KA LEO KAIĀULU - LETTERS

Ka Leo Kaiāulu

OHA reserves the right to edit all letters for length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they include a telephone contact for verification. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org.

'Tyranny' response

Here are a few questions for the writers of November's Tyranny and Iwi Exposed column referencing Hawaiian religion in Mākua: Was King Kamehameha II's order in 1819, abolishing the Hawaiian religion, its gods, the kapu system that supported it and heiau on all the islands be demolished, ever rescinded? Didn't the Kahuna fully support the order, even to the extent that Chief Kahuna Hewahewa destroyed his own heiau? And were not all of our Hawaiian monarchs from King Kamehameha II to Queen Lili'uokalani, Christians?

If it was not rescinded, then the religious activities mentioned aren't legitimate Hawaiian cultural practices and have no right to access Pililā'au Mākua Military Reservation.

What many are unaware of is that while sins in the Christian faith may be forgiven, breaking a sacred kapu (a sin) of a Hawaiian god usually results in death.

And what's worth noting is that many of us Hawaiian and local veterans trained in Mākua. Further, it's not just haoles being denied training, but those of our families, friends and neighbors, whose bones and lives are far more sacred than anything in Mākua.

Bill Punini Prescott
Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 849
Wai'anae, O'ahu

Moloka'i voters

As demonstrated in two consecutive elections, the residents of Moloka'i have clearly stated that they do not support the leadership abilities of OHA Trustee Colette Machado. The recent general election demonstrated widespread community support for OHA trustee candidate Waipa Purdy, who won the Moloka'i vote by more than a 2-to-1 ratio against Machado. Despite this landslide victory, it was Purdy who was determined the loser of this race. The problem lies in the process itself – which allows for statewide voting by nonresident voters who have little or no knowledge of Moloka'i issues.

Colette Machado's partnership with the Singaporean-based giant Guoco Leisure Ltd. has proven to be entirely destructive to our island, leaving a wake of abandoned projects and the threat of discontinued water service for half of the island's population. Furthermore it was Machado who gave blindsided support of development at Lā'au Point, a project that would have destroyed over 5 miles of pristine undeveloped coast line, invaded one of the most secure habitats for monk seals, and seriously threatened the water supply of her own constituents within the Hawaiian homesteads of Ho'olehua. The fact remains that the clear voice of Moloka'i has been ignored!

Steve Morgan
Maunaloa, Moloka'i

Parenting helps

When it comes to drugs, alcohol and criminal behavior, all of our children one day will have to make a choice. That choice can have life-destroying consequences.

Situational and peer pressure often mitigate good sense. It is important that the parent has given his or her children the protection factor they will need to make the right choices. Protection factors are learned, promoted by good parenting skills.

Children must be taught the difference between external and internal “self-esteem.”

Tolerance promotes self-control. Children become aware of cause, effect and consequence through experience, discipline and parental role models.

Resilience is the result of self-esteem, tolerance and a healthy, nurturing environment. Although it is a risk factor, poverty alone does not make a criminal. Other risk factors are abuse, neglect and bad role models. Families that have regular outings and promote individual responsibility, cultural awareness and moral values give their children resilience.

Michael Spiker
Inmate advocate

Notice to Readers Ka Wai Ola o OHA will accept for consideration news releases and letters to the editor on topics of relevance and interest to OHA and Hawaiians, as well as special events and reunion notices. Ka Wai Ola o OHA reserves the right to edit all material for length and content, or not to publish as available space or other considerations may require. Ka Wai Ola o OHA does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Deadline for submissions is the 15th day of every month. Late submissions are considered only on a space-available basis.