OHA study not fair to Hawaiians

That any person in the criminal justice system with even a single drop of native Hawaiian blood would be considered a native Hawaiian for study purposes can lead to sought-after, but erroneous, conclusions ("Justice eludes Hawaiians, OHA study says," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 29).

The real story is that native Hawaiians have achieved the highest distinctions the state and country can give. Native Hawaiians have served in the U.S. Senate, the Legislature, the governorship, the state Supreme Court and in top positions in the Army and Navy.

Some of Hawaii’s wealthiest citizens and distinguished members of the community are native Hawaiians. To continually dwell on those who would be criminals in any society, including the Kingdom of Hawaii, does a disservice to those who have had great achievements. Imua.

Barge business needs to be fair

How did the state Public Utilities Commission justify granting interim approval to PASHA while Young Brothers must bear the unfair disadvantage of servicing ports such as Molokai and Lanai at a loss? The purpose of the PUC is to regulate, not to give unfair trade advantage to others.

I understand the need for competition and am in favor of fair competition. PASHA must also be mandated to service loss-leader ports as well. Then a final decision can be made.

What’s fair is fair.

Work to retain top teachers

When I worked at Ilima Intermediate School, I had the fortune to work with both Teach for America current corps members and alumni. I also had the great fortune to work with a couple of other amazing, non-TFA teachers.

TFA is one innovative way to improve schools and student achievement, but I feel very strongly that the state Department of Education needs to develop a variety of different ways to attract and retain top talent to lead our public schools in innovating and improving the education we provide.

Let us celebrate all the wonderful teachers that are out there.

Hotel rendering was misleading

At the North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting on Sept. 29, Andy Anderson and his architect Joe Lancor displayed their drawing plans for the proposed reconstruction of the Haleiwa Hotel.

The artist’s drawing shows the hotel at ground level. This particular site is in the tsunami/flood zone. The hotel and the adjacent cottages will all have to be raised up one, maybe two floors. The artist’s drawing seems a purposeful misrepresentation of what would actually be constructed. I think the developer knowingly presented deceptive artist renderings to get the favorable vote of the board.

For July Fourth, try hoisting flag

Dwight Iwasa laments that the city’s partial ban of fireworks will prevent him from celebrating the Fourth of July, unless he is forced to pay $25 for a permit ("Price of freedom about to go up," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 29).

May I offer an alternative to fireworks to celebrate our freedom?

For less than $10, he can buy an American flag to be hoisted easily on July Fourth (and for that matter, all other national holidays). Our family’s replacement flag is more than a decade old, and we feel proud each time it is taken out and hoisted.

You don’t need a permit, either.

Krugman is a broken record

Paul Krugman has the same message Sunday after Sunday: More stimulus good, Republicans bad.

Two columns of Insight page space could be saved every Sunday by replacing his column with that phrase.

George Will on the other hand, Insight’s token conservative and a class act by comparison, gives a reasoned discourse on any number of subjects, rarely mentioning the other political party.

Move zoo to Central Oahu

We have massive expanses of tropical rain forest in Central Oahu that goes unused. This habitat could be just what our island needs to create a world-class zoo. The animals deserve to be allowed to experience the beauty and splendor of our aina. Do we generate formidable revenue at our current site of the zoo? No. Could Waikiki use that space more appropriately? Yes.