East-West Center can update mission
First, kudos to the Star-Advertiser for carrying Joel Fischer’s provocative views on why the East-West Center should be closed, and its better functions assigned to the University of Hawaii ("East-West Center’s mission changes from peace to nationalistic militarism," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 13).
His article can be useful if it engenders a serious re-examination of the center and its mission. However, hisconclusion seems a bit severe.
There are many examples of institutions founded during the Cold Warthat managed to re-invent themselves for a new age andcontinue to do good and useful work in the present. The center could be one of them if it welcomes constructivecriticism and new approaches.
Sen. J. William Fulbright and the other statesmen who believed in inter-cultural communication and understanding are nearly all gone from the U.S. Congress. Some few remain, but their numbers are dwindling.
If the foundingconcepts ofthe East-West Center no longer find any traction in Washington, the task of redefining and updating its mission becomes all the more urgent. That might be a more reasonable approach than closure.
Richard Dow
Diamond Head
Center offers vital international forum
With reference to Sunday’s opinion piece on the East-West Center: Since my appointment to its Board of Governors last year, I have become convinced the center remains a vital means for dialogue and mutual understanding among people of our Asia-Pacific region. I have observed students, journalists and scholars from many countries discussing and studying issues in the shared belief that frank discussion of differences holds the key to peaceful and cooperative action.
Established by Congress, the center is a national institution located in Hawaii, not a local institution receiving funding from Washington. It is valuable to international relations precisely because it offers a neutral meeting ground for official and non-governmental dialogue, as well as research and education on issues of common concern.
This mission has not changed, but the center today has a much stronger practical and policy orientation. It is able to be effective because it reflects the special values of our Hawaii culture — multi-ethnic, tolerant and caring.
Rick Tsujimura
Chairman, East-West Center Board of Governors
No more beachside businesses in Kailua
As a resident of Lanikai, I have sadly witnessed the traffic increase and beach businesses proliferate in the past 30 years.
Calling these kayak companies a business is, indeed, a stretch.
We can all agree that tourism is the lifeblood of Hawaii, but without a strong residential component, the island loses its functionality. In addition, the town of Kailua does not have the infrastructure to support tourism.
Increased tourism effectively ruins the town for the residents, who are taxpayers, property owners and the people who makesociety function. Making rules that are not specific and not properlyenforced just encourages pushing the limits and ensureslitigation of poorly constructed regulations.
No additional beachsidebusinesses is the correct action. We have the world-class resorts at Aulani, Waikiki and the North Shore that can support the tourism trade.
Carl Oettinger
Kailua
Rail proponents embrace the past
Robert Soberano is the one who needs to clean his "foresight" specs ("Voters at fault if rail allowed to fail again," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 15).
A tsunami of technology now being developed will give us cars, 15 to 20 years from now, that can drive themselves on roads that are smaller and carry more vehicles without any accidents.
Let’s scrap the $5.3 billion, bloated, old-technology, heavy elevated-rail project that will not reduce today’s traffic congestion.
Instead, let’s take some of the money and make a real investment in the future by making Hawaii a center of transportation system innovation and development, with long-term, high-paying jobs.
Let’s not be prisoners of the past, standing still on rail cars. How many will ride the 45-minute rail when you can get downtown in 30 minutes by car?
Mark Torreano
Waikiki
Rail not much use in emergencies
Frankie Kam’s letter was very misleading ("Rail transit can help in emergencies," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 14). A fixed-rail line would offer very little help in a crisis.
What if the rail line, or access to it, were severely damaged in a disaster? Can you imagine the disruption to life and the cost of rebuilding it? Will the rail transit lines be insured by an entity other than the taxpayers?
On the other hand, our huge bus fleet could be deployed almost anywhere on the island to move injured people and bring needed supplies.
MaryAnne Long
Hauula
Keep government out of marriages
Regarding same-sex marriage: Why should the government be a part of this?
Many marriages are done in a church, and our Constitution separates the church and the state. Maybe marriage should be a private matter between the persons involved.
Frank Doney
Aiea
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