English requirment a practical idea but also a form of racism
My views have been described by some as “racist.” True perhaps, but I have never uttered or committed the act of “racism.” Race is not an easy topic to be discussed in Hawaii particularly because all foreigners (haole) are compelled to reject that idea. Native Hawaiians in truth are the only people in Hawaii to be subjected to racism. If other ethnicities are to validate their presence in Hawaii, it certainly could not be premised on racism. Racism being defined as ones’ exploitation of another race in favor of ones’ own race.
When I read letters from folks who think that everyone in Hawaii should speak English, I admit from a practical standpoint it makes sense. But to justify that by saying “after all this is America,” in my opinion, represents a deep seeded and ingrained form of racism that resides within the English-speaking American of European origins.
Guys, wake up. The English language is of European origin. America is myth, named after an Italian cartographer named Amerigo Vispucci. Are you trying to tell me that all who are born or live in Hawaii or immigrate to Hawaii must adopt a European language because you think we all live in a country named after an Italian??
Aole maopopo olelo Hawaii. Much to my disgrace.
Charles Young
Honaunau
Quit destroying our planet
It’s bad enough that greedy people destroy nice coastlines in search of oil but now they want to strip the ocean bottom for minerals? Messing around with nature will only lead us to doom. Look what’s already happened to the beaches and coastlines. Who can predict what digging around along a fracture zone will cause.
We were given a perfectly beautiful planet on which to live and prosper but mankind is still trying to locate more and will stop at nothing to get to these hidden riches. Maybe we weren’t meant to dig them up. This planet can only put up with so much. There’s no question that humans have upset the climate and our land and seas. I suppose we’re looking at the possibility of going to another planet that we can also conquer and destroy like we are doing our own.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona
Thanking mayor for providing what he’s supposed to?
So, I was reading last week’s edition of West Hawaii Today and saw that the mayor’s cast and crew were also credited with abusing the pCard. I thought, at least, Billy Kenoi is leading by example. In Sunday’s West Hawaii Today, there’s the full page ad from supporters about the great things Kenoi has done.
Newsflash: He’s supposed to provide roads, parks, jobs and anything else he can for the good of the county. He is not supposed to have his hand in the cookie jar. That is called lying, stealing and cheating. There must be a country song about that. This is known as corruption.
Richard Allen
Kailua-Kona