Letters to the Editor

Union leadership let state teachers down

Yes, teachers in our state are so deserving of a raise. The root of the problem might not be the governor but the leadership of HSTA who endorsed him.

If the HSTA leadership, past and present, put Cayetano in office, they should at least apologize to the union membership that they goofed. Leadership is the problem and leadership is the solution.

Don’t blame the teachers for their lack of pay. The union leadership should take the blame for this one.

K. Miyasato

Pedestrian rights bill would need enforcement

As a pedestrian who has worked and walked in the Kapi‘olani/Ala Moana district for the past 25 years, I’m glad to see the Legislature draft a Pedestrian Bill of Rights. However, the law will have little effect if it is not actively enforced.

At present, we already have laws against running red lights and jay-walking. Unfortunately, enforcement appears to remain inadequate.

Recently, at Kapi‘olani and Kalakaua, I watched four vehicles run a red light while I waited to cross the street. This happens every day. Sadly, my repeated phone calls to public officials have brought no relief to this chronic and dangerous situation.

Call me cynical, but increasing the fines without also increasing the level of enforcement amounts to little more than a feel-good exercise on the part of politicians. Better they issue us safety helmets instead.

Stephen T. Molnar
Kailua

Spend fluoride money on better dental care

Wasting taxpayer money seems to be the only thing the Legislature knows how to do efficiently. Why else should we consider paying to have fluoride put in the best-tasting, purest water in the United States?Ê

Why not use the fluoride money to better educate our youngsters in school? Provide fluoride treatment as needed, increase dental benefits so that prevention and care are more cost-effective for the public.

The cost of dental work is the prohibitive factor to having good dental care. Most families, especially those with more than one child, fear an extra bill to pay. And dental work can be a very large bill.

John Slater

Capitol isn’t being used to promote religion

Regarding the Feb. 19 Advertiser article "Legislator criticized for Bible study note": Mitch Kahle of the Hawai‘i Citizens for the Separation of State and Church charged that I was "abusing government assets" in order to "promote or organize religious activities."

This accusation is totally inaccurate as it left out details crucial to a balanced report. I was accused of unethical behavior because of a fax sent from my office regarding a schedule change for a legislative fellowship. Kahle and Brent White of the ACLU implied that I had nearly set up a church in the Capitol and gave the impression that I had crossed the line of church and state. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The legislative fellowship has been meeting for years. It existed long before I was elected, so it goes without saying that I did not start the meetings.

There is a rotating schedule of legislators who host the meeting, and my assigned slot was Tuesday, Feb. 13. Unfortunately, the House session that day went long, postponing our meeting till Wednesday, so I instructed my staff to inform the others of the new time. (Official letterhead was not used.) The use of a fax machine to notify (not invite) of schedule changes certainly falls in the "de minimus" category outlined in federal statute.

Here is what goes on during legislative fellowship meetings held at the state Capitol:

Members read passages from a book and then discuss how it relates to their job as lawmakers. (In my case, this was a historical text from the Old Testament relating to ancient Israel’s monarchy as it related to private property rights and zoning.)

Moral and ethical lessons are discussed and used to promote better understanding of the legislative process and each other. (In our study, we noted that murder, theft and perjury were incongruent with good government.)

Legislators, regardless of party affiliation, pray for each other.

At no time do other legislators or I engage in religious proselytizing. In my opinion, a group of lawmakers discussing ways to improve the political climate and promote honesty, integrity and character is much needed in our government.

Rep. William Stonebraker
R-15th District (Kalama Valley, Portlock)

Abercrombie didn’t criticize admiral

It is unfortunate that the Feb. 15 story "Passengers’ hands were on sub controls" on the USS Greenville/Ehime Maru tragedy stated that Congressman Neil Abercrombie "criticized" Adm. Thomas Fargo.

It is true, as I told your reporters, that Abercrombie emphatically expressed his dissatisfaction with the Navy’s failure to release information in a more full and timely manner. However, the congressman did not criticize Fargo personally, nor did I intend to convey that impression to your reporters.

Abercrombie has the highest regard personally and professionally for Fargo and understands the challenges he faces in this difficult and complex situation.

Michael Slackman
Communications director for Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Congress

Captain shouldn’t be made a scapegoat

If Cmdr. Scott Waddle, the captain of the USS Greeneville at the time of the sinking of a Japanese training boat, is guilty of negligence, he must be punished. But we must not sacrifice an innocent man so grieving Japanese will have a target for their pain and anger.

Karin Ireland

Isles deserve more local programming

Regarding your Feb. 12 story "New director to turn camera on Hawai‘i": The future for Hawai‘i Public Television is ripe with possibilities.

New president and CEO Mike McCartney has drafted an ambitious road map for the organization, striving to complete a mandatory conversion to digital technology by 2003, while establishing a new "local" identity for Hawai‘i Public Television. We here at ‘Olelo Community Television are behind McCartney 100 percent.

