It seems wrong to have a constitution for Native Hawaiian sovereignty that dates back to a time before the islands were first united by Kamehameha I.
He was the beginning of Hawaiian sovereignty. The proposed constitution ignores the sovereignty and decisions of seven kings (five Kamehamehas, Lunalilo and Kalakaua).
I agree that Queen Liliuokalani’s removal was wrong, but if we wish to unwind the unlawfulness of statehood, we should go back to only the constitution of Kalakaua.
Only lands falsely transferred or taken after his reign should be considered for potential reinstatement.
Keep in mind that Kamehameha Schools was formed from a land trust granted by a single royal princess in 1887 and this represents 9 percent of all Hawaiian land.
This occurred 100 years after the date being used in the proposed constitution.
Koni Fillius
Kapolei
Proposed constitution deserves fair chance
Mahalo for the editorial, “‘Aha delegates offer a worthy constitution,” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, March 1).
As a participant, I sincerely appreciate the view that the document is worthy. We went through many, many challenges. We all worked extremely hard to put it together. It is intended to benefit all Hawaiians and all people.
I hope and pray that, like yourselves, people will give it a fair chance for ratification.
Charles Naumu
Kaneohe
Legislature has role in governing of police
I am writing in response to Garry P. Smith’s letter (“Espero should focus on guards,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18).
Smith is incorrect when he writes “(Espero) has no authority over the Honolulu Police Department, as it is overseen by the civilian police commission.”
Actually, the police commission has limited authority over the police department. The Legislature has much more.
As former chairman of the Public Safety Committee and current vice-chairman, my committee has oversight over county and state law enforcement. My legislation in 2013 mandated more police disclosure to the Legislature regarding police misconduct. The Legislature is currently looking at legislation to provide more transparency, accountability and civilian oversight over county and state law enforcement.
Finally, let me state that the majority of law enforcement officers are law-abiding, professional public servants. I enjoy working with them.
Be assured the Legislature will be actively involved in making positive changes and improvements.
Sen. Will Espero
Vice president, Hawaii State Senate
Bill would help with long-term care needs
What if government started cutting safety nets like police or fire protection services by 25 percent because funds were scarce?
Not acceptable, right?
But this is exactly what happened to another safety net — long-term care services at public hospitals.
Statewide, an increasing number of families like mine have turned to these valued community resources, including Leahi and Maluhia hospitals on Oahu. When we could no longer keep Mom at home, Leahi was there for us.
Hawaii has not been closing the gap caused by low federal reimbursements that cover only half the costs of care. Now 76 beds and attached services are gone on Oahu alone. My mom’s floor closed and she lost her caregiving team, but fortunately found another bed at Leahi.
I urge people who think a public hospital safety net is worth having to contact their legislators and the Senate Ways and Means chairwoman to support Senate Bill 2064.
Vanessa Chong
Kakaako
‘Climate change’ is not why road collapsing
Suggesting that the recent erosion problems with Kamemehaha Highway in Kaaawa are due to global warming or sea-level rise is absurd (“‘Slow-motion disaster’,” Star-Advertiser, March 1).
Pictures in the newspaper and on TV show that the highway was constructed on a foundation of loose sand, similar to many coastal roads in Hawaii and elsewhere.
Add to this a porous rubble rock wall meant to prevent erosion, and the largest waves that we have seen on the north and east shores of Oahu since December 1969, and it is obvious that the foundation is being washed out from under the pavement, causing the road to collapse.
Building a solid, impervious wall to well below sea level would probably protect the road, but would result in the eventual loss of the beach seaward of the wall.
Spending an extra $200,000 to speed up a report that will not help with the current problem would be a large waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere.
Fris Campbell
Kailua
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.
“Hale Koa’s gymgoers are in new kind of fight” Star-Advertiser, Feb, 29:
>> Vets paid their dues. Whoever decided to change the rules in the middle of the game should allow current members to continue. Do not accept new members.
>> $45-$55 per person per month? These guys served and are still paying a premium for this facility? Where is the love, Hale Koa?
>> I’m glad that parties are attempting a workaround.
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“Gabbard quits her post at DNC, endorses Sanders for president” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 29:
>> I hope that the Democratic electorate is taking heed of what is happening here. You have an up-and-coming female member of Congress choosing not only to buck the system of which she is an integral part, but, more surprising, she is not supporting a fellow female. This has to tell you there is something about Hillary Clinton that we don’t know about.
>> Look no further than the self-seeking ambition of comrade Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard could either support a socialist or bigger socialist. She chose the bigger socialist and now is on the “Look at me, I am hip” radar of the younger supporters of Bernie. Two days on the front page, Sunday talk-show appearances — Mission accomplished.
>> Obviously Tulsi is standing on principle and is extremely concerned about warhawk Hillary getting into office and leading the U.S. into more rudderless, fruitless, protracted wars in the Middle East. Hillary’s foreign policy has directly led to chaos and the rise of terrorist extremists in the Middle East. Even the New York Times says so.
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“Na‘i Aupuni foes say they will press forward with suit” Star-Advertiser, March 1:
>> How will the “new” Hawaiian Nation take possession of “all lands, waters, and resources”? Will the state of Hawaii and the U.S. government hand it over, peacefully? If not peacefully, then the only way is to take it by force. If there’s an all-out war (Hawaiians versus U.S.A.), I wonder who will win?
>> When U.S. imperialism is no longer sustainable, Hawaii will be independent by default. Like, hello, we’re out here by ourselves in the middle of the ocean. The main problem is it will be hotter, with more violent storms, invasive species, an acidic ocean and the rest. … Oh well.
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“Mayor favors merger of transportation ops” Star-Advertiser, March 1:
>> If Mayor Kirk Caldwell has his way, there will no more oversight or control over the rail system than there is now. What there will be is enhanced opportunity for the mayor to divert funding for TheBus and para-transit operations into the bottomless pit of the rail.
>> What do you think is the best way to set this up? It didn’t work well when it was under the mayor in the first place, and it’s not working out well now as a semi-autonomous agency.
>> The fact is city bureaucrats cannot manage anything professionally, to standard. This is why they are always trying to raise our taxes.
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“Sugar harvest commences for last time on Valley Isle” Star-Advertiser, March 2:
>> The end of an era. Sad in many ways, but indicative of the changing economy and lifestyle here in Hawaii. I hope the people of Maui enjoy the years ahead.
>> The sugar operation lost over $30 million last year alone. It’s amazingly surprising that it stayed in production this long, decades after the rest of the Hawaii sugar industry saw the writing on the wall. A lot of folks somehow think NIMBY’s had something to do with the shutdown, but business is business. If you don’t make money, then it’s over.
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“Trump’s isle lead has rivals wary of upcoming caucus” Star-Advertiser, March 2:
>> Donald Trump will triumph, but the Democrats have a death grip on Hawaii. That’s just the way things are.
>> The Republican Party here has been self-destructing for years. Support for Trump is just one more nail in the coffin.
>> Support for Trump shows the rest of the politicians how fed up the people are with government now and how things have been done. The nation wants change. That’s why Barack Obama got elected, but, alas, nothing changed; it just got worse.
