hawaiian to the school, when there are, indeed, many qualified native Hawaiians who have tried to get in without success. ("Third non-Hawaiian admitted to Kamehameha," Star-Advertiser, July 10). I wholeheartedly agree with Wise Nicola Sr., and join in his concern about the school’s future admission policies and what that means in regard to the intent of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s will.

Native Hawaiians must always have preference. Like Mr. Nicola’s children, family and friends of mine have also tried repeatedly to get their children into Kamehameha, and have the only necessary "qualification"—they are native Hawaiians—and yet they have not been accepted into a school created for them.

Most of these children do well in school, are well-rounded with extracurricular activities such as band and sports, and yet, for whatever reason, they have been declined. I have heard so many sad stories of rejection, so when I hear that non-native Hawaiians have been accepted, I am outraged.

Taxes help motorists more than bus riders

I have a different take on John Shupe’s letter ("Riders should support TheBus," July 9).

I am sure the taxpayer cost to accommodate individuals’ cars is far above what vehicle registration covers: new highways, streets and roads, altering existing roadways, traffic lights, pedestrian bridge walkways, highway lighting, police and tow-truck patrols, bridges, building and maintaining tunnels, guard rails and other infrastructure, daily coning and removal for traffic during rush hours, etc. Taxpayers subsidize every car driver at a very high entitlement cost. This right is taken without guilt or appreciation. Potholes are drivers’ No. 1 outrage about entitlements gone amok.

I agree that bus riders shouldn’t grumble about rate increases because TheBus is still a bargain and convenience for virtually everybody, users and non-users.

Seniors should pay more for bus service

The adult monthly bus pass has increased by 50 percent ($40 to $60) and an individual ticket has increased 25 percent ($2 to $2.50). The youth fares have also increased. What is done is done, but it would be nice if further fare increases will be far in the future.

Some may not have noticed, but the senior fare of $30 per year—yes, per year—has not increased at all. I call on our seniors to lobby for a rate increase so that they too can do a bit of their fair share by helping out our island home. How about $20 a month for seniors? That is one-third the adult pass so it gives them a very significant discount, but will allow them to feel and show some much needed aloha.

Yes, I know some seniors have limited income, but so do many adults and youths and many seniors are better off financially than they are. Let’s all do our part!