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.

Capitol rally a moving experience

All I have to say is, "Wow!" in response to the kū'ē held Feb. 25 at the state Capitol. There were an estimated 300 people who turned out in support of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' position opposing the sale of ceded lands by the State of Hawai'i. The demonstration was a very moving experience, and what I experienced at the kū'ē that morning I will never forget. I saw Hawaiians come together and utilize the traditions of hula and chant passed down by our kūpuna to stand up for what rightfully belongs to us Native Hawaiians.

I was overcome with a spiritual sensation, seeing the Hawaiian flag stand strong as the makani blew. The wind was blowing so hard, causing the flag to fly straight out. The flag appeared to be hung on a wall. Also, the dancers with their pā'ū freely flowing in the wind seemed to gracefully float in the air as they performed. The more we chanted, the harder the wind blew. You could just feel the energy, this vibe that was present there at the Capitol. I get chicken skin just thinking about that day.

After optimism surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court hearing was announced, the sun came out along with this peaceful shower. It was what some would call "majestic." It seemed as if it were a sign of encouragement and support from Akua.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to stand along side with fellow Native Hawaiians and show the world what it means to be Hawaiian. Witnessing all of this made me even more proud to say, "He Hawai'i au!"

Keala West
Kaimukı¯, O'ahu

Nature of drug addiction

While it has been estimated that 80 percent of our state's inmate population has substance-abuse issues and that many of these men and women are simple nonviolent drug-possession offenders, our state Legislature considers a bill that provides for a common-sense study by the Attorney General's office to determine if it would be beneficial to send minor drug-possession offenders to treatment, pre- and post-criminal charging.

The results of this common-sense study would be due by the 2010 legislative session.

Obviously the framers of this bill fail to see the forest for the trees; a more timely response to our state's epidemic of substance abuse and prison overcrowding is sorely needed now!

One factor that needs to be addressed in order to provide for public safety is the difference between a dangerous career criminal who is a drug abuser and a nonviolent simple possession-offending addict who is a criminal simply because he or she is a drug user.

In order for there to be some fiscal relief for the state and timely cost-effective treatment for the addict, we must first return sentencing authority to the courts. The biggest hindrance to this in regards to the nonviolent simple drug-possession offending addict is our state's two strikes in a five-year period repeat offender statute and its mandatory jail time. Five years is the mandatory sentence and three years is the parole board's norm. This prosecutorial trump card denies drug court, mental health court, HOPE – or Hawai'i's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement – and all probation-based residential substance abuse treatment programs.

When you consider that all addicts suffer an overwhelming compulsion to "repeat" an act or the use of a harmful substance regardless of the consequences, it is a common-sense conclusion that addicts are "repeat offenders" by the nature of their illness and not by criminal intent.

Michael Spiker
Honolulu, O'ahu

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