The Police Department requires its members to be in good physical condition, and it's ironic that the "top cop" is below the department's standard and requirement.
A police officer in the field is expected to be agile and mobile to handle difficult situations where physical contact is often necessary to cope with unruly or violent elements. The police chief must occasionally visit a crime scene where each officer has to fend for him- or herself.
It would create a tremendous burden on the officers at such a scene if they also have to be concerned with the chief's safety, as well as their own.
For his own good and good of the department, Chief Nakamura ought to step down. He has served honorably, but because of his unfortunate condition, he should call it a day after an illustrious career. No one in the Police Department is indispensable; his farewell would be with dignity.
PHILO OWEN
HPD retiree
KS/BE believes that forcing a landowner to sell his or her land to another private individual is a violation of basic property rights. As a land-based educational trust, mandatory conversion is a direct threat to our existence. We have and will continue to use resources to educate the public on the ramifications of mandatory conversion, which affects all property owners on Oahu, large and small alike.
It is ironic and somewhat sad that Nishimura takes offense to the very diligence to protect the trust that ensured him a quality education while he attended Kamehameha Schools.
Nishimura is correct when he points out that the bulk of KS/BE land under condominiums sold so far has been sold through voluntary leasehold conversion. However, he is incorrect when he says KS/BE calls this stealing. What KSBE considers stealing is the forced sale of land at government-dictated prices. We are pleased with our voluntary conversion program, in which the seller and buyer both agree on a price.
Many Kuapa Isle lessees bought their fee through voluntary leasehold conversion. The remaining lessees who are petitioning the city to condemn KS/BE's land are simply looking for a better price. If KS/BE is forced to sell at a price we consider too low, we maintain that the land has been stolen.
Mandatory conversion is land theft. As Americans, as Hawaiians, and as an educational institution, we have an obligation to speak out against this injustice.
We believe Ke Ali'i Pauahi would approve.
ELISA YADAO
Director
Communications Division
Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate
If Bishop Estate is so concerned about land for the Hawaiians, why is it not using some of its land to house the Makua Beach homeless Hawaiians?
LOIS WILSON
Today, some of Bishop Estate's power and tactics are being questioned by courts and legislative bodies. Instead of attending to the alleged flaws in character and policy, this land monolith has chosen to answer its critics by spending millions on a public relations campaign to change its image.
To most of us the cry, "Women and children first!" means protecting them by removing them from sinking ships and fields of battle. Apparently, it has the opposite meaning to Hawaii's land kingpin. Rather than sending forth brave warriors to do battle, it has chosen to send forth women and children first, hoping that the public will think that the beauty is the beast.
The best public relations would be to stop exploiting its wards and wasting its money. It should use its awesome power for the good of all of Hawaii's people. Educating Hawaiian children does not mean others have to be exploited to accomplish that goal.
RICHARD Y. WILL