Letters to the Editor
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
COUNT OUR BLESSINGS, RENEW OUR SPIRIT
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou.
The dawning of a new year is always an exciting time, filled with the promise of new opportunities, a chance to make amends or to begin a new chapter in our lives, or just a spirit of renewed purpose.
The coming year will be challenging, to be sure. But we also have so much to be grateful for: the bounty of life in Hawai'i and a strong nation, the love of family and the companionship of good friends. We should use these blessings as the inspiration to reaffirm our commitment to our families, friends, and community, and to do our best in every endeavor large and small. With this renewed spirit of purpose will come a better home, a better Hawai'i and a better world.
Gail and I welcome 2009 with you, and with gratitude, hope and confidence in our future.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann
CELEBRATING THE UNITY OF OUR ISLAND 'OHANA
As Hawai'i wakes to a new year, it is a good time to celebrate the unity that binds our island 'ohana.
The year ahead will not be business-as-usual. Economic realities in Hawai'i and across our nation and the world require that we make difficult but necessary decisions to ensure our limited fiscal resources are used to preserve essential services and protect the well-being of our residents.
While we will be called on to make shared sacrifices, we must also work collaboratively and innovatively to seize the opportunity to invest in areas of long-term importance to our state, such as increasing Hawai'i's energy security, improving our infrastructure, supporting education, moving forward on affordable housing solutions, continuing to help our homeless gain self-sufficiency and protecting our natural and cultural resources.
As we commemorate Hawai'i's 50th anniversary of statehood in 2009, I have confidence that Hawai'i's people will come together in the spirit of unity to employ the same hard work, determination, creativity, humility and aloha spirit that have enabled our islands to flourish and have made Hawai'i so special.
I wish you a safe and happy New Year, filled with hope and optimism.
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Gov. Linda Lingle
OBAMA
PRESIDENT-ELECT'S VISIT WORKS WONDERS
Most in Kailua are experiencing a boost in morale and image as well as business and property values, thanks in part to the new first family-elect vacationing on our fine beach twice in one year. I believe we were one of the first to get our power back on as well due to concerns of the Obama's well-being and security, I'm sure.
Imagine what an Obama family picnic on the west side, maybe Wai'anae, to catch a sunset at a beach park, would do for that community?
Greg KempKailua
FIREWORKS
ENFORCING THE LAW IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE
It's that time of the year when many constituents express their frustration over the inability of police to do anything about irresponsible people setting off fireworks in total disregard of the law. Enforcement is near-impossible since the police must actually witness someone breaking the law.
Over the years, I have introduced bills to return the regulation of fireworks to the counties, where it rightfully belongs. After all, what may work on the Big Island may not work on O'ahu. Once again, I will be introducing legislation to ban fireworks in counties with a population of more than 500,000; however, the argument for an outright statewide ban becomes more compelling due to:
"Culture" is the main reason cited to keep this tradition alive. I don't know of any tradition that encourages the breaking of laws, depriving neighbors of their right to a safe and quiet community, and imposing great risks to pets and to those with health problems.
Rep. Roy TakumiDistrict 36
CHILD ABUSE CASE
MAKEKAU SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED
I join Peter Carlisle in voicing outrage over the fact that defendant Rita Makekau is free on bail pending appeal of her criminal conviction for abusing foster children placed in her care.
The facts at trial show base disregard for the welfare of her wards. The woman should have been imprisoned immediately.
In many criminal appeals, a convicted defendant is allowed to be free on bail pending the outcome of an appeal. However, Makekau's reason for appeal (continued Hawaiian sovereignty) is utterly without merit.
In the case of State v. Lorenzo, decided by the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 1994 (I wrote the opinion), the court held that the claim of lack of jurisdiction by state courts over a criminal defendant based on the assertion that the sovereign nation of Hawai'i still existed was without merit. Hopefully, the higher court will dismiss her appeal.
The trial court in this case could have ruled that it had no reason to believe that the defendant's case would be overturned on the argument of lack of jurisdiction. On that finding, the court could, and should, have denied bail.
Moreover, as a Native Hawaiian, I also need to express my dismay at the actions of the defendant that led to her conviction, and the unashamed boldness with which she claims the right to be known as the ruler of a nation.
Judge Walter HeenOffice of Hawaiian Affairs trustee
