GOING TO CAMP
Having done research as an undergraduate with noted historian James McPherson on American responses to aliens in wartime, I found the article about the Haiku Camp very interesting (“The Camp,” Aug. 2, 2007). I hope they get more information, such as who was on the civilian hearing board making detention/release recommendations, why were some in families allowed to stay and what happened when the war ended. Some Japanese-Americans were allowed to attend college on the East Coast; an older relative had a Japanese-American roommate then.
As a point of correction, however, the U.S. did intern a significant number of German-Americans, including some plucked out of Latin America (early rendition operation). They were kept in camps in Texas, North Dakota and ironically Ellis Island, some even after the war; the last was released in 1948. Also some Italian-Americans were interned in Montana, Texas and Oregon; most were released in late 1942, partly to undermine the Italian part of the Axis prior to invasion of Italy and partly to appease Italian-American unions, politicians and organized influences. (Surprisingly in World War I German-Americans were regarded as even more questionable as to loyalty and were often targets of popular hatred.)
None of this excuses or is equal in scope to the internment of Japanese-Americans in WWII, but illustrates the point that civil liberties we cherish are often pushed aside for any that we see as enemies through a war mentality.
-Robert Faux, Makawao
I enjoy Maui Time, and I especially enjoyed your recent article about the internment camp in Haiku. I hope that the camp is eventually documented thoroughly because the tropical climate has undoubtedly destroyed all physical traces of the installation.
Your article mentioned Italian American internment in passing. Granted, our government’s shameful treatment of Japanese Americans was the primary focus of the internment movement. However, Italian Americans were not spared.
There’s a great book on the topic, Una Storia Segreta. A man with a great Irish last name like yours might enjoy this read. There’s a slew of photographs, and most of them are included in an exhibit in the California State History Museum in Sacramento.
All my best to Maui Time!!
-Anthony Spinetta, via email
WHOLE IN ONE
First I want to send out a big thanks. Love the paper! I feel the need to comment on your Whole Foods Story, though. I find it extremely ironic that in a piece where author Anthony Pignataro questions Maui News author Harry Eagar’s journalistic integrity (“The Advocate,” Aug. 9, 2007), he makes several glaring omissions and does quite a bit of selective reporting himself.
In regards to the union and the Madison, Wisconsin Whole Foods Market. Yes, it is true the employees of that store chose to enter into the yearlong negotiations with the union. What was failed to be reported though was the fact that the entire store staff voted in an overwhelming majority to NOT join the union. In your article it is reported that the labor relations board sided with “Mackey,” not the fact that the staff made that decision themselves. I also question that if organized labor is such a significant topic for Maui and its natural foods industry, why not ever report on the fact that Mana Foods, Down to Earth and Alive and Well are also not members of the Grocers Union?
In regards to Mackey’s postings on Internet message boards. I embarrassingly admit I participated in many of the discussions unknowingly with Mackey. The truth of the matter is that most of these topics consisted of longs and shorts trying to psych each other out; such as “Whole Foods is going to tank tomorrow” vs. “Whole Foods is going to the moon.” Yes, a handful of times Mackey predicted Wild Oats demise, but the fact is he was right. Every financial expert has already said at worst his musings were embarrassing personally though not illegal. The guy talked up his own company while accurately predicting his competitors troubles... oh, the horror.
If you want to report on some of the more critical aspects of WFM, the fact that it’s stock has lost nearly 40 percent of its value in just over a year would of been a good start.
-Phil Schutt, via email
Anthony Pignataro responds: The point of my story was to point out various aspects of Whole Foods that Eagar failed to mention—not to give a complete and thorough history of the organic supermarket giant. That being said, Mark T. Harris did a great job describing the Whole Foods-instigated destruction of the union in 2004 his article “Welcome to Whole-Mart,” which appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of Dissent Magazine: “In August 2004, Whole Foods accepted an NLRB [National Labor Relations Board] ruling that allowed for continued formal recognition of the union, as well as resolution of some back pay grievances,” wrote Harris. “But it was now nearly a year later, and the company’s steadfast refusal to negotiate seriously with the UFCW [United Food and Commercial Workers] had paid off. The single union local in the Whole Foods chain (in a university town with a young, transitory part-time student work force) was barely recognizable as a union. Several weeks later, the NLRB issued another ruling regarding the petition’s misconduct charges, ruling in the company’s favor. The union had now legally ceased to exist at Whole Foods.”
