ADVISORY COMMITTEE

STENDER ROLE ON PANEL PREDATED AKAKA BILL

I take issue with the way Mr. William Burgess (Focus, Sept. 2) characterized my involvement as a member of the Hawai'i State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights several years ago.

At the time I was appointed, more than 15 years ago, I was not a member of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. My service came before the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act (Akaka bill) was ever introduced in Congress.

I accepted the appointment to advise the USCCR about civil rights issues in Hawai'i because I felt it was important to educate others about Native Hawaiian rights. Mr. Burgess, on the other hand, serves only to advance his own personal and litigious agenda against the Native Hawaiian culture. His narrow-minded and exclusive views are an affront to the vast majority of people in Hawai'i who support the Akaka bill and the efforts of the Native Hawaiian people to perpetuate our culture.

SUPERFERRY

PROTESTERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ACTIONS

The Kaua'i protesters should be ashamed of the way they acted.

The people who rode the Superferry should not have been subjected to their anger. They were only trying to experience another mode of transportation that may be a benefit for all.

If protesters are concerned about whales and the environment, they should stop the whale and shark tour operators until they submit an EIS.

Maybe we should stop all commerce that involves people and the environment until an EIS is submitted for all such activities to protect the 'aina.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND TRAFFIC WOULD NOT INCREASE

For those opposing the Superferry because you think it will increase traffic on Maui and Kaua'i, consider this: 110 vehicles will arrive on Kaua'i and Maui. On the return trip, 110 cars will depart Kaua'i and Maui.

After completing a roundtrip, the total number of cars on Maui and Kaua'i has not changed. The only traffic increase will be at the harbors entrances before departure or arrival of the Superferry.

So what is all the big fuss about?

'AIKAHI

MENTAL-HEALTH PATIENTS SHOULD NOT BE FEARED

I am appalled at the negative reaction to a planned mental-health treatment facility near 'Aikahi Elementary School (" 'Aikahi residents reject facility," Sept. 1).

Somehow, residents perceive that all mental-health patients are dangerous creatures.

This is simply untrue. According to the story, these are people on the road to recovery and specifically do not include sex offenders nor violent individuals.

Mental illness covers a wide spectrum of disorders and many people are able to recover and lead full and normal lives. It is better that they get chance to do so in a welcoming neighborhood that shows aloha, rather than irrational fear.

I, too, live near the elementary school. I, too, have a young child.

Nonetheless I do not fear bringing the mentally ill into our neighborhood. Statistics have shown that you are in more danger from those you know than from strangers.

UH FOOTBALL

CONCESSION STANDS INADEQUATE AT STADIUM

I have attended University of Hawai'i football games since 1975 and sit in the upper level, makai sideline.

It was frustrating at the Sept. 1 game because there was only one concession stand with full service, and the other stand on the makai side and the end zone stands either sold out or did not sell drinks or snacks as in the past.

It was not as if the stadium did not anticipate the increase in fans expected for the game.

If Aloha Stadium is promoting a more customer-friendly image, they need to treat customers in all sections and levels equally and provide the same services for all fans.

Imagine the chaos if this had been the Washington or Boise State game.

POLITICS

OPPOSITION TO CIVIL RIGHTS IS NOT JUSTIFIABLE

Sen. Mike Gabbard has a history of inciting fear and prejudice and, as we said in our letter to Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, a history of taking the lead in a number of intolerant and divisive initiatives against civil rights.

In light of his switch to the Democratic Party, we sincerely hope that the current leadership of the Democratic Party in Hawai'i will redouble their efforts to stand up for the democratic principles that Sen. Gabbard has so consistently sought to deny to many of Hawai'i's citizens.

Finally, I'd like to stress that it is our belief that Sen. Gabbard's systematic opposition to civil rights is not a justifiable position for any political party; Democrat, Republican or any other.