Papaikou
Respect native rights
The “Akaka bill” is violation of the rights of the heirs of Kamehameha I, which are recorded in the land courts in Hawaii. It is also in direct conflict with the U.S. treaty with the Hawaiian Islands, signed on Dec. 20, 1849.
Article I states, “There shall be perpetual peace and amity between the United States and the king of the Hawaiian Islands, his heirs and his successors.”
The heirs of King Kamehameha the Conqueror still exist to this day. It would be a travesty of justice to the Kamehamehas if this bill were to pass.
The treaty between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii was never abrogated by either side. So, technically, it still exist to this day.
So Sen. Daniel Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye’s “Akaka bill” isn’t legal. The so-called State of Hawaii has no jurisdiction over the crown lands. It belongs to the heirs of the monarchy.
I just returned from the islands back to the mainland. It was very disturbing to see what the U.S. government is doing to the indigenous people of the islands.
Ignacio Padilla
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Give me an ‘H’
I went to the (county’s vehicle registration office) to get a new license plate and was surprised to receive one which begins with the letter “Z.” Everybody knows cars on this island have traditionally had plates which start with an “H.” It turns out, we’re out of “H” plates. In fact, we’re already up to “ZAC” and numbers.
I tried to figure out how many permutations there are of plates that start with an “H,” have two more letters and three numbers. I think there are 675,324 possibilities. That would be a little over four cars for every person (babies included) on this island.
Since this rainbow-style plate has been used since 1991, I’m guessing maybe they don’t reuse old plate letter/number combinations. Still, I’m sorry to not have an “H” plate. Maybe we should start calling it Zee Big Island.
Jane Hoff
Hilo
Not a good message
I would hope I am not the only person who was disappointed by the large front-page photo on Dec. 13, 2011, titled “Holy Heineken.” While I see how this could be a “fun” story to share, I also find it disturbing that we are making it worthy of the front page. This especially after being given the distinction of “drunkest city in the U.S.A.”
These young men didn’t go around collecting these bottles to make their tree. They bragged that they bought the beer and drank it, all in the name of art, of course.
I am betting that a better headline would have been that these three young men gave up alcohol in order to collect and donate $2,175 to the Salvation Army or some other worthy charity.
I would ask that the editor make better use of newspaper and promote a more positive message to the readers.
Lori Amavisca
Papaikou