TALKS TRASH ABOUT PEOPLE WHO TALK TRASH
As a long time reader of Maui Time Weekly I have always enjoyed reaching the end of the paper and finding Holoholo Girl by Samantha Campos. It was humorous and I always liked to read about her latest adventures. I knew there was going to be a replacement column when she moved away and I had a completely open mind about that.
I have to say, I was very disappointed with the Restless Native column (“Nothing but a Hoochie, Mama,” Aug. 9, 2007). I thought “Eh Brah” was reserved for trash talking. I really hope that this was just an issue that irritated her and she needed to get it off of her chest, because I really don’t care to read her column every week if she’s just going to be talking crap about people (and she wasn’t even funny about it). I’m curious to know if I’m the only one that feels this way.
-Jill Melo, Paia
PERVERATI?
How devastating to the literati, glitterati and perverati of Maui to lose our beloved and belusted Holoholo Girl. Never saw her, never met her, never forget her!
-Jerry Goodwin, via email
HE LIKES MARTY!
[Editor’s note: this letter is in response to a letter from Josh Greenbaum we ran in our Aug. 9, 2007 issue]
Josh Greenbutt—or is it Greenbum? Oh no, sorry, oop—Greenbaum, is a self-centered, nauseating downer who can’t see any further that his very short nose and the pimple sitting on it. And we all know that a short nose is a sure sign of something else being really short… His letter is a rare example of people acting as if the world begins and ends with their little misery of a life.
After 10 years of refreshing, humorous, exhilarating, entertaining, courageous journalism (yeap, that’s you guys and I don’t work for Tommy...), the only thing he can see of Maui Time is the misspelling of his band name (what’s that, the Edgy or something...?) on one instance in the weekly grid and the misprinting of Mana’o in the Best of Maui Contest.
That’s it? That’s all the evidence he can give about Maui Time being “nauseating unprofessional” and of how “you and others in your organization [are] getting paid to do what’s not getting done?” Get a life, self-proclaimed “not rude, literate and forgiving” drummer. Try to accomplish something before going down on the people who did and do.
For once, make an effort and try looking at the (huge) positive. Your livelihood as a musician is supported and helped by Maui Time more than by any other publication in Maui. And I can bet you never sent even a penny to Maui Time for its work in support of live music.
I do (many pennies...) and I thank Maui Time for its continuous help in keeping musicians alive in Maui.
The only criticism to Marty, the Maui Time Mime who so eloquently responded to Mr. Greenbutt’s (or is it Greenbum’s?) letter, is that Marty forgot to raise his middle finger. Which I will do in his behalf...
-Giovanni “Steven” Cappelli, via email
CORRECTIONS
In regards to our Aug. 9, 2007 story “What’s Happening to Honolua Stream,” we erred in describing the location of Maui Land & Pineapple Company plans for 40 homes at Lipoa Point—they’re to be on the makai side of Honoapi‘ilani Highway. In that same issue’s story “Corporate Alien Invaders,” we got the name of the Wailea resort undergoing a $250 million transformation into the ultra-luxurious St. Regis hotel wrong—it’s the Renaissance Wailea Beach Hotel. And in our Aug. 2, 2007 Da Kine Calendar, we misnamed the songwriter of “Everybody’s Talkin’ at Me.” Fred Neil wrote that song, later covered by Stephen Stills.
Maui Time welcomes letters commenting on our coverage, but only if they’re complimentary. If you still wish to complain about something, please have the decency to use plenty of bad punctuation and grammar—that makes it easier for us to make fun of you when we respond. We also reserve the right to edit your letters. Send your letters to the editor via e-mail (letters@mauitime.com), regular mail (Letters to the Editor, Maui Time Weekly, 33 N. Market St., Ste. 201, Wailuku, HI 96793-1742) or fax (808-244-0446). All correspondence must include your full name, hometown and phone number.