Forum

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4, 2010

Inauguration At Palace Would Be Bad Form

The planners for last year's 50th anniversary of statehood deemed it would be insensitive to use Iolani Palace to stage a celebratory event for the jubilee. The concern was it would be offensive to Hawaiians who contend Hawaii is still a sovereign nation and Iolani Palace sacred ground.

So wouldn't using the palace on Monday to inaugurate the next governor of Hawaii be just as insensitive? Why would the state refrain from causing an affront one year, then cause an affront just as egregious the next?

For Neil Abercrombie to start his term with such an insult to the already injured Hawaiian community would be very bad form.