Old Hawaii
It is natural for people to reminisce about the old days. I'm only 25 years old, and already feel nostalgia about the good times of the past.
That's totally OK when you're sitting alone at your home or when talking story to old-time friends.
However, some people use that as an excuse to oppose any developments, whether it's a new condo building, a new neighborhood or a new Wal-Mart being built.
Many of those opponents were those who grew up in Hawaii in the 1950's and 1960's and want Hawaii to stay that way.
How ironic, since back when they were children, the grownups (who grew up in the 1920's) already wished things were the way they were when they were young.
People just assume that the way things were when they grew up was how it was before they were born.
If those people were living in caveman times, they would oppose the idea of building homes outside of caves, not to mention basic sanitation, electric systems and other things we take for granted today.
Things change, and it happens everywhere.
In the infamous community of Compton (in the LA metro area), it was once an all-white town. We might find it hard to believe since it's the home of gangsta rap.But when African Americans moved in, all the European Americans moved out. And nowadays, all the Mexicans and Central Americans are moving in, and the African Americans are moving out.
The same happens in Hawaii.
McKinley High School in Honolulu was nicknamed "Tokyo High" 40 years ago. Yet, today, that's not even the case.
I was at that school's graduation ceremony last June, and I hardly seen any Japanese people.
Most of the Asians I saw were Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Filipinos. I also saw more Samoans and Micronesians than Japanese.
One friend who went to Washington Middle School (in Honolulu) 10 years ago said that school was mostly Japanese. NOT ANYMORE!
I worked at Washington Middle as a substitute teacher, and I can tell you that Japanese are a minority there. They're outnumbered by Koreans, Samoans and Micronesians.
The point is, things change! People move out of neighborhoods, other people move in.
Communities change. Times change.
I'm not saying it's good or bad, it just is!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Rape of 11 year old girl
On November 22, 2005, an 11 year old girl was raped by 5 boys in Beretania Community Park near Kukui Gardens.
http://starbulletin.com/2005/11/27/news/story02.html
I have been following this story because the victim and 3 of the agressors have been reported to attend Central Middle School, where I occassionally work as a substitute teacher.
I dont know the names and even if I did, I'm not allowed to say them publicly. Plus, names aren't important for you to know. What is important to know is how it happened, and how it can be prevented.
As the rape was occuring, NO ONE called the police, even this happened in the MOST densely populated area of Honolulu.
Possible reasons:
1) Assuming that because there's many people living nearby, there must've been someone who called the police already, so why bother?
Why bother? Because everyone else is thinking "why bother", so just call the police anyways. Plus, if the police are getting 100 calls about it, THAT'S GOOD. That puts neccessary pressure on the cops to get to the scene immediately.
2) That area has a large number of immigrants, many of whom aren't confident enough in their English speaking skills to speak to an emergency dispatcher.
That could be YOUR situation if YOU are in a place where you dont understand the language.
--------------------------------------------
A letter to the Star Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/03/editorial/letters.html
Parents responsible for alleged rapistsThe recent rape of the 11-year-old child, allegedly by five juveniles (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 1), is a prime example of what we can expect from the youth of today if parents continue to raise their kids in an immoral environment. I blame the parents of the alleged rapists for their actions.
I strongly feel that these kids should be held as adults. If that cannot be done because of the laws pertaining to youthful offenders, then their parents should be held responsible. Immorality begets immorality.
Kimo Holland
Honolulu
-------------------------------
MY RESPONSE (hopefully to be published on the Star Bulletin soon)
I have been paying special attention the case of the 11 year old girl raped near Kukui Gardens, because I occassionally work at Central Middle School as a substitute teacher. It was reported that the girl and her attackers go to that school.
On the 12/3/05 edition of the Star Bulletin, Kimo Holland blamed the parents of the rapist for the rape.
Does Holland know who the parents are?
The reason I ask is because many kids dont even bother listening to their parents or their teachers, regardless of how strict they are!
Remember, kids have a mind of their own. Their minds are not blank slates, though we sometimes wish they were.
Maybe those rapists were brought up in an immoral, abusive, drug-filled environment. But then again, not even kids who grow up in a conservative household are immune from the urges of committing rape and other viscious crimes.
Until I know about their home environment, I won't hold the parents responsible for their children's crimes.
Pablo Wegesend
Honolulu, HI
------------------------------------------
Too many boys think raping girls is a fun game. Why else would they do it? That's why they ought to be punished.
The boys who commited the crimes are currently awaiting trial. Hopefully, they get some time in jail, and more importantly they learn to regret their acts.
On November 22, 2005, an 11 year old girl was raped by 5 boys in Beretania Community Park near Kukui Gardens.
http://starbulletin.com/2005/11/27/news/story02.html
I have been following this story because the victim and 3 of the agressors have been reported to attend Central Middle School, where I occassionally work as a substitute teacher.
I dont know the names and even if I did, I'm not allowed to say them publicly. Plus, names aren't important for you to know. What is important to know is how it happened, and how it can be prevented.
As the rape was occuring, NO ONE called the police, even this happened in the MOST densely populated area of Honolulu.
Possible reasons:
1) Assuming that because there's many people living nearby, there must've been someone who called the police already, so why bother?
Why bother? Because everyone else is thinking "why bother", so just call the police anyways. Plus, if the police are getting 100 calls about it, THAT'S GOOD. That puts neccessary pressure on the cops to get to the scene immediately.
2) That area has a large number of immigrants, many of whom aren't confident enough in their English speaking skills to speak to an emergency dispatcher.
That could be YOUR situation if YOU are in a place where you dont understand the language.
--------------------------------------------
A letter to the Star Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/03/editorial/letters.html
Parents responsible for alleged rapistsThe recent rape of the 11-year-old child, allegedly by five juveniles (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 1), is a prime example of what we can expect from the youth of today if parents continue to raise their kids in an immoral environment. I blame the parents of the alleged rapists for their actions.
I strongly feel that these kids should be held as adults. If that cannot be done because of the laws pertaining to youthful offenders, then their parents should be held responsible. Immorality begets immorality.
Kimo Holland
Honolulu
-------------------------------
MY RESPONSE (hopefully to be published on the Star Bulletin soon)
I have been paying special attention the case of the 11 year old girl raped near Kukui Gardens, because I occassionally work at Central Middle School as a substitute teacher. It was reported that the girl and her attackers go to that school.
On the 12/3/05 edition of the Star Bulletin, Kimo Holland blamed the parents of the rapist for the rape.
Does Holland know who the parents are?
The reason I ask is because many kids dont even bother listening to their parents or their teachers, regardless of how strict they are!
Remember, kids have a mind of their own. Their minds are not blank slates, though we sometimes wish they were.
Maybe those rapists were brought up in an immoral, abusive, drug-filled environment. But then again, not even kids who grow up in a conservative household are immune from the urges of committing rape and other viscious crimes.
Until I know about their home environment, I won't hold the parents responsible for their children's crimes.
Pablo Wegesend
Honolulu, HI
------------------------------------------
Too many boys think raping girls is a fun game. Why else would they do it? That's why they ought to be punished.
The boys who commited the crimes are currently awaiting trial. Hopefully, they get some time in jail, and more importantly they learn to regret their acts.
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