Travel ban recalls internment camps

I find it most disturbing to be told that I was incarcerated by a Democratic president and apologized to by a Republican president, while presently the Republicans are pushing to do the same injustice to our Muslim community (“Reagan eased FDR’s internment excesses,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 14).

In the first place, it was a Republican California governor, Earl Warren, who pushed hard to get us evicted. He apologized years later when serving as chief justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. President Ronald Reagan reluctantly signed the Civil Liberties Act, providing us with apology and a few dollars.

These results were primarily due to the untiring efforts of the Japanese-American Democratic politicians who returned from the war after suffering huge losses while serving in the 100th/442nd and Military Intelligence Service.

Now who is trying to do what to our Muslim neighbors?

Toshio Miyashita

Former internee, War Relocation Assembly Center, Colorado River War Relocation Center

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Ige needs to check his ethical compass

It appears that Gov. David Ige’s recent appointments of his insiders have finally raised objections (“Search for new schools chief back on after Galera withdraws,” Star-Advertiser, March 14).

The Castle Foundation recently had the integrity and courage to speak out against Darrel Galera by threatening to withhold a $50,500 grant. This follows on the heels of Ige’s appointment of his former campaign chairman, Keith Hiraoka, for a judge position.

What does this say about the ethical and moral compass of the governor, who does not seem to recognize such obvious instances of “the appearance of wrongdoing”?

Scott Sato

Wahiawa

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Red-light cameras aren’t oppressive

John Keiser justified his opposition to red-light cameras through the following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Good men must not obey the laws too well” (“Inflexible red-light law not practical,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 7).

To fully understand this quote, we also should consider what Emerson wrote immediately before that: “Every actual State [form of government] is corrupt.”

Emerson — who was living under a U.S. government that condoned human slavery — might find it difficult to categorize red-light cameras as “government corruption.” Perhaps Emerson would even consider the cameras and its cousins (traffic lights, stop signs, traffic lanes and speed limits) as sensible and completely egalitarian ways to protect the life, liberty and happiness of all citizens.

Also, Emerson could not deny that our government — unlike other, more truly corrupt governments — allows citizens to defend themselves. Any good man can challenge a traffic ticket in court.

I applaud the state legislators who are in favor of giving our citizens the opportunity to demonstrate — on camera — how good they are.

Patrick Kennedy

Moiliili

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Licensing B&Bs would be a win-win

I’m a new resident on Oahu. I spent more than 30 years in the Navy and served at Pearl Harbor in the 1990s. I am amused at the claims that housing is being diverted from local use and the state is losing tax revenue from unlicensed vacation rentals.

Government has only itself to blame. There was a time when mom-and-pop bed and breakfasts were licensed, inspected and taxed. Applications piled up because they were not processed. I bet that if those applications had been processed and properties inspected, permitted and taxed, Airbnb’s 10,000 listings would not exist in Hawaii. The state also would have another revenue stream.

I wonder what group of lobbyists shut those B&Bs down?

Joseph P. Mayer Jr.

Aiea

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Take responsibility for your own safety

My head was exploding when reading the Letters to the Editor on March 13.

Kim Osborn Mullen ranted against the National Rifle Association while willing to give the police department carte blanche to restrict any citizen it deems a danger to itself (“NRA’s opposition to bill plainly wrong”). Given the current status of Honolulu’s former chief of police and deputy city prosecutor, who’s guarding the hen house?

Then Kenneth Fehling said it’s safer to look both ways at crosswalks, but wants taxpayers to pay for many more electronic devices instead of making individuals (at their peril) responsible to look both ways every time they enter a crosswalk (“Crosswalks need control devices”). Every time we encourage pedestrians not to look both ways (with electronic devices), we encourage them to commit suicide.

Then I calmed down when I read Wesley Wilhelm’s letter assigning the responsibility back to cyclists and pedestrians for their own behavior before installing red-light cameras at intersections (“Enforcement cams for pedestrians, too?”). Maybe there’s hope for Honolulu after all.

Gary Macleod

Kailua

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Nakakuni served with distinction

As a Republican, I want to recognize Florence Nakakuni for her service as U.S. Attorney (“Nakakuni retires from U.S. attorney post,” Star-Advertiser, March 16).

Nakakuni’s professionalism and diligence shown through when she prosecuted and convicted former Democratic Party power broker and public sector union boss Gary Rodrigues. Hawaii Democrats, many who are still at the Legislature, highly sought his election endorsement. They nicknamed him the “26th Senator.” Democrats even put Rodrigues on the Judicial Selection Commission, which recommended names to the governor for state court judge positions.

Rodrigues’ high-priced attorneys ridiculed Nakakuni every chance they got. Politicians openly supported Rodrigues. Nakakuni maintained a low media profile and did exemplary trial work. She did so well, that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conviction.

That trial was an example of her effective, thorough and professional leadership. As a citizen and lawyer I am profoundly grateful for her service, ability and courage.

Ted Hong

Hilo