•Conquerors
•Take a stand
•Under the bus
•Graffiti
•Interns gain experience
Conquerors
In reference to your article about Peace Day (“Creating ‘communities of peace,’” Sept. 23), although I heartily applaud the work of Annaleah Atkinson and her friends and colleagues, I have to wonder from what she says if they understand the level of commitment and risk historically required by the struggle for peace.
Those who seek it are almost always non-violent. Those who oppose it are almost always not. Oppression, imprisonment, injury and death are not uncommon consequences of “speaking truth to power.”
Taken seriously, the struggle for peace is rarely forwarded by pleasant social gatherings alone, is often unpopular, dangerous and punished. The clearest examples of this, our greatest role models as peacemakers, were social pariahs, imprisoned at one time or another, and eventually executed in one way or another.
Each in some miraculous way, down the years unto this day, shaped the truth in words still ring, Jesus, Gandhi, Martin King.
So simple, kind and wise these men, who can know if ever again,
exceptional and of such worth,
the likes of these shall walk our Earth?
In visions hope for man they saw, angering those who make the law, when seeking peace and love for all, found they must for justice call.
They walked among with pride and ease, the prisoners, poor and such as these, disdaining wealth and power too, they died at last for me and you.
Jesus, Gandhi, Martin King, love toward all will more love bring. Anger and hate cannot make right. The will to suffer conquers might.
Martin Mills, Kapa‘a
Take a stand
The recent article, “Mufi mum on hot-button issues” (The Garden Island, Sept. 15) solidified my belief that Mufi Hannemann, the mayor from Honolulu, is not fit to be our governor.
In the 2010 gubernatorial election, it will be critically important that we elect someone who will represent our interests and do what is best for the people of Hawai‘i. Mufi’s unwillingness to reveal his positions on controversial issues is another example of a career politician being a career politician.
Mufi, like other career politicians, is interested only in the next election and self-preservation. He is not interested in explaining his core principles and values to the public. We should demand that Mufi and others tell us exactly where they stand on the issues we care about.
These so-called politicians are supposed to be public servants. But people like Mufi leverage voters’ lack of knowledge for personal gain.
Kim Foster, Lihu‘e
Under the bus
Come on, with all of the billions of dollars floating out there and crazy pork spending on failing companies, the president can’t find a way to keep the kids of his own home state in school?
Or at least for the state Legistature to ask the federal government for help?
I thought the main goal of this new administration was the future of our kids and their education. Talk about getting thrown under the school bus.
Leo Landry, Kapa‘a
Graffiti
It took several months of intense labor on the part of the county workers to cut back a hill and construct a very large retaining wall alongside an area of Kuamo‘o Road.
It took the patience of all who drove up and down that road having to stop for as long as five minutes sometimes to allow the one-way traffic to flow through the site, yet it took less than two days after the completion of the work and the workers had left for graffiti to be painted on the wall.
This is disgusting behavior and I would urge anyone who knows the perpetrator to anonymously identify the person to the Mayor’s Office or the Police Department. This behavior will not be tolerated on the Garden Island of Kaua‘i.
Gini Stoddard, Wailua
Interns gain experience
I would like to acknowledge the following employers for their participation and support of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Summer Internship Program: Kaua‘i Nursery and Landscaping; Martin Roberts Design; Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club; Kaua‘i Food Bank; YWCA; and Kaua‘i Fruit and Flower.
Our interns gained valuable on-the-job experience in a variety of fields, including: landscape, floral design, clerical; prep cook, and fruit packing. Of the seven interns, two have been retained by their employers as permanent employees, with two more positions being considered.
These internships were funded by federal stimulus monies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. With additional ARRA funds anticipated in October, we encourage interested employers to contact our VR office at 274-3333 to discuss future internship opportunities.
Debra Matsumoto, Vocational Rehabilitation, Lihu‘e
