UARC

UH TO BENEFIT GREATLY FROM VARIED RESEARCH

Thank you for your Oct. 16 editorial on the university-affiliated research center. The University of Hawai'i is truly "at an important crossroads in its mission as an institution of higher learning" and must approve the relationship with the Navy.

I also have concerns on confidential research as a Vietnam combat veteran, but I also visualize tremendous benefits of research promoting peace and improving human life.

As a graduate in the early 1960s with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, I see the pendulum leaning heavily on the positive side.

The Navy is involved in energy development, waste disposal, environment in close quarters, food storage and preparation, water purification and storage, issues on family life, conflict resolution, various marine research and public education.

Research in these areas only improves UH's positive position in the world community. The university must establish the UARC as a part of its total spectrum of higher education.

KAWAI NUI

MARSH HOLDUP LIES WITH STATE DLNR, NOT CITY

This is in response to Linda Paul's Oct. 16 letter, "Marsh suffers as city, state play hot potato."

The city is not blackmailing the state. It's DLNR that is holding up the transfer. The "hot potato" is being tossed between DLNR's own Division of Forestry and Wildlife and its Engineering Division, not the city.

In 1998, the Legislature adopted Act 47, Session Laws of Hawai'i 1998, to transfer Kawai Nui Marsh in fee to the state along with the flood control operation and maintenance responsibility within the marsh, which includes the levee and parcel 22.

Given her concern over the stewardship of the marsh, we would like to invite her and her organization to help maintain the marsh by adopting it. It would set a great example for the community.

CURBSIDE RECYCLING

SURPRISING A BIG CITY LACKS ESSENTIAL SERVICE

When I was blessed to spend time in Hawai'i, I was surprised Honolulu didn't promote recycling by ensuring a curbside pickup was available.

I was inspired by the active recycling of a well-known local and dear late friend, who believed the globe we reside upon is an island, and from whom I learned where to bring my items. It was tedious, messy and noisy and took space; however, the satisfaction from knowing my returnables weren't being piled in a landfill or worse was most certainly worth the effort it took to recycle my paper, cans and bottles.

I missed the curbside recycling I took for granted here in Vancouver, Canada. Recycling is an essential service on our planet Earth.

CAR THEFTS

PARENTS LEAVING KIDS IN CAR EQUALS NEGLECT

I am writing in regard to these parents who are constantly leaving their children in parked vehicles with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. They are probably one of the many who said, "I would never do that" the last time something like this happened.

Maybe these parents should be held accountable for their actions. Does that not constitute "child neglect"? Would you take your child to the carnival and let them run wild without supervision? It's the same thing with leaving them in a running vehicle.

RADFORD FOOTBALL

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BY BOYS IS INSPIRING

Stacy Kaneshiro's story on the achievements of Radford's football players gave me an unexpected boost ("Radford football players making grade off field," Oct. 18). It was perhaps the most inspiring story I have read in a long time. To coach Fred Salanoa, and to players Ryan Burciaga, Russell Wantowski, Fil Samson, Bronson Leafa, Joe Brundidge and the rest, my best congratulations! Your stories of academic and athletic achievement should be noted by every football coach and every teacher in this state and the other 49.

HONOLULU

'WOWIE,' WE REALLY HAVE LOTS TO CELEBRATE

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's new battle cry for our city is, "Wow Honolulu!" (Oct. 9 commentary) And, of course, it's also the home of the world's youngest millionaire golf diva, Michelle Wie. So, it appears we really have something to celebrate because when you put those two facts together, it makes Honolulu a city of "Wowie!" (OK, I'll go back to work now.)

MICHELLE WIE

CHANNEL ANGER OVER REPORTER INTO ACTION

Many people are upset about Michelle Wie's misfortune in her debut as a pro. I think that sentiment should be aimed in a sensible direction. Michelle and her caddy made a mistake and officials were correct to disqualify her. I'd fire the caddy, but that's Michelle's decision. One can argue about the rules, but that would be a waste of time and none of us can change them.

Some Internet blogs say that blaming Michael Bamberger, the Sports Illustrated reporter who brought the violation to the officials, would be like blaming the messenger. I disagree and contend that the timing of his report proved he acted in a despicable manner. He, or anyone who suspects a violation, should indeed report it. However, unless one's intention is to have a player disqualified, one should report it right away.

I canceled my subscription to Sports Illustrated last year for various reasons. I recently threw out my stash of swimsuit editions. I never intend to buy another issue unless Bamberger is fired or receives other appropriate discipline. I wish everyone in this state would do the same.

NEED IS GREAT IN HAWAI'I FOR MORE QUALIFIED TRANSLATORS

Gordon Pang’s Oct. 4 story “Language barrier endangers new immigrants in emergencies” tells a story that is repeated all too often in Hawai‘i, not only in cases of natural disasters, but also in courtrooms, prisons, emergency rooms and police stations throughout the state.

Having been an interpreter and translator in Hawai‘i for more than two decades, I have been inside most of the prisons and courtrooms, and have visited the Pearl City Police Station and the emergency rooms of several hospitals in the wee hours, largely to help solve the kinds of problems analyzed by Pang in his article.

Qualified interpreters in the court system are as critical to bringing justice to non-English-speaking people as judges, juries and attorneys. In the past two decades I have accumulated a book full of anecdotes, including the case of one Brazilian man who spent three days in jail because his wife thought to “press charges” meant to pay with a credit card.

I translated at the (successful) parole hearing of a Guatemalan man who had spent six months in Hälawa, solely because he had not been provided with an interpreter during that time. I am vice president of HIAN, the Hawai‘i Interpreter Action Network, and we are in a position to provide qualified interpreters, quickly, for a variety of situations, including those detailed in Pang’s article.

More can be done to ensure that qualified interpreters are available
and can be relied upon. Unfortunately, Hawai‘i is one of the few states that do not have interpreter/translator certification. We have a few certified interpreters, but they have had to travel to other states, at their expense, to take the requisite exams.

HIAN was instrumental in getting the Interpreter Certification Bill introduced in the Legislature this year, and the bill passed the Senate. We are hopeful that the bill will pass the House during the next session, providing Hawai‘i with certified, qualified interpreters in order to face a variety of situations such as those enumerated by Pang.