SCOT TIES

WAIT JUST A MINUTE: DON'T MESS WITH IRISH

While agreeing with much of what Paul Flentge had to say in the May 30 letter entitled "Historically, first come doesn't mean anything," I feel I must comment on his statement that the "Irish are originally Scots who sailed across the sea and settled in Ireland."

Is the man trying to start a fight, I ask?

The Scotii were in fact an Irish tribe, the Dal Riada, who traveled the short distance between Ireland and Scotland trading with the native inhabitants, the Picts. Over time, the entire tribe migrated to what is now Argyll in Scotland and gave their name to that land.

Eireann go Bragh.

KAWANANAKOA

CLAIM ABOUT BURIAL OBJECTS IS SHAMEFUL

I find it hard to believe that Abigail Kawananakoa actually stated to a reporter that she believes the theft of the items from the burial caves was done to preserve the items for a nearly extinct Hawaiian race. She should be ashamed of herself for making such a ridiculous statement and ought to be ashamed for filing the lawsuit against Hui Malama.

If Abigail Kawananakoa had even the slightest inkling of what it meant to be an ali'i, she would be fighting tooth and nail to ensure the moepu are kept with our ancestors, where they rightfully belong, not defending a bunch of criminal grave robbers.

The sense of history and culture she claimed was instilled in her as a child is not evident. She either forgot what she was taught or she was a poor learner.

I, too, was fortunate to have been raised by my kupuna in Hamoa, and one of the things I was taught was that an ali'i is recognized not by his or her words but by actions.

As for the pitiful comments by Roger Rose, an employee of Kawananakoa, regarding to whom the objects "could have," "might have" and "maybe belonged," we know to whom they belong. It's very simple: They belong to the people with whom they were buried. They do not belong to Abigail Kawananakoa; they never did, and she's delusional if she thinks they do.

They do not belong to Bishop Museum; they never did. Bishop Museum was guilty of knowingly receiving stolen goods.

Is it not ironic that Halealoha Ayau, the executive director of Hui Malama who did what was pono in returning the stolen moepu to their rightful place, should be the one who was sent to jail?

AKAKA BILL

GOVERNOR BETRAYING HER PARTY AND PEOPLE

At the Republican Party Convention in Hawai'i last weekend, Gov. Lingle said, "I will never put the party's interests above the interests of the people of Hawai'i."

By supporting the Akaka bill, she betrays the people (by refusing to ask their approval before spending millions of tax dollars to lobby Congress to sanction and help break up the state of Hawai'i and segregate its people by race); and she betrays the Republican Party by trashing two of America's highest principles: "All men are created equal" and "United we stand."

What I do not understand is why a governor who raised her right hand and swore to represent and care about all the people of Hawai'i would want to break her state into pieces and give away some or all of its "public lands, reefs, territorial waters, natural resources, governmental power and authority and civil and criminal jurisdiction" to a new sovereign nation that would govern "the Native Hawaiian people" separately. This, while still allowing Native Hawaiians to continue to share equally in what is left of the state of Hawai'i?

What did the rest of us, including the large majority of us whose ancestors had nothing to do with the overthrow or annexation, do to deserve this demotion and disruption?

KALAKAUA

RAMPANT JAYWALKING NEEDS CRACKDOWN

I'm appalled at the number of people who jaywalk on Kalakaua Avenue.

While waiting for the B Bus one evening, I counted about 40 citations missed or not enforced in about 20 minutes time.

Why should the Legislature pass laws if they are not enforced? This shows just why and how so many pedestrians are killed here in Hawai'i.

It's time to enforce the law. Who isn't doing their job to make life safer for pedestrians and drivers in Hawai'i?

BE POSITIVE

LEARNING CONTINUES DURING THE SUMMER

Young students can do numerous engaging and fun activities over the summer to improve or enhance their reading, writing and oral communication skills.

It just takes a positive attitude and commitment.

Students can visit Education Works, a store for educators that has an ample supply of resources that can be purchased to be used over the summer. I advised my current seventh-grade students to go down to the store and purchase a handful of workbooks or materials that focus on comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, writing and poetry. Education Works is at Dole Cannery next to the Regal Cinemas. It also has a Web address: www.educationworkshawaii.com.

Students can frequent the public libraries and read books. There are numerous engaging activities students can get involved in and have fun at the same time.

Students can attend tutoring centers perhaps once or twice a week. Sylvan Learning Center and Kumon Math and Reading Centers can provide students with the supplemental help they might need in reading, writing and math.

While students and teachers are planning their summer activities, I'm planning for the next school year. What's to come? Well, at Waipahu Intermediate School, I'll be faced with a second year of restructuring. I'm just getting ready and learning the Hawai'i Content Performance Standards III for Language Arts for grade seven.