Letters to the Editor
Deal with it, drivers: Bicycles are here to stay
To "holier than thou" motorists: Get used to us bicyclists and learn to cope. We are here to stay, and though we lose in confrontations with your gas-guzzling dinosaur SUVs, we have equal rights to the road.
Legally, you are required to allow us the right of way to the whole lane wherever it is too dangerous for us to be traveling "happily" side by side.
You may find it hard to imagine why anyone would prefer a brisk and energizing ride to sitting pretty with cell phone and steaming latte, but that's your loss.
To upset pedestrians: Some of you do have a legitimate gripe. But many bicycle commuters are likely to run into circumstances in this bike-unfriendly town where the sidewalk is the only safe refuge. When that happens to me, I ride slowly while giving pedestrians the right of way and just walk my bike where my riding would unduly endanger walkers.
I hope all bicyclists will do the same because it seems repulsive to become the "cars of the sidewalk." Also, pedestrians should be among our strongest allies, if not outright supporters; together we can start making this town less auto-addicted and thereby better for all.
Toshi Takata
Wholesaler hotel tax would hurt Hawai'i
Sen. Donna Kim's proposal for a $7.25-per-day hotel tax to be added to the price of wholesalers' bulk room sales will be another impediment to the continued recovery of the Hawai'i economy.
Adding over $50 to the cost of the room for a week's stay will have three effects:
• It will deter those families on a tight budget from visiting the Islands.
• Those who visit may reduce the activities they spend money on, reducing income to the resident employees and tax revenue to the counties and state.Ê
• Many first-time visitors arrive on a budget. When they see the beauty of your state, it encourages them to return. Now some will be dissuaded from their first trip if this tax passes.
David Henry
Sacramento
Read petition before writing your signature
I would like to remind the public to read the small print before signing your name on any petition.
This past week as I was waiting to cross a street in downtown Honolulu, I was approached by a person with a clipboard in hand who kindly asked if I would join the thousands of other constituents "supporting our local teachers." He showed me the many, many signatures he collected throughout the day.
Of course I was interested, since I fully support educating our children. This person handed me a pen and his clipboard full of signatures, and just before signing, I decided to read the short paragraph above where my signature would have gone.
It had nothing to do with supporting our teachers, and everything to do with bringing in casinos to our Islands, which is something I truly do not support. I was livid beyond belief and put on a little scene disputing the dishonesty of his approach.
By telling this "white lie," he collected the signatures of many people in busy downtown who may or may not agree with the petition.
Elizabeth Lum
Patrick Barrett is no liberal Democrat
Regarding the recent Advertiser article on Patrick Barrett, who is suing over "Hawaiians-only" programs: Barrett's claim that he is a liberal Democrat is absurd.
Liberal Democrats support things like affirmative action, equal rights for minorities, the ADA, abolishing the death penalty, and other concepts that have to do with justice in our society. No matter how much you stretch it, liking Peter, Paul and Mary and having Democratic parents who admired John F. Kennedy do not make one a liberal Democrat.
Barrett may be a lot of things, but a liberal Democrat he is not.
Linda Estes
Koloa, Hawai'i
Let's get substance abusers out of prison
Gov. Cayetano and Public Safety Director Ted Sakai have much in common. Both are passionate. Both are practical and principled. Both are hard-working, though neither is hard-headed or hard-hearted. Both play by the rules.
Before condemning these public servants for recent prison escapes, it would be wise to look at two rules in particular. One is a series of misguided laws that pack our prisons with nonviolent substance abusers, stretching our resources beyond capacity.
Cayetano, Sakai, Health Director Bruce Anderson and an increasing number of legislators have joined the public in recognizing substance abuse as a health issue. Bills mandating treatment, not incarceration, are before the Legislature now. Their passage would ease the crush of humanity behind bars in Hawai'i.
Perhaps if there were fewer sick people to watch, our guards at OCCC could pay more attention to individuals who genuinely pose a threat to our community.
Another rule concerns the guards themselves and their union. Impressive, innovative legislation concerning treatment and results-oriented correctional facilities has been championed by Rep. Nestor Garcia for two sessions. The problem? This would be a private venture, posing an alleged threat to the UPW, which testified in opposition this year and last. The rule in Hawai'i, of course, is that unions rule.
Peter Gellatly
President, Network Media and Out of Prison Services
DUI drivers aren't the victims — we are
You ran a story regarding a concerned citizen with a cell phone and a police officer trying to be a solution to our large DUI problem (March 23). Additionally in the March 26 Editorial section, you follow up with a position that, "DUI concern mustn't encourage police state."
What is it that we have to fear here? Do we not have the civil responsibility to keep each other safe from harm? Do we not hire and pay a police force to enforce the laws when we cannot?
As a living-with-pain victim of a head-on, drunk driver-related accident, I am upset and angered by the conclusions of the court and the editorial page, which enable this huge problem to continue. With all the intelligence at your command, you focus on those who present the least threat to the rights of the majority and not the capacity of one drunk to alter the lives of many.
