Sovereigntists need to shift focus

The Garden Island Forum is an excellent place for the presentation and

consideration of views about matters affecting our island. Last week a letter

was published, improperly I believe, which was essentially a personal attack.

This kind of negativism should have no place in an arena for the interchange of

ideas.

The letter asserts that I try to discourage “justice” for Native

Hawaiians. My writings have expressed concern about the feasibility of and the

justification for the sovereignty movement, (not even the leaders of the

movement can agree on what its objectives are), but they have consistently

urged recognition of the more important needs of this community.

While the

political aspirations of the sovereigntists may be dubious, there are far

broader matters of concern for Native Hawaiians in economic, social, health and

educational areas.

In education alone the comparative testing results and

the higher dropout rate of indigenous Hawaiians is troublesome. Having a

quality education is vital to meet the challenges of the technology era we are

entering. The failure to have one will reduce windows of opportunity for many

years.

In my view, the spokespersons for the Native Hawaiian community

should redirect their efforts from the questionable political aspirations they

are pursuing and focus on the acute educational, medical, and social needs that

their people have.

I expect that they would be warmly supported by all

citizens of Hawai’i in these endeavors, and I would enthusiastically be among

them.

Although I may have a differing view of the course to take, I do not

discourage anyone from seeking their concept of justice, and I would like to

see all Native Hawaiians enjoy satisfying and fruitful lives.

Walter

Lewis

Princeville