Letters

August

“Netflix—Revealed!,” 07/07
We located the super-duper secret Oahu lair of Netflix.

Was it necessary to publish the location and address of Netflix? Has it ever occurred to anyone at your publication that perhaps the reason Netflix does not want its location disclosed is for security reasons? Now that the cat is out of the bag, I’m sure Netflix will need to tighten up security to prevent thieves from stealing its inventory of DVDs. Good going, HONOLULU Magazine!

—Cindy Kim, Mililani

“The 50 Greatest Hawaii Songs,” 06/07
HONOLULU Magazine’s panel of musicians, historians and music producers created a list of the top 50 Hawaii songs. The songs on the list also played on several radio stations, including Hawaiian 105 KINE and Los Angeles-based 88.5 FM KCSN.

Mahalo, mahalo for this incredible “50 Greatest Hawaii Songs,” matched up with priceless photos, facts and, in our case, a precious, unknown memory recalled by Keola Beamer, because of “Puamana” (Sea Breeze). Never did we hear this moving story about our mother, Irmgard Aluli. He made her live again for an instant. Mahalo, Keola, for that, and mahalo HONOLULU for a treasure.

—Aima McManus, Kailua

Add these songs to your list of 50 Greatest Songs:  “Kamalani,” “Makee Ailana,” “Mauna Loa,” “Na Pua Ka Ilima,” “No Ke Ano Ahiahi,” “Old Plantation,” “Pua Tuberose,” “Sanoe,” “Waika.”

—Peter Brooks, Lehi, Utah

I’d like to think that “All Hawaii Stand Together” came in at No. 51 on your list (as if I’m the only one writing with a Top 50 suggestion). Perhaps it came out later, perhaps you already have a Liko Martin composition. But it has the unifying Sovereignty current in it, as in “Kaulana Na Pua” and a few others on the list. Otherwise, what a tough undertaking, making a Top 50 list! Kudos to all of the judges.

—Walton Mew, Kaneohe

The songs were well-chosen and representative, though I was surprised by the omission of the inappropriately named “Hawaiian War Chant,” (Kaua I ka huahuai) and “Song of the Islands “Na Lei o Hawaii), two of the half-dozen Hawaiian songs which have achieved true international recognition.

—John Marsden, Sheffield, England

“Field Guide: Live Jazz,” 06/07
Our June “Field Guide” showed readers where to find live jazz in Honolulu.

Hopefully, such information will encourage people to support live jazz. Another venue that you could have included is the Cupola at the Honolulu Design Center, where jazz pianist Rich Crandall presents “Head Tunes/Jazz Sessions” on the first and third Thursdays of the month.

—Ken Cook, Kailua

On the one hand, how fortuitous to pick up the latest issue (cover: best Hawaiian songs) that just so happened to feature a few hot jazz spots. My husband Ed was able to catch up with old friends at their gigs, while sitting in on a few. On the other hand, some of those listed venues aren’t hot anymore. One of the jazz musicians who helped build up a venue the previous year told Ed that the issue might’ve been a year behind the times. Still, the local music scene far surpasses that of Seattle’s in terms of content and commitment.

—Carol Banks Weber, Edmonds, Washington

Scrap Yard: Does God Exist? 05/07
Victor Stenger, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at the University of Hawaii and author of God: The Failed Hypothesis, duked it out with Charles Hayes, dean of the University of Hawaii’s College of Natural Sciences. Siding with believers, Hayes states that “there is scientific evidence that God exists.”

Charles Hayes’ argument that there is scientific evidence that God exists is incorrect. His argument, as well as other similar, theology-based arguments, indicates that science has not proven that God does not exist, therefore God does indeed exist. This is not how science works. Science uses real, physical evidence to formulate theories. As new evidence is found, the theories are revised or replaced with new theories. Science encourages the learning process. This differs from the theologic belief in that theology begins with a theory and tries to mold evidence to fit that theory. Theology discourages the learning process. Indeed, until recent history the church violently banned learning.

Currently, the best scientific models, based on the latest evidence, have lead to the theories in use today (the Big Bang, evolution, etc). These theories do not mention God, nor state in bold letters “God does not exist,” but this should not be mistaken as scientific evidence that God does exist.

—Scott Gorrell, Kamuela

AHANA KOKO LELE Attorney L. Richard Fried wanted to clarify a statement we made in our July cover story, “The Best Lawyers in Hawaii.” We stated that a doctor must be board certified and insured to earn active hospital privileges. Actually, Fried points out, “A doctor must be insured to have active hospital privileges, but doesn’t have to be board certified. However, I would prefer that my doctor be board certified.”