ANNIVERSARY SHOULD BE TIME FOR INTROSPECTION

Mahalo to David Shapiro for focusing on the issue of the statehood anniversary and its sensitivity to Hawai'i, the significance of 'Iolani Palace and the theft of our Hawaiian nation (Volcanic Ash, March 14).

For many local families the quality of life has not improved but has deteriorated since statehood.

More of a caste system is evolving of have and have-nots. High-rises, higher costs of living, crowded freeways, homelessness, urbanization, pollution and proliferation of prisons overwhelm us with the mainlandization of our island home.

These islands have only so much carrying capacity; yet the march to destroy the paradise that lured so many of foreigners here in the first place continues.

This statehood celebration should be a time of serious introspective consideration weighing what has been lost and what has been gained for our island civilization.

Moanikeala Akaka
Hilo, Hawai'i