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Letters to the Editor

HGEA's Okata gave away the union store

At the height of the protracted state education strike, just when it seemed support for our educational professionals stretched across the political spectrum and to all walks of life, it appeared that Gov. Cayetano could not find a word of support anywhere in the state.

Then, out of nowhere comes the governor's trusted friend and confidante, the executive director of the Hawai'i Government Employees Association, Russell Okata, to give him the biggest and most undeserved gift any labor leader has ever provided to management in Hawai'i.

Okata, in a move that can only be seen to sew dissension in public employee solidarity, decides that he will give back hard-fought employee benefits and exchange binding contract arbitration for what amounts to mandatory strikes if management refuses to bargain — as it too often has in recent years.

And not only does Okata get nothing in return for his givebacks, since an arbitrated contract has been approved and made binding by a judge, but he makes this tradeoff without any consent, either from the elected leadership of the union or its membership.

This sort of collusion between labor and management can't help but bring greater suspicion on organized labor. More importantly, though, it is a step backward for all workers, for when unions win, even those who are prevented from organizing gain.

Okada's concessions show his lack of concern for the greater labor movement in Hawai'i.

Keola Kamaunu

Both sides should apologize for strike

I am very grateful for the end of the teachers' strike. I believe the big losers were the children.

If this whole affair was not about the money, would Karen Ginoza and Joan Husted be willing to forego their monthly paycheck in a show of solidarity with their constituents, who will bear the loss of income for this strike?

I think an apology from both sides is due to the people of Hawai'i for the inconvenience and hardship endured.

Dennis R. Yokoyama
Kailua

Undergrounding lines must be top priority

The Hawai'i Legislature should not raid the Hurricane Relief Fund. Instead it should look at ways to use the money or the interest generated by the fund to "harden" our communities.

The April 22 picture on Page B4 of the Focus section of the damaged and destroyed utility poles on the roads after 'Iniki is extremely graphic. One doesn't need much imagination to get a mental picture of what O'ahu would look like after a direct hit. Imagine what would happen when the "juice" goes out on O'ahu. Lives and businesses would be destroyed, and the politicians would have to deal with the facts that they could have had the wisdom and courage to proactively plan for a hurricane disaster by putting programs in place to limit the damage.

The state and city governments, working with the Public Utilities Commission and the Legislature, need to immediately start a program to underground all the utility lines in residential areas and wherever else possible. Spending the money now on hardening the utility grid would be real insurance.

The state needs an energy policy, and protecting the electrical grid by undergrounding it should be a top priority.

Stuart Browne
Lanikai

Why doesn't Advertiser compete for awards?

The Honolulu Advertiser has writers and photographers of merit who are qualified to compete in the Hawai'i Publisher's Association annual awards.

That Dennis Francis, newcomer to the Islands, general manager of The Advertiser, president of the Hawai'i Publisher's Association, does not attend the awards dinner nor encourage participation by his own staff implies misplaced priorities.

To be Hawai'i's newspaper, your mission statement claims, one needs to be "diligent, truthful, accurate and fair," plus "perpetuate the qualities of aloha — tolerance, humility, sharing and respect." Does The Advertiser practice what it preaches, or is it just words to print?

Moana Burch
Mililani

What's so wrong with Harris running?

When people speak about ethics in publicizing their own agenda to assure re-election, what about the current officeholders in the city, state and federal governments?

From President Bush to the lowest level of elected officials, they are all looking ahead to get re-elected. So why is it any different with Mayor Harris when he announces his intentions for seek the governorship?Ê

At least he is honest in his intentions rather than hiding behind a smokescreen, and I laud him for his openness.Ê

Glen S. Arakaki