Since ‘ñlelo’s inception in 1990, we have been dedicated to programming by and about the people of Hawai‘i. Our channels (Oceanic 52-56) reflect the diverse and richly textured society that is Hawai‘i nei. We wish McCartney and Hawai‘i Public Television every success in joining the cause for increased locally grown programming. Our community deserves it.

Meredith R. Nichols
Outreach Coordinator, ‘Olelo Community Television

Long-term-care plan needed for all residents

I am a senior citizen who once cared for my parents with my wife, using family resources. The cost is too much for working adult children. I need a program to help me live at home in my neighborhood as I get older and need assistance.

Three years ago, I applied for long-term-care insurance from BSH Insurance Co., a Mainland company that sells long-term-care insurance in Hawai‘i in a working relationship with HMSA. I was refused coverage due to a pre-existing medical condition.

We need a long-term-care program for all Hawai‘i residents.

George Lee

Honestly, officer, I was only doing 55

I had a good chuckle when I read Sgt. Roy Gonsalves’ comment that the BMW bike was "so smooth" that when he thought it was doing 70 mph, it was actually going 90 to 100 mph.

I recently bought an X5 BMW and, like the HPD, the three-year warranty covering everything influenced my purchase.

However, I have the same problem. When the vehicle feels as if it is doing 60 mph, its closer to 90. I hope when I get pulled over, it’s by a cop who rides a "Beamer" and understands that I really thought I was doing only 55.Ê

Dom Marino
Kula, Maui

Precedents provided by several nations

Columnist Bob Dye could provide a real service to art lovers and taxpayers everywhere by providing his advice to the governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United States and countless others that are squandering their public funds on art museums.

In most cases, there are world-class private museums close by.

Robert L.R. Miller
Kane‘ohe

Baywatch Hawai‘i’ showcased Islands

"Baywatch Hawai‘i" had a profound impact on our ocean state. The sheer beauty it portrayed in its two-year run in 44 episodes and in future syndication showcasing Hawai‘i’s spectacular scenery, its local people and aloha will surely inspire many to visit our beautiful 50th state for many years to come.

As a North Shore artist, gallery owner and resident, I feel the governor, Tony Vericella and the many dedicated Hawai‘i business owners and residents made the right decision in supporting this television series, which ran in over 100 countries around the world.

I commend Greg Bonnan, David Hasselhoff, all the stars and crew on their 11-year run and hope that when they consider another series here in paradise, we will all have the vision to look forward to future television series like "Hawai‘i Five-0," "Magnum P.I." and "Baywatch Hawai‘i" that will surely give Hawai‘i global recognition as the premier world-class tourist destination on the planet.

Wyland

Alfred Kumalae was so Hawaiian in spirit

I want to tell you a story, because it applies to Bob Krauss’ recent article "Catamaran got its start in Waikiki."

The story is about Alfred Kumalae, whom Bob mentions only in passing:

Alfred and I walked across the sandy path between the boat slips and Mama San’s Cafe at the Ala Moana Yacht Harbor. The year was 1948. We wanted to get a soda.

On the way, I found a glistening 50-cent piece in the sand. Leaping with delight, I told Alfred that now we could get a couple of donuts, too.

Only a minute passed, but somehow the atmosphere had grown chilly.ÊAlfred seemed saddened. Being a haole instead of Hawaiian, I thought perhaps Alfred thought I wasn’t going to share. When I made that clear, he seemed more melancholy.

"What’s the trouble, Alfred?" I asked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," he said. Getting words out of Alfred was like getting nails out of koa wood.

"Please tell me," I asked. "I know something is wrong."

"Well," he said, "I know how happy you are you found that money, but I just wonder" — he paused, wanting so much to be polite — "have you given any thought to the person who lost it?"

I stopped in my tracks. I looked at Alfred. "Alfred," I said to him with tears in my eyes, "if I lived to be a thousand years old, I’d never have thought of that."

But I tell you this, if I live to be a thousand years old, I will never forget it. That was Alfred Kumalae, the Hawaiian who was very much the real inventor of the modern double-hulled canoe. So Hawaiian in spirit — so low key even Bob Krauss did not know this about him.

"Doc" Dorian Paskowitz

Hale‘iwa can’t stop restaurant progress

Convenience is the engine of progress. We move forward and learn from harder times to make the future bearable. I can’t imagine an elder saying, "Boy, I’d give up my washer and dryer in a heartbeat for a large rock and a stream."

A drive-through restaurant would have been gladly accepted in the 1920s because it makes sense. Just because it wasn’t discovered in 1920 doesn’t mean we have to go back to those indifferent times. But if harder times (not simpler) is what some in Hale‘iwa want, then why stop at 1920? Tear down all those buildings and go way back to when Hale‘iwa was nothing more than a dream in some ancient kanaka maoli's mind of a great place to build a village.

Craig Watanabe

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