Hawaii

I read your article on Japanese real estate speculation in the Hawaiian Islands with great interest--and more than a little amusement (Part I, April 26). The majority of those quoted as opposing this wave of foreign investment seem to be wealthy haoles . The one ethnic Hawaiian whose viewpoint you presented--Gov. John Waihee--seems largely unconcerned.

Perhaps this is because he has seen this sort of speculation before, when the same wealthy mainlanders who are now complaining bought most of his homeland away from its native people.

It seems to me, as it may seem to the governor, that yesterday’s thieves are simply today’s victims. Until ownership of Hawaii is returned to ethnic Hawaiians, no one will have the right to complain about being bought out by anyone else--no matter which side of the Pacific he came from.

JOHN DIBELKA

San Francisco