While the U.S. and Japan celebrate, Okinawans struggle now to end World War II in Ryukyu, better known as Okinawa, where the U.S. and Japan continue to militarily occupy the once-sovereign island nation 70 years after the U.S. invasion (“Pearl Harbor fireworks to mark 70 years of peace,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 14).

Most U.S. forces in Japan are crammed into Okinawa despite decades of protest and futile attempts through the democratic process.

Okinawans overwhelmingly vote against bases, yet its delegations are systematically ignored by both Japan and the U.S., which demand the building of yet another base monstrosity on pristine reef where endangered species and traditional community survives.

Japan and the U.S. have resumed their alliance as self-interested empires bullying colonies, and again Okinawa is caught in between, making it unsecured as a military target and hindering the local economy.

With almost one in three Okinawan civilians killed in the U.S.- Japan war, Okinawans now show evidence that there are no such things as “good” or “short” wars.

Pete Shimazaki Doktor
Moanalua

Art is yeast that makes academic bread rise

It is wonderful to see that some of Hawaii’s public schools benefit from the national Turnaround Arts program (“It starts with art,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 13).

The exaggerated and one-sided push for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our schools today will only work when that spark of creativity — the arts — is added (STEAM).

Nanea Kalani’s article presents just a smidgen of some of the hard evidence of results from this program and other arts-infused educational programs: “23 percent improvement in math proficiency and a 13 percent increase in reading … attendance also improved, while student disciplinary problems decreased.”

These and other measurable statistics have been known for decades, but too many parents, teachers, administrators and politicians still think art is a luxury and an add-on only for privileged schools. Improvement in our public educational system will only happen when we can acknowledge that the creativity and joy of making art — visual and performing — is the yeast that makes the academic bread rise.

Van James
Visual arts teacher, Honolulu Waldorf School
Hawaii Kai

Create ag parks where homeless can work

Gov. David Ige has said that one of his cornerstones is to promote greater agricultural self-sufficiency for our state.

As part of creating ag parks for legitimate farmers, why not set aside an adjacent area for the homeless, with clean, sanitary housing and secure perimeters?

Residents would need to contribute a minimum number of farm work hours per day to qualify for staying. Families with children could get priority, as I believe the farming life is healthy and rewarding for all ages. Fewer hours of farm work would be required of those with jobs.

Farm products would not be sold to the public but rather provide food for a resident’s kitchen. Children could be bused to schools or home-schooled. Residents gaining farm experience could work for commercial farms, in line with Ige’s goal of self-sufficiency for the islands.

Rodney Mow
Mililani

‘Protectors’ have narrow world view

I appreciate the effort of the Star-Advertiser to present some pro and con arguments concerning the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope below the summit of Mauna Kea (“Proceed with the TMT?,” Island Voices, Aug. 12).

Unfortunately, these arguments have little to do with the real issue, which is political and concerns the fight for Hawaiian sovereignty.

Some clever and devious minds have cast the demands for the demise of the TMT and the capitulation of the government in terms of a struggle for religious freedom.

It is ironic that the self-appointed “protectors” of the mountain have said in court that existing laws do not apply to them. I find it most surprising that if the “protectors’” demands were met, they would have nothing to offer the wider diverse community. No job creation, no economic development, no improved education in science, no world-wide renown for scientific discoveries.

We can only hope that wiser heads will allow a win-win solution, rather than a lose-lose debacle for everyone.

Adrienne S. Dey
Hilo

Time running out to save Ka Iwi Coast

Imagine your children or grandchildren in 20, 40 or 60 years driving toward Makapuu via the Ka Iwi Coast.

After fleeing the urban intensity of Honolulu, they find visual and almost spiritual relief as they round the curve near Hanauma Bay and continue east along pristine coastlines and unobstructed hillsides.

“Our family had a part in keeping this land open,” they say with pride, “while the rest of Oahu just continued to grow.”

They recall the summer of 2015, when regular residents like us helped buy the last 182 acres of mauka land under threat of development.

Through generous donations, the community augmented city and state funds to purchase the land, preserving and protecting the entire Ka Iwi Coast — from mauka to makai — for all generations to come.

Back to the present: The deadline to donate is Aug. 30.

Greg Knudsen
Hawaii Kai

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

“Hawaiian voices echo in Waikiki” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10:

>> It is wrong to link the primary problem of island overpopulation to the creative and economically important development of a world-class telescope system on Mauna Kea. From most information sources, no one or very few persons were worshipping there on Mauna Kea before this construction controversy was initiated by a few persons with a sovereignty-based agenda. Let’s keep the sovereignty issue separate from legitimate agreements with OHA to develop the best optical telescope in the world, which was also guaranteed to provide substantial funds for education of Hawaiian natives.

>> A grave injustice has been done, and is continuing to be perpetuated, upon the Hawaiian people and the land to which we are all tied to. This is why they march.

>> I’m sure the tourists thought it was a parade for their entertainment.

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“No rush to vote on extending surcharge for rail, Martin says” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 10:

>> It would be nice to just pass the bill now so everyone can move on and focus on completing the project. It’s good to have a cushion. Meanwhile, all parties in good faith could do their due diligence to reduce rail costs. Everyone will be happy in the end.

>> City Council Chairman Ernest Martin is just grandstanding, trying to raise his political profile. He obviously has ambitions for higher office.

>> In the end, the extension will be approved, so why wait?

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“Museum suing collector over sculptures’ legality” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 11:

>> The issue is that these pieces are stolen, not that they are fakes. Was the art stolen from the host countries where it originated? If the seller can’t provide that info, then he owes the museum its money back.

>> Is the museum run by government employees? It pays $890,000 with a promise of authenticity? Sounds a lot like the Wonder Blunder.

>> Actually, it sounds like there is a new regime at the museum trying to clean up the blunders of the prior one. Read the article. The art was purchased a while ago and the museum has been asking for provenance for a long time. The seller sounds like a typical con-artist — provides promises at the time of sale and then does not deliver.

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“Former first lady parts with prized gift from WWII” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 11:

>> Thank you for sharing your history. By allowing all of us to view this beautiful and important piece of art, you have hopefully made it easier for all of us to learn about this dark moment in American history.

>> A generous gift from the former First Lady of the state of Hawaii of a prized and treasured keepsake from her uncle. Mahalo.

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“Ag land acrimony” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12:

>> Black’s Law Dictionary states that an “accessory use” is a “use that is dependent on or pertains to a main use.” What is the “main” agricultural use to which these fake “farm dwellings” are supposedly accessory?

>> Cattle, mango, avocado, lime trees and equestrian uses. Did you not read the article?

>> So a million-dollar luxury residence is an appropriate “accessory” to a “main” agricultural use consisting of a few mango trees?

>> Too bad, suck it up, neighbors. If anyone wishes for the Dillingham Ranch to permanently remain undeveloped, then they should save their money, negotiate a price and buy it outright and be prepared to pay taxes forever with virtually zero income.

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“State hires private firm for security at building in Kakaako” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12:

>> The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health need to hire private security guards to provide safety and health at their own offices. Pretty ironic.

>> It’s probably cheaper to hire private security than to use state public safety employees.

>> Cheap or expensive, it doesn’t matter. We, the taxpayers, will pick up the bill.

>> If they kicked out the homeless and reclaimed public property, there would not be a need to hire a private security firm.