Mahalo for saving priceless Ku statue

Mahalo nui to Marc and Lynne Benioff for their donation of the Ku statue, which they recently purchased at auction for more than $7 million, to the Bishop Museum (“Executive pays $7M to return relic to Hawaii,” Star- Advertiser, May 29).

What a remarkable and stunning philanthropic gesture. Mahalo also to Daniel Akaka Jr. for bringing the auction to the Benioffs’ attention at the last minute. The greater cultural good has definitely been served here.

This Ku can now inspire viewers of all ages, from all walks of life, and from all around the world. I hope that other philanthropists will follow suit and rescue other priceless artifacts that have languished in private collections for decades, serving only the narrow vision of their owners.

Nanette Napoleon

Kailua

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Dem leader linked to chlorpyrifos

It was a long fight to get the pesticide chlorpyrifos banned in Hawaii. And now Hawaii Democrats have elected a pro-chlorpyrifos lobbyist as party chairwoman (“Isle Democrats elect lobbyist as new chairwoman,” Star-Advertiser, May 28).

Kealii Lopez has registered to lobby for the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA). In July 2017 the WPHA was a signatory on a letter to the Department of Pesticide Regulation in California, which wanted to ban chlorpyrifos. The WPHA was against banning this dangerous chemical.

I feel very disappointed. I had hoped the Democrats would get rid of super-delegates and adopt a progressive agenda.

Judith Pettibone

Makiki

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Unlike forefathers, Trump uses ‘me’

It’s really sad that the president seems not to know the preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Not one of the framers of the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence took credit individually.

Our forefathers, a group of men dedicated to our country, rightfully chose their words carefully when they put forth the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The preamble has a perfect example of “we” — “We the people of the United States …”

Another example: President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, when he wrote it, used the word “we” eight times.

There was no mention of “me.”

This is the opposite of President Donald Trump, who is an egotist. It’s always me, me and only me.

Some would say, “Get over it and let him do his job.” But Trump purposely lets himself be open to criticism because he inflames people with abuse and blame, and so he has a reason to respond with inflammatory tweets.

Criticism comes in two forms: positive and negative.Trump’s falls into the latter.

John Keala

Waianae

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Homeschooling lacks key benefits

I don’t doubt that solid learning can be achieved in a home setting. But isn’t social education, interacting with fellow students, and a new teacher each year, at least as important?

I’m now in my 80s but I can recall the names of my four elementary school teachers here in Honolulu — Mrs. Hennessey, Miss Baird, Mrs. Vicars and Mrs. Gow. And several of my classmates have remained lifelong friends.

Of course starting school can be scary for young kids. But except in rare cases, they quickly adapt, I’m certain.

We live right next to Hahaione Elementary School in East Honolulu, which all of our three daughters attended. Yes, each was nervous the first day, but all quickly adapted and made friends.

At recess time I enjoy watching the kids playing happily with classmates, showing amazing energy as they run around. That sight alone makes my case.

Christopher “Kit” Smith

Hawaii Kai

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Telescope foes block progress

I read Don Chapman’s letter regarding Pele’s eruption (“Stop invoking Pele’s wrath in eruption,” Star-Advertiser, May 25).

I thought that perhaps Pele was expressing her displeasure with the small group who are against building a telescope on her mountain, taking away world-class recognition for her island and providing jobs and tax revenue, which would help everyone there.

Merle Crow

Waialae-Kahala

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Different weekend for lantern floating

I respectfully request that the lantern floating ceremony take place on a different weekend, possibly the weekend after. It’s hard to believe that our civic leaders, military leaders and all of us are not clamoring for this change.

Memorial Day to honor and remember our dead military, an American national holiday, is disappearing from Hawaii while we sit on our hands.

Shame on us. Remember Pearl Harbor!

Honoring our military dead dates back to our Civil War. Surely, we can thank our deceased veterans for preserving our way of life by sticking up for and demanding our Memorial Day be honored and remembered — not pushed aside.

Roberta Sullivan

Mililani

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Right to bear arms can’t be taken away

Just a reminder. The Second Amendment did not grant us any rights. The right of gun ownership is unalienable.

The Second Amendment is an admonition to the government that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The Second Amendment is a declaration that the rights we already have shall not be infringed upon by our government.

Rob Rietow

Nuuanu