Novel about Hawaii daring and revealing

Susanna Moore’s book highlighting the feminist persona of the iconoclastic Kaahumanu will likely be met with sharp reaction from some nationalists ("Vivid history of Hawaii has feminism at its heart," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 30).

Her novel "Paradise of the Pacific" invites us to revisit the story of Kaahumanu’s subversion of the rigid kapu system. Her focus on women in the Kamehameha I era is daring and revealing.

Rather than labeling Kaahumanu a sellout to haole culture, we see her as a liberating force for women.

Complicity and patriarchy existed in 19th century Hawaii. This truth serves not to bash Hawaiian culture or foster anti-Hawaiian attitudes. Moore shows us that Hawaii’s culture and tradition are deeply contradictory and complex, worthy of both our respect for its spiritual richness, and criticism for its savage cruelty.

Moore developed her analysis outside the university — where all too often robust discussions of Hawaiian issues are met with intimidation. Knowledge is enhanced only when writers and scholars feel free to travel to the most complicated parts of our history and ourselves.

Nancie Caraway
Manoa

Follow MacArthur’s advice about war

Did anyone notice the big gap between today’s politicians and the World War II general on lessons for the future in the editorial package on the World War II surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri ("The Signing," Insight, Star-Advertiser, Aug. 30)?

U.S. Reps. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Mark Takai (D, Hawaii) advised the nuclear-armed U.S. to prepare for war earlier than later against aggression for peace in the Asia-Pacific region, especially by rising nuclear-armed China ("Reflections on war and peace in the Pacific").

However, in 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur advised that technological advances made reliance upon war for peace no longer viable.

He said it was "basically (a) theological problem" and called for engaging "advances in science, art, literature, and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. … It must be for spirit if we are to save the flesh."

In 1955, MacArthur told the American Legion that "the next great advance in civilization cannot take place until war is abolished. … (It is) a hard core one for decision by the masses whose survival is at stake. … The leaders are the laggards. … We must break out of the straitjacket of the past."

Whose advice will we follow?

Glenn D. Paige

Chairman,Center for Global Nonkilling

Snyder Hall was long overdue for a rebuild

No one should work in a building when its interior and equipment have collapsed to the point where an air-conditioner unit is dripping water over an electrical box or mold is growing on jalousie window louvres ("In dire need," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 31).

University of Hawaii’s Snyder Hall will finally have a new home after not having vital upgrades done since the building was built in 1962.

Various obstacles, such as awarding contracts to the lowest bidder and failing to secure renovation funds from the Legislature, led to many unbearable conditions, despite the urgency and being near the top of the university’s priority list.

Health and safety issues should always be a high priority in all work environments. Funds need to be available at all times and repairs done in a timely manner. Running up costs in millions or even billions of dollars can be prevented. Accountability matters most.

Alexis M. Liftee
Nuuanu

Promised savings on utility bills laughable

I almost choked when I read the article regarding NextEra’s new filing ("Company trying to buy Hawaiian Electric responds to critics," Star-Advertiser, Sept 1).

The front page showed an average savings of $372 for Oahu residential customer over five years, if we trade the frying pan for the fire.

That’s so laughable — about $74 a year. Oh my gosh, how could the utility even dare to publish those numbers?

Then I continued reading and on the last page, NextEra Hawaii President Eric Gleason is quoted, "We can’t promise customer bills will go down. We need to get off oil and that’s going to take time."

Yes, we need time — and the time we need is the time it will take for NextEra to exit our islands.

Rex Dubiel
Haleiwa

It seems state officials are easy to snooker

The state Department of Transportation is suing Ciber Inc. over failure to set up a new computer system for the state highways system.

The real failure, again, is the state not properly vetting a company to which it was going to pay lots of money. It seems to be another incident of going with the cheapest deal, along with succumbing to Ciber Inc.’s "use of lobbyists and inappropriate political influence."

Will the state ever learn that you get what you pay for? The least expensive is not always the best choice. And, lobbyists are just that. Lobbyists. Ignore them and think it through.

Debbie Aldrich
Haleiwa

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.

"Upgrades finally on the way for UH’s Snyder Hall" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 31:

>> The condition of this building is "par" for Hawaii government, whether it’s the University of Hawaii, parks, restrooms, roads, sewer system, the stadium, buses, anything except the legislators’ offices. This is how the train will look, too.

>> Let’s not be so quick to blame the UH facilities people. The fault lies partially with our stingy legislators, who can afford to send their kids and grand-kids to mainland schools.

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"Mayor enacts law on car sharing" Star-Advertiser, Aug. 31:

>> This is the beginning of the future, where few will own cars, as they are an expensive and wasteful resource. Society will change in unimagined ways.

>> I am apprehensive about the fees and permitting structure and whether it will be cost-effective for business providers to embrace a business model proposed by the city. There are some management and enforcement issues that still need to scrutinized.

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"Lawmaker fined over fundraisers" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 1:

>> Get slapped on the wrist and pay $1,000. Big deal.

>> He didn’t plead guilty, he pleaded no contest, which essentially is guilty.

>> Just what does he mean when he says, "I take full responsibility"? Apparently, nothing.

>> Here’s another one: "miscommunication." And my favorite: "oversight."

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"Odd lights not work of aliens" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 1:

>> I am soooo disappointed.

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"Connector audit cites officials’ ‘ineptitude’" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2:

>> If this was a private business, someone would be fired.

>> It sort of is a private business. Just outside of private and public sector, it’s what is called "quasi-public." It has a board (with political connections or other such "qualifications") whose members selected the CEO.

>> We’ve seen this before: a sole-source contract issued for an amount not requiring bids, followed by extensions that run into the millions.

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"DOE’s budget to air-condition schools is paltry" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 2:

>> Our school recently installed ceiling fans, but they aren’t doing much. Kids are still coming out of class drenched in sweat.

>> I feel for the kids. I offered to buy a few AC units for my kid’s school, but they said the system couldn’t handle it.

>> In the meantime, all of the teachers are cooking in their saunas all day. At least the students get to move around to different classes. Some have AC, most don’t. Can’t get much done because we are so exhausted when we get home.

>> Here’s another solution: Close school during the hot summer months. You know, the way we used to do back in the day. No need money.

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"Cooling units see hot sales" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 3:

>> I spoke with a teacher who had 12 fans in her classroom. How can you run 12 fans yet the state tells us the classroom doesn’t have the electrical power to run one or two window air conditioners?

>> Actually, fans require less energy to run. However, can you imagine the noise in her room? It must sound like a runway. Forget about studying. Get AC in the schools.

>> Global warming!! Get used to it. This is the new normal.

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"Warriors defeat Buffaloes!" Star-Advertiser, Sept. 4:

>> Coach Norman Chow said he finally has the type of players to run his system. After being patient for three seasons, hopefully his system will result in winning seasons. University of Hawaii fans deserve it.

>> Great way to start off the season! It it made the rainy night much nicer.

>> And a big hurrah to the fans who braved the bad weather and Thursday pau hana traffic.

>> That line about being over .500 for the first time made me laugh. Good one.