Language falsehoods
The PBS “Insights” show said Hawaiian language was “forbidden in schools.” The Hawaiian grievance industry often repeats that falsehood, seeking sympathy and reparations. It stirs racial hostility toward haoles.
Hawaiian language nearly died because native leaders and parents saw English was the path to success. University of Hawaii professors John Reinecke and Albert Schutz proved that, in 1892, before the monarchy was overthrown, English already was the language in 95 percent of public schools, which nearly all native kids attended.
Japanese and Chinese languages predominated in private plantation schools. To give future generations of all ethnicities one language they all could speak, an 1896 law said English must be used in every child’s main school, but other languages were OK in after-school or weekend academies.
Japanese created hundreds of such academies, but Hawaiians chose not to.
Wealthy, powerful Princess Pauahi founded Kamehameha Schools, freely choosing English language and subjects. Hawaiian language newspapers published continuously with diminishing readership until 1948.
Let’s stop twisting history as a weapon of race hatred.
Kenneth R. Conklin
Kaneohe, Oahu
Best delegation?
Michael Xavier Mamczarz’s letter (Tribune-Herald, March 28) praising U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, both Hawaii Democrats, is right on. They are indeed excellent representatives for Hawaii.
But let’s not overlook our other two people in Washington, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Ed Case. They, too, do great work for Hawaii.
Sen. Hirono emerged as one of the most articulate, forceful and accurate critics of President Donald Trump’s misguided agenda. Her persistent efforts on women’s issues, health care, gun control and protections for vulnerable citizens make her a very valuable senator.
Rep. Case’s proven record of working cooperatively with people of all political persuasions gives me hope that Washington can once again function to help all citizens. Ed has always put results ahead of rhetoric and confrontation; and if the rest of Washington can be persuaded to follow his example, we will all be better off.
Hawaii has four absolutely stellar people working for us in Washington, D.C.
No state has better!
Dan Lindsay
Hilo