OKINAWANS' ARRIVAL OMITTED IN TIMELINE

I read with interest about the Japanese emperor's visit to Hawai'i in the special section of The Advertiser on Tuesday. I would like to know why the "Japanese" Okinawans were omitted in the "Japanese in Hawai'i" timeline provided by the Japanese Cultural Center.

The 5,000-plus sugar contract workers from Okinawa first arrived in Hawai'i in 1900, but this date and the Okinawan immigrants were not recognized in the timeline. I just wonder about how the "subtle" prejudice surfaces when it comes to the Okinawans; Are they not regarded as "Japanese," too?

Ray Higa | Wahiawa

ANN KOBAYASHI

ABILITY TO UNITE FACTIONS RESPECTED

With no disrespect meant toward Matt Matsunaga, The Advertiser editorial (July 12) saying Ann "Kobayashi also has a history of being at the center of the council's chronic factionalism and in-fighting, something the city cannot afford in the months ahead," is simply without merit.

Mr. Matsunaga, in this very paper (Sept. 16, 2008) described Ms. Kobayashi as "fiscally prudent" and lauded her ability to build consensus across partisan lines.

Matsunaga also said, "Ann is a veteran politician with terrific people skills. She can bring together opposing factions to achieve a consensus, which is an absolute necessity in today's political word of opposite views. ... One person whose word you can always trust is Ann Kobayashi. She's always kept her word; that's what I remember about her."

For more than 25 years, Ann Kobayashi has been the voice of reason; as an advocate for many worthy causes, as a state senator, later in government, and then in the Honolulu City Council. Throughout, Ann has consistently asked hard questions and demanded truthful answers from people who would rather have her sit down and be quiet.

She's proven and independent, and anyone who knows Ann personally will tell you that she is also a righteous, gracious lady.

Al Harrington | Co-chair, Friends of Ann Kobayashi

SPACEPORT

ONES GOING FOR RIDE WILL BE TAXPAYERS

I cannot believe that the state would even consider spending half a million dollars on spaceport develop-ment. In this economic downturn, Hawai'i has got to pinch every penny. We need to take care of our own first. Call me nearsighted, but that money could feed a whole lot of kupuna who are going hungry.

Let's see, tickets for the flights are $200,000. Wonder if that includes a meal, and will they charge extra for baggage? Yeah, I'm sure tourists and locals will be lining up for this deal.

The only ones going for a ride will be the taxpayers of Hawai'i. What are these legislators thinking?

Linda Kaiser | Honolulu

TELECOM

TAKEOVER OF HAWTEL NOT GOOD FOR PUBLIC

I share your concern (editorial, July 7) for Sandwich Isles Communications taking over Hawaiian Telcom, and for an additional reason. SIC has partially built a statewide telecom system stringing together Hawaiian Home Lands acreage where it has a monopoly. This construction is heavily subsidized by federal funds for rural development and serving high-cost areas. (Some of the areas are not so "high cost," as they are within a couple of miles of central Honolulu.)

In paying our Hawaiian Telcom bills and other telecom bills, we have indirectly subsidized SIC. One of the long-term potential benefits of SIC would be as a competitor to both HT and Time Warner Oceanic Cable. Three firms in the market are generally better than a duopoly. Of course it may not matter as wireless telecom providers increase speeds and coverage.

For the above reason and The Advertiser's concern about a small, subsidized carrier taking over HT, I do not believe that it is in the public interest for SIC to take over HT. We would be better off if HT emerged from bankruptcy in some arrangement other than SIC ownership.

Daniel C. Smith | Makiki

AQUACULTURE

OPEN-OCEAN FARMS FAR FROM SUSTAINABLE

Recently at the University of Hawai'i law school, the implications of open-ocean aquaculture was discussed.

Open-ocean aquaculture consists of several giant cages where millions of pounds of fish are grown each year. These privately owned companies market their fish as sustainable options in comparison to declining wild fish stocks, but fail to account for the millions of tons of wild fish used in their feed.

Environmental impacts that accompany larger, more numerous ventures are unknown because Hawai'i is being treated as a testing ground for this technology. The several proposed open-ocean farms are much more daunting than the two in existence today. I encourage everyone to learn about the implications of these new-age fish farms.

These companies also liken themselves to loko i'a (native Hawaiian fishponds) and the concept of the hukilau, but in reality they could not be more different. The loko i'a benefitted entire communities, while these ventures are profitable for few, and the fish are exported from the islands. Restoration of the loko i'a would not only draw communities together, but also serve as a sustainable food source to move our island away from dependence on food shipments.

Alana Bryant | Honolulu

HEALTH CARE

SUPPORT PONO MOVE TOWARD CARE FOR ALL

A recent letter to the editor seems to echo old myths about Canadian-style health care. I have talked to Canadians about their complaints about waiting for physicals and minor treatments. Their complaints seemed minor — less than mine. Sign your kid up for a physical with one of the major Hawai'i HMOs and see how long you have to wait.

In fact, the only reason this reform is becoming debatable in D.C. is because corporations and businesses are agreeing that the current system is too cumbersome and expensive. Without their support, it wouldn't be taken seriously. Only the medical industry is against it.

I believe a civilized country can provide medical care — preventative, ongoing and emergency — to all its citizens. Brian Schatz is right: We here in the land of aloha need to be supporting this pono movement.

Richard Schnittger | Honolulu