‘King and I’ revival is groundbreaking

Wayne Harada, on the current Broadway revival of "The King and I," left out a few points ("Isle ties shape ‘King,’" Star-Advertiser, May 3).

I performed in two Broadway musicals in New York City. This "King and I" is groundbreaking.

Why? The history trajectory for Asian actors on the Great White Way is pathetic. Rarely are we cast, recognized and given awards.

This "King and I" is the first to have all the principal players be Asian. Never before have Asians played the King, Lady Thiang, Lun Tha, and Tuptim. Small parts, yes, but leads? No.

Ruthie Ann Miles’ Tony nomination is only the third to be given to an Asian actress. Lea Salonga, won in 1991, 24 years ago, from "Miss Saigon." In 1958, 57 years ago, Miyoshi Umeki won. Loretta Ables Sayre, in 2008, was nominated for "South Pacific," but did not win.

Ruthie Ann Miles has a good chance to be the first Asian Tony winner from Hawaii. This is monumental.

Suzen Murakoshi
Aiea

Where are homeless supposed to go?

Regarding the sit/lie ban: Where does the City Council think the homeless will go?What happened to the Sand Island project? How about give half of Aala Park back to the homeless?

There is some space around City Hall.

Mary Moore
Kailua

Japan’s neighbors need to seek peace

After the U.S. dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, World War II ended, in August 1945 — some 70 years ago.

I am therefore truly saddened by the article, "Japan can’t dodge its past as leader’s U.S. visit nears" (Star-Advertiser, April 26).

Japan has lived for nearly 70 years with a constitution that prohibits all wars, perhaps the only country in the world with such a constitution.And, most important, Japan has lived peacefully with her neighbors all these years.

Japan participates fully in the peaceful efforts of the United Nations and helps in the economic endeavors of many developing countries. And, Japan has apologized on numerous occasions for her World War II aggression and for treatment of Asian women as sex slaves during the war.

But despite all these efforts, China and South Korea still seem to be restricting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from visiting one of his country’s most cherished shrines. If 70 years is not enough for normalizing relations, is there any hope for peace?

Edgar A. Hamasu
St. Louis Heights

Keeping pair apart clearly elder abuse

What is undeniably and clearly a case of elder abuse is forcing 94-year-old Noboru Kawamoto and his wife of 67 years to live their final years apart from each other ("Care home measure is deferred," Star-Advertiser, May 5).

At 93 and 55 years of marriage, I can think of nothing sadder than not having my wife at my side until death do us part. What about that admonition from a higher source (Matthew 9:6, King James Version): "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder?"

With all that mouthing off about caring for our kupuna, where is the outcry?

Certainly not in our Legislature.

Norman MacRitchie
Kakaako

Build a bike path along rail route

After five years of living in Kapolei and working in Honolulu, I was finally defeated.

I could no longer spend two hours in a car and fight the rage of crawling through traffic while others talk on their phones, illegally use the HOV lane, and use up 50 extra feet between them and the car in front of them.

I made the move from a nice house (with yard) in Makakilo to a small concrete cell in Waikiki, known as a condo. While reading the paper the other day, I thought, "Why couldn’t the city build a bike path along the rail route?"

People could get off the train and ride bikes to their destinations. Many residents and visitors may choose to leave traffic altogether on a beautiful path that extends from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

What a way to start connecting our bicycle paths and endorse a healthier commute.

Cory Marlowe
Waikiki

Cycle track unlikely to ever be removed

First they claim it’s safer and now they say it’s not.

In an effort to mitigate the hazards of the ill-designed King Street Cycle Track, the city now wants to remove some of the parking along King Street.

It’s not bad enough that we have inconvenienced all the vehicular traffic on King Street for the very small minority that uses the bike path; we will now impair the businesses struggling to make a living along the path as well.

Why don’t we stop the charade and call it what it is: permanent. This is no pilot project and our concerns don’t really matter.

Brian Kimata
Makiki

Medical pot’s value is not in the ‘high’

I was extremely dismayed to see your headline "New High" above the fold in Tuesday’s paper (Star-Advertiser, May 5).

The value of medicinal marijuana is not in the "high," but in the comfort and relief that it brings to sufferers of chronic and long-term illness and pain.

Perpetuating the myth, even if only in sensationalized headlines, that medicinal marijuana can and should be equated with being high, is disingenuous and displays a remarkable lack of awareness about the power of the press.

Your headline merely provides those who would dogmatically oppose this proven treatment with more provocation in their fight against medical marijuana and the dispensaries needed to distribute this treatment effectively and legally.

The power of the press is not to be taken lightly.If you want to be taken seriously, write seriously.

Kevin Cain
Chinatown