Brendt Berger’s art deserves to be seen

There is much media attention over Native Hawaiians expressing their dismay at the depiction of our iwi kupuna in the "Forgotten Inheritance" mural at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Our grief over this mural did not begin a couple of weeks ago. It’s been in the air since the mural’s inception, but no one paid any attention to our disgust. Native Hawaiians were perhaps consulted about the mural, and they may have expressed their sensitivity of it but they were outnumbered by non-Hawaiians in the selection group.

In any case, this was the same group that commissioned only one piece of art by a Native Hawaiian for the convention center, as if there were no talented Native Hawaiians at that time. Thousands of dollars were paid to non-Hawaiians to depict Native Hawaiian culture, history and traditions. How insulting.

To drive salt into the wound, this work remains hidden in a dark corridor next to the kitchen. Relocate the iwi mural to the dark hall and give the "HA" painting by Brendt Berger the breath of life it deserves.

Tuahine Kaleikini
Waianae

Tea partyers not serving the people

Some Republicans claim their actions to enact a new budget that scuttles Obamacare, while setting aside regulations for the oil industry and Wall Street, benefits the American people.

What has happened is tea party Republicans use the phrase "American people" when they mean "health care industry," "Big Oil" or "Wall Street."

Unregulated Wall Street ran amok, nearly driving the country bankrupt. Big Oil polluted the Gulf of Mexico. How did this benefit the American people?

Conservatives had no trouble extending the debt limit when it meant expanding U.S. military action in the Middle East, resulting in increased profits for the military industrial complex and Big Oil. Since the war is winding down, they see no upside to raising the debt limit.

Don’t be fooled. These conservatives aren’t about helping American people. They are lobbyists for Wall Street, Big Oil and the health care industry, cleverly disguised as congressmen and senators.

Stephen Burns
Mililani

Long barrier bad for honu protectors

Placing concrete barriers for 1,000 feet alongthe area across from Laniakea Beach Park will not only keep the public from parking close to the area, but make the volunteer honu protectors walk farther than they should need to ("State fixes on concrete to block turtle-viewers’ cars," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 27).

These honu-loving individuals spend their precious time driving from everywhere on Oahu to protect turtles and will now need to find parking someplace before or after the 1,000-foot concrete barricade to do what needs to be done to protect our sea turtles.

Also, there is no way that these turtle can be caught and relocated, because they would just swim back within a few days.

The state needs to think of some other way so the traffic can flow smoothly around this area and pedestrians can safely access the beach.

Lani Johnson
Salt Lake

Put AC in schools to honor Inouye

Instead of spending money to house the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s papers, how about using it to air-condition our public schools? Wouldn’t this be a wonderful tribute to the senator?

As a retired teacher, I know how vital a comfortable temperature is to teachers and students. It is hard enough to get and keep students’ attention, but having to do so with the added distraction of a hot, humid day must be almost impossible.

I was fortunate to spend most of my career in private schools that had air conditioning, and I cannot imagine having to work or learn without it. If we truly value education and care about our youth, it is imperative that we provide them with an adequate learning environment.

If we need more money, then how about not raising the salaries of state Department of Education administrators. I doubt that they have had to do without air conditioning.

Karen Edwards
Chinatown

Obamacare article left false impression

I think it pertinent to clarify your article on implementation of Obamacare in Hawaii ("Some to take hit, others will save," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 30).

The deductible for the HMSA Bronze plan is $6,350 — but that is the maximum out-of-pocket cost an insured can bear, so any further covered costs would be covered at 100 percent. The article made it sound as though additional coverage would be at 60 percent.

It might be worthwhile to describe the plan that Kaiser is providing that would be somewhat comparable.

Lance Bateman
Kalihi Valley

Carolyn Hax advice was well-reasoned

The Carolyn Hax advice column, "Girl who prefers ‘boy’ items should be loved, not judged" ( Star-Advertiser, Sept. 27) is one of the most well-reasoned pieces of advice on the subject of gender identity that I have ever read. It is correct, non-preachy, supportive and, most important, direct.

For a good many years I wrote a gay advice column for gay magazines and newspapers, including DaKine magazine here in Hawaii. This particular issue was never presented by any of my readers, so I never had the opportunity to write about it. I would like to think that had such a question arisen, I would have addressed it with at least a fraction of the grace and forthrightness that Hax displayed in her response.

I hope that a great many people read this particular column and that they come away from that reading with a bit more humanity, understanding and acceptance of those who may not fit the standard gender roles.

Andrew Thomas
Manoa