STATEHOOD

ADMISSION DAY SHOULD BE DAY OF CELEBRATION

The front page of The Advertiser Aug. 14 had an article titled "Sensitive activities will mark statehood." The article stated "the commission has tried to avoid the use of the term celebration" in regards to the Admission Day's activities. I found this so odd.

In 1958 my parents moved to Hawai'i from St. Louis. We lived on Harding Avenue and witnessed Admission Day firsthand. My mother described the occasion to me as a "happy emotional celebration." She said there were tons of people, young and old, mixes of races, in the streets banging pots and pans and cheering tearfully.

I don't understand why we would not still celebrate our admission as the 50th state. What are the other sides to it? What does celebrating our admission have to do with the problems of indigenous people? I think that should be a different issue, addressed on a different day.

I am so proud to be from the 50th state; please, let us all celebrate.

HTA

DIRECTOR'S LEADERSHIP SERVED HAWAI'I WELL

The HTA board's treatment of Rex Johnson is shameful. Mr. Johnson has admirably led the HTA through difficult times. A few months ago he was lauded for actions to assist tourists caught in the collapse of Aloha Airlines and ATA. Frankly, it appears that some board members are using a minor lapse in judgment, which should have been dealt with privately by the board, to grind some political axes against Mr. Johnson. With difficult times for tourism looming, Hawai'i needs Mr. Johnson's continued leadership.

Perhaps it is the dissident members of the board who should submit their resignations and let Mr. Johnson and a unified Board get on with the business of guiding Hawai'i's tourism industry through difficult times to come.

GEORGIA

BUSH'S REMARKS ON RUSSIAN CONFLICT IRONIC

In remarks on the Russian-Georgian conflict, statements by President Bush and Secretary of State Rice, to the effect that in the 21st century you cannot invade, occupy and overthrow a sovereign government, are indeed ironic. Perhaps the Russians should say they are searching for WMDs.

COKIE ROBERTS

HAWAI'I IS ARGUABLY 'FOREIGN,' IN A SENSE

Barack Obama's visit to O'ahu has garnered wide attention. With the publishing of his memoir and his swift rise to the forefront of media coverage, Hawai'i has also found itself in the spotlight.

The U. S. presidential candidate's birth in Hawai'i was the impetus for Cokie Roberts' recent labeling of the islands as "foreign, exotic." Her comments have been sharply criticized by many as an affront to America's 50th state.

Let us pause and approach understanding Roberts' charge and within it, the American defining of what is "Hawaiian."

Is Hawai'i foreign? Arguably yes, it is. The islands of Hawai'i, more than 2,000 miles from the American continent are the ancestral home to the kanaka maoli who create and maintain a distinct culture that has come to be represented by the state of Hawai'i as unique within the Union.

Can things Hawaiian be American? Are lei American? Is hula American? Is the kanaka 'olelo (Hawaiian language) American? A statue of Kamehameha I is in the U.S. Capitol; is he American?

No, these things are autonomously Hawaiian. They exist within a distinct living history of Native Hawaiians. Hawai'i is not Hawaiian without Native Hawaiians. All the residents and visitors to Hawai'i must realize that "Hawaiian" means those things defined as Hawaiian by Native Hawaiians. Hawaiian is foreign to Americans — they are separated by vast histories, language, culture, ideologies and space. Hawaiian will never be American, because it can only ever be just Hawaiian.

MAKIKI

CITY ASSISTANCE MAKES LOCAL EVENT A SUCCESS

On behalf of the Makiki community, Friends of the Makiki Library, and Hui o Makiki, we want to express a sincere mahalo to the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation staff who assisted in preparations for the first-ever "Rediscover Makiki: Sunset in the Park" held in July.

Much gratitude is also due to Mayor Mufi Hannemann, whose leadership and belief in the Makiki community empowered residents to plan a festival to meet the community's needs.

The can-do attitude of city staff from several departments (including the Office of Economic Development, the Police Department, Facility Maintenance, Customer Services, Environmental Services, and the Board of Water Supply) and the incredible dedication and unselfish service of many community volunteers culminated in a successful two-day festival in one of O'ahu's most ethnically diverse and densely populated neighborhoods.

A joyful spirit of community was palpable the entire weekend! Many were thrilled that the event's activities, from the Library blessing, Sustainability Center exhibits, citizens' resource center, art mural project, keiki rides, free entertainment, basketball tournament, food booths, crafters, and to top it all off, the movies in the park brought well-deserved focus and attention to the revitalized Makiki District Park.