•When Hawai‘i became a state •Mahalo from the Soto Zen temple •Armed to the teeth •KIUC reliability? When Hawai‘i became a state When Hawai‘i became a state, I was executive secretary of the Central Labor Council of Honolulu and state
•When Hawai‘i became a state
•Mahalo from the Soto Zen temple
•Armed to the teeth
•KIUC reliability?
When Hawai‘i became a state
When Hawai‘i became a state, I was executive secretary of the Central Labor Council of Honolulu and state director of AFL-CIO Cope (committee on political education).
As legislative representative of the AFL, I couldn’t get the time of day from the state Legislature. The ILWU was the dominant political force, and rightly so because of its success in fighting the big five and organizing sugar and pineapple.
When Hawai‘i became a state, it gave the AFL a great opportunity to become more effective politically. Republican William Quinn and Democrat John A. Burns were candidates to become Hawaii’s first governor. The AFL Central Labor Council was a loose-knit organization of big and small local unions. The AFL Building Trades Union was well organized and formed a powerful bloc but did little to use this power politically.
When Elmo Samson succeeded in organizing the construction laborers, it changed the equation. His members were mostly of Filipino ancestry and had worked the plantations under the ILWU. Samson was one of the few AFL leaders who could deliver the votes of his membership.
As secretary of the Central Labor Council I was available to all affiliated members for any kind of assistance they needed. Elmo Samson asked me for help in setting up the administration of his organization. As a result, we became fast friends and he trusted me as he trusted no one else.
I told Samson that Jack Burns was a better choice for labor than Bill Quinn, but it would make the AFL a political contender if we endorsed and elected Bill Quinn.
With the influence of Samson’s union, that was exactly what we did. The result was amazing. The doors to the state Legislature were thrown open to me and we were able to get some excellent legislation passed. Next time around, we endorsed Jack Burns, who became the best governor that Hawai‘i has ever had.
Harry Boranian, Lihu‘e
Mahalo from the Soto Zen temple
On behalf of the members, family and friends of the Kaua’i Soto Zen Temple, I would like to express our appreciation to everyone for their support and patronage in making our Obon festival a tremendous success.
To Pam Woolway of The Garden Island in announcing and sharing the information so that our local folk culture can thrive. To Ron Pendragon for his expertise in recording live, ensuring that this culture is preserved. And to the many friends who volunteered and worked tirelessly to make this a very special event. Most of all, to Carla “Tita” Dusenberry, whose command and organization in the kitchen are unmatched, assuring our success.
We, at the Soto Zen temple, look forward to presenting the first Obon of the next season in June 2010.
Gerald Hirata. President, Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji
Armed to the teeth
Wow. I just read the “great” Dennis Chaquette’s letter on gun owners and find his “assumption” of people who own guns insulting, arrogant and disturbing.
Now, let’s get one thing clear: I’ve been certified by the NRA to teach small arms safety and have done so in the past to law-abiding Kaua‘i residents who wished to purchase a firearm for hunting, recreation or personal security. Note I said law abiding as in passing a KPD and medical background check and applying for the necessary legal documents to purchase and keep a personal firearm.
The right to bear arms is a very emotional subject no doubt. So I believe that this issue will probably live forever as both sides have convictions that they are right.
I was taught by my father at an early age to respect firearms as a tool that can put food on the table or when misused can cause great harm. But to brand all gun owners as socially and mentally deficient as described by Dennis Chaquette is pure garbage and he knows it. To spread fear and hate is intolerable.
So, one must wonder if he sees his fellow security members who are permitted to carry a loaded sidearm as just fulfilling their desires to feel powerful or important.
Folks, there will always be the pros and the cons on this subject. Debate it if you want but leave the sarcastic, ignorant assumptions at home. But you know what scares me? Dennis Chaquette is in a position of authority with a badge armed to the teeth with prejudice.
Stephen Shioi, Kapa‘a
KIUC reliability?
It’s so comforting to know, as quoted by Mr. Hee in Tuesday’s article entitled “KIUC trend is towards reliability,” that our power will be out only 0.01 percent of the time.
As I was reading this article Tuesday morning, low and behold, off goes the power, for the second time in one week. How ironic that I would be reading an article about our co-op being so much more reliable now, just as the lights went out!
Take the money that the co-op spent on those 300 bags of rice and put it where it will do some good — like keeping the lights on.
Kris Van Dahm, Kapa‘a
