Letters to the Editor

Court’s Felix mandate should be accountability

I am the parent of a child with autism. Your editorial of Feb. 19 regarding state responsibility to the Felix consent decree exposes a fundamental liberal philosophy flaw. "Let’s take money and throw it on the fire." Speaker Calvin Say is on target. Administrators must expend funds for Felix. Rather than badgering the Legislature, Judge Ezra should hold administrators accountable for outcomes.

Judge Ezra wants to contain the legal arena. Judge Ezra fears growing political activism. That’s why he called the recent status conference. But the people have their role. During six years offered to impose remedies, Judge Ezra often simply rubber-stamped administrators’ blank checks. Fortunately, we have a Legislature now listening to constituents.

Judge Ezra, I concede, may hold a strong card hand. With their backs always against the wall, however, the Legislature may soon say, "ante up." Judge Ezra admits that he is loath to take control of special education. For good reason, if he does, accountability falls squarely on his shoulders. To avoid this catastrophe, if the court mandates a federal solution to Hawai‘i special education then it must also mandate efficient, accountable expenditure of both federal and state funds.

Steve Bowen

Forget Clinton pardons; worry about sub tragedy

Instead of probing former President Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich, Congress instead should spend time in an important and pressing matter, the recent sinking of a Japanese fishing vessel by a U.S. submarine off O‘ahu. Is the equipment such as the sonar and the periscope the best we have? Was the surfacing procedure for submarines followed? Was the crew trained and supervised? Were the civilians at the sub’s controls? Why were civilians allowed on the sub? Should this be terminated? Aside from the apology, what about the compensation to the ship’s owner, the crew and families?

Regarding the crash of the Marine Osprey, Marine officers were suspected to falsify maintenance records. To have the Navy investigate the sub accident is like having the fox guard the henhouse.

Congress should summon the sub’s crew and the civilians who were on board and find out what they did. They should be granted immunity, if needed. Our government and the Navy should get to the bottom of the matter. They owe everyone an explanation and they need to establish a sound procedure to prevent such accidents in the future.

How Tim Chang

Sub tours for civilians aren’t floating parties

As a civilian, with no military background or experience, I have had the privilege to have been an invited passenger aboard the submarine USS Ohio. Tours such as these are performed so business and community leaders can see what our taxes are helping to fund and to obtain business support for our enlisted personnel, high school and college ROTC programs, etc.

The recent news (local, national, and international) regarding the unfortunate accident between the USS Greeneville and the (fishing) vessel the Ehime Maru has been unfair to the Navy, the submarine service and the crew of the USS Greeneville.

Many are under the misconception that these submarine tours are conducted with a "party atmosphere" on board, and that these guests are in control of critical elements involving the operations of the submarine. I can assure you from experience that nothing could be further from the truth. The tours are conducted both professionally and with the utmost care taken for the safety of all military and civilian personnel. Guests are escorted the entire time that they are on board. No one has free rein of the submarine. Anytime a civilian individual is involved in pulling a lever, turning a knob, etc. it is explained to you what you are doing and a supervising crew member is inches away and in many cases holding your hand, while you do what is instructed. Anyone that has been on a submarine knows that every command is followed by multi-levels of redundancy prior to the command action being carried out.

The recent accident was indeed a tragedy. The exact reason has yet to be determined. We should allow the investigation to discover what really happened and not make unqualified speculations.

Gregory A. Culver
Kailua

Put fluoride in Big Gulps where it will be effective

Adding fluoride to our drinking water to reduce children’s cavities demonstrates the irrational thought processes for which Hawai‘i’s politicians are rightly ridiculed and despised.ÊIf Hawai‘i’s children were drinking water, they wouldn’t have rotten teeth. The fact is the ones with rotten teeth are drinking Big Gulps. So why punish the water drinkers who appreciate Hawai‘i’s pure water because so many kids would rather fill up on sugared drinks? It doesn’t address the problem.ÊPut the fluoride where the people who need it will get it: Put it directly in the Big Gulps and leave the rest of us alone.

Dennis DeBasco

Many projects under way to transform Waikiki

The front page story on Waikiki’s new retail era by Sally Apgar (Jan. 29) focused on two of many projects that are transforming Waikiki: the newly renovated DFS Galleria and Honu Group’s luxury retail center, scheduled to open in November 2002. Both of these projects have strong Hawaiian themes and certainly lead the way in Waikiki revitalization efforts.

But it’s important to remember other equally significant projects which may be smaller in scale, but no less impressive, including various storefront renovations, new landscaping, exterior facelifts and special events that add life and vitality to Waikiki.

Private investment continues to polish the image of Waikiki. This includes investments made by the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (RHSC). which the article unfairly characterized as not doing its part in Waikiki’s revitalization effort. RHSC has taken the lead in initiating and funding new events that create excitement in Waikiki including the French Festival, Italian Festival, Monarchy Series and this year’s Waikiki Wonderland. RHSC is also a major supporter of numerous successful Waikiki icons, such as the Aloha Festivals’ Ho‘olaulea and Parade, JTB’s Honolulu Festival and the King Kamehameha Day Parade. It has partnered with the city on many popular activities as well: strolling hula, torch lighting and the first Aloha Information Kiosk, located on its property.

Through its administrative and executive staff, RHSC continues to contribute greatly to our organization’s revitalization efforts, as well as the soon to be launched Waikiki Business Improvement District Program.

The momentum we see in Waikiki today relies heavily on the shared vision of Hawai‘i’s business community. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center’s contribution to this vision and its reality is significant. It is important that we embrace the many resources that all these companies have to offer and acknowledge their efforts and the commitment of their management.

Rick Egged
President, Waikiki Improvement Association

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