Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1999 — HISTORY LESSON [ARTICLE]

HISTORY LESSON

In pre-World War II Germany, desperate people signed up to build prisons. They were told to be happy for work and were threatened with jail if they caused disruption. We know the rest of the story. Today, the people of Hawai'i are being promised "1,000 permanent jobs and 3,000 temporary jobs" to do the same. Farmers are promised juicy contracts to feed the incarcerated. Lacking the options of those foitunate enough to have education and jobs, many brothers and sisters in Hawai'i fit this description. Humiliated by being labeled "welfare junkies," many try their hand at the world's largest cash crop: Pakalolo. Others fall into criminal acts for survival or succumb to drugs. Now is the time to stop this evil cycle. To do this people will have to use knowledge and creativity. We spend more money per hour on "green harvest" helicopters than on our ehildren's education. The Associated Press reported "the state this year held back nearly $6 million in federal funds intended for public schools, leaving Hawai'i schools scrambling to buy textbooks and pay teachers." Wake up Hawai'i, or watch your children, ffiends and neighbors in the same "concentration camps" you voted for. Rhett C. Koop Hilo OHA reserves the right to edit all lettersfor length, defamatory and libelous material, and other objectionable content, and reserves the right to print on a space available basis. The inclusion ofa letter author's title is a courtesy extended by Ka Wai Ola and does not constitute validation or recognition ofthe writer as such. All letters must be typed, signed and not exceed 200 words. Send letters to Ka Wai Ola o OHA, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu, H1 96813. Readers ean also e-mail their letters to oha@aloha.net. ■