• Obama-Nui • Backwards budget
• Medical marijuana still not being passed
• Remembering Billy Texiera
Obama-Nui
If the evidence for President Obama’s true birth proves that he is a citizen of Hawai‘i, but not of the USA, then, as a native-born part-Hawaiian, I would also become a citizen of our sovereign country. Then our future will move in the right direction, and history would be corrected forever. Are we ready for this?
Let it be noted that President Obama’s Secret Service protection is of the highest kapu level. Similarly, King Kamehameha I’s special birth status was of the kapu wohi level: to never to be approached from behind, to speak in a low voice in his presence, to enable travel at will among his people, to have armed protectors always present to punish all violators, etc. In addition, as King David Kalakaua traveled around the world in the 1870s to promote the Hawaiian kingdom, so has Obama forged strong political relations with many world leaders.
It would be a great occasion if Obama’s genealogy can traced back to some sacred ali’i nui lines of Hawai‘i’s past. All it takes is some investigative research. Should this be proven, then we would welcome back Obama-Nui as our supreme monarch, to rule righteously over a restored, free Hawaiian kingdom. My greatest hope, then, is that Obama-Nui returns here to his native homeland, remove the lowly pretender Abercrombie and claim his place as the high and mighty King of Hawai’i Nei.
Let the Donald or the Mitt take the bankrupt Yankee presidency. Obama-Nui is our own one, true son and rightful monarch. Ready yourselves for the dawn of a renewed imperial Hawai’i.
Dana Bekeart, Kapa’a
Backwards budget
It is time to reduce Kaua‘i County budget, not increase it as submitted by Mayor Carvalho. The trend of Kaua‘i County Government spending is disturbing, to say the least. Total County expenditures have risen over 63 percent in the years 2005 to 2010 (from Kaua‘i County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, available on-line). During this same time span the population of Kaua‘i increased only slightly more than 5 percent (U.S. Census report).
So, why does a population growth of 5 percent require a County expenditure growth of 63 percent? It is time for our leaders to show responsibility and courage and stop this ever increasing growth of Kaua‘i County Government before the County faces similar financial problems as the State of Hawai‘i Government.
Peter Nilsen, Princeville
Medical marijuana still not being passed
So once again the medical marijuana patients are left out of any meaningful legislation to help with the many issues left unresolved for the last 11 years since Hawai‘i enacted its “Compassionate” use of medical marijuana laws. Once again the Senators passed reasonably helpful bills, and the House proceeded to shred them apart and kowtow to the law enforcement prohibition position and the tobacco, pharmaceutical and other corporate interests.
When is this going to stop? Any reasonable person can go online and see the countless medical benefits of marijuana. The federal government sees it too, as they have been busy patenting cannabinoids and other preparations from cannabis for medical purposes such as its cancer fighting properties. They will benefit tremendously, and you the common citizen will be persecuted and thrown in jail, have a criminal record, be on probation for large blocks of time, and be denied decent jobs because of it. There is a whole industry of prisons, probations, substance abuse counseling, militarized swat teams, and countless hours of billable time for lawyers, prosecutors, police, and court support personnel all surrounding the close to one million citizens arrested each year for using or providing marijuana to people.
So, back to the medical marijuana patients in Hawai‘i. Now we have another year to wait for a chance at meaningful legislative relief. Another year to be arrested at the airport traveling with our medicine to other islands. Another year of being discriminated against because you would rather use a plant than pharmaceuticals.
Sara Steiner, Pahoa
Remembering Billy Texiera
One of Kaua‘i Hi’s great prep athletes crossed his last goalline when Billy Texiera of Puhi died April 27.
I had the privilege of reporting for school and island papers the athletic exploits of this lifelong Kaua‘i citizen during his seasons earning eight varsity letters for the Red Raiders between 1946-50. Billy was all-KIF in football and baseball, while also
running track. He starred for coaches Tickey Vasconcellos, Akio Kubota and Seichi Ono.
Texiera saved his best for competing vs. Waimea Hi as witnessed by the two long TD runs in two 1947 gridiron victories. Kaua‘i Hi won three gridiron titles during his years. The swivel-hipped scatback, only 135 compact pounds, beat Roosevelt in 1948 with three touchdowns. Billy teamed in the backfield with Richard Hadama and Mamo Kaneshiro in the epic battle vs. the California prep All-Stars in Honolulu
Stadium in December 1948. The 13-12 loss was no dishonor to Raiders outweighed 40 pounds per man in the line.
Texiera captained the 1950 baseball team to the KIF crown, batting over .300 in his career. He sprinted for the track team.
We — the KHS class of 1950 — join with all Garden Islanders in condolences to the Texiera family and in appreciation for the Red Raider pride Billy Texiera exemplified “here beside Pacific waters on our fair Kaua‘i…”
Ray Smith, Wheaton, Ill.