Ever been a victim of a drunk driver? Are the pain, injuries and loss second in rights to those who inflict the damage? We have to get real about this problem and accept the real solutions that are available today. What continues to happen is sickening.
Jerry Ferro
Hilo
We need alternative for long-term care
I am taking care of my 80-year-old father, who has dementia. He doesn't have long-term-care insurance. This has taught me that I don't want to be a burden to my children and am anxiously waiting for the state to promote an affordable alternative to private insurance.
There is a large percentage of our population reaching an age of needing the support for long-term services, and I am not sure many people realize the cost of the care. We need more information.
Cynthia Okazaki
Burns sought another site for UH campus
Thank you, Shelley Mark, for reminding us of the vision and leadership of Gov. John Burns in the development and growth of the University of Hawai'i (Letters, March 22).
We should also recall that Gov. Burns wanted to locate the Big Island campus of the University of Hawai'i in Waimea or Kamuela. Parker Ranch was willing to donate 200 acres. Instead, the legislators from the Big Island wanted and got the UH campus in Hilo and also a large, modern airport. The airport basks in its glory, empty.
Fortunately, UH-Hilo is a living institution. Under the vigorous leadership of the new chancellor, Dr. Rose Tseng, UH-Hilo is thriving and growing with more and more students.
Gov. Burns would have been proud.
Sam Lee
Hawai'i public education strike
Educators should accept state offer
What a sad predicament for the state, teachers and students when the unions get involved. Learned, educated and professional personnel should not be striking but discussing a compromise that would be in the best interest of all concerned.
Accept the state offer (economic conditions dictate such), provide for upgrading of the schools (textbooks, facilities) and improve student achievements.
Howard S. Okada
Teachers deserve pay raise above all
Lee Gray (Letters, March 20) compares teachers to "the guy who pumped your gas yesterday, or the girl who rang up your groceries." The comparison is ludicrous.
Does the grocery clerk lie in bed at night worrying about how she can create an exciting new science lab for her second-graders? Does the "guy who pumped your gas" use his own money to buy books and supplies for students? Do they have to pay for extra college courses to move up the pay scale? Does Gray himself put in extra hours at the school on Saturdays and Sundays to prepare lesson plans?
For a teacher, the job is a lifelong commitment. Teachers walk, think and breathe their work.
Summer Kupau
Lahaina
Recession good time to focus on education
Gov. Cayetano is correct to be concerned about the potential impact of the looming recession on Hawai'i's tourist industry.
Should he not take this opportunity to support the enhancement of an educational system competent to bring skilled jobs into the state? Should Hawai'i's students not learn more than how to find their niche in the low-paying service industries?
Louise McReynolds
Professor, UH-Manoa
Don't blame special ed for lawyer's comments
Regarding Monty Pereira's March 28 letter to the editor: Don't blame special-ed students and their advocates for attorney Eric Seitz's statements in the March 14 article. I was stunned just as you were by the comments made in this article.
Seitz appears to have his own agenda that has nothing to do with the special-ed kids or the teachers' strike.
Before you can talk the talk, you need to walk the walk in the daily life of a family who has a special-needs child, then maybe you will have a better understanding of what families go through daily.
Carey G. Allen
Parent of special-ed and regular-ed children
Give moderate hikes, maintain basic services
It would be insanity for the teachers to reject the state's last offer.
More than 40,000 public employees are demanding a pay increase totalling $546 million. This would produce tax increases or reduction of services or a combination of these two.
Gov. Ben Cayetano stated that "It doesn't make sense to cut government programs and at the same time give large pay increases to those tasked with overseeing these programs."
We need to give all of our workers moderate raises and maintain basic services to the disadvantaged and needy. And we must accomplish this without raising taxes.
Rose Norberg
Teachers must work 50-60 hours a week
Regarding the March 25 letter to the editor "Teachers deserve part-time pay": While the mathematical computations are impeccable, the argument has one fundamental flaw. Teachers are not part-time employees.
We are professionals, like doctors or lawyers. The hours cited (6.5 hours per day for 185 workdays) are our office hours, the hours the public sees us. As with every professional, that is only a percentage of the time and energy needed to get the job done.
Ask any teacher about the number of non-contract hours required to do the job. Rarely will the figure drop below 50 to 60 hours per week, including nights, weekends and summers.
Karen Meyer
Kapolei Middle School
Kunitake should withdraw recusal
I had the privilege of serving with Chester Kunitake on a City Charter Commission. His service there was evenhanded and his loyalty was to the public interest.
Accordingly, I believe the assertion by Deputy Attorney General Francis Keeno at the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board hearing that Kunitake is "biased" is an unwarranted, politically motivated attack on his character.
I hope Kunitake withdraws his recusal from the proceedings and participates meaningfully in the important public issue of teachers' salaries and our children's future.
William C. McCorriston
