Letters to the Editor
Gay activists crave approval of society
A July 29 article, "Same-sex couples on the rise," reports that Ward Stewart and George Vye said they have never felt comfortable holding hands while strolling along Waikiki. What's up with that? I may be wrong, but the last time I checked, it's not illegal for two men to hold hands. Isn't this America, the land of the free?
It seems to me that your reporter is insinuating that I am supposed to feel ashamed and apologetic because two elderly men don't feel comfortable displaying their gay love in public. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of the media trying to make me feel guilty simply because I disagree with homosexual activists.
Sorry, guys, I don't feel guilty, nor do 70 percent of Hawai'i voters who voted to protect traditional marriage feel guilty either.
What this illustrates is the reality of what the homosexual movement is all about. If tomorrow society legalized same-sex marriage, allowed homosexuals to serve openly in the military and forced the Boy Scouts to drop their ban on gay scoutmasters, it would not be enough.
What homosexual activists crave is social approval of their behavior as normal and natural. They will not rest until they reach this ultimate goal.
David Estrada
Kailua
The numbers don't lie in teacher pay dispute
The HSTA/state dispute, by the numbers:
- $500 million is the annual teacher payroll; 40 percent is the estimated teachers with advanced degrees, or $200 million.
- 3 percent of that $200 million is $6 million pay differential.
This was the simple estimated cost that the HSTA and the state agreed to and HSTA published in its flyers to teachers prior to ratification. The numbers don't lie.
Sam Callejo
Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
Teachers' contract language is specific
In the teachers contract, where it says that teachers with graduate degrees "shall receive a 3 percent differential calculated on their current salary each year," the word "each" means: "every one of two or more considered separately."
I can read and I will be eligible to vote in 2002.
Henry Tran
Money is available for differential pay
Three points on where to find the money for the master's degree differential pay for the teachers:
- Since the state wanted to offer money for each teacher found by the Mainland recruiting company, and since that company only has found a few teachers, couldn't the money earmarked for that purpose be used for teachers already working in Hawai'i?
- Since the state is willing to offer a $10,000 bonus for those who are certified in special education, who chose to go into regular education, and then return to special education — couldn't the differential pay come from the money set aside to fulfill that obligation?
- The governor has pet projects for which he would like to conserve money prior to leaving office.
The money exists for teachers' differential pay, but it is set aside.
Nandarani Evans
Decible readers won't solve our problems
I am responding to Councilman Duke Bainum's response on Aug. 5 to a previous letter concerning muffler noise. I commend Councilman Bainum for attempting to do something about the problem. I have letters in my file dating back six years on this issue, all to no avail.
My advice: Mr. Bainum, save our money. Don't think for a minute that decibel readers will help. I can see it now. If a '95 Honda Accord is said to be too loud, somebody will want to know the base line figures for that, and every other car that is questioned. The net result will still be an unenforceable law, criminal justice — justice for the criminals — at its best. Just look at how effective "boom box" legislation has been. Again, please save our money — don't buy these things.
I'm saving money, too. Personally — and I am urging all my friends to do likewise — I am not having my car(s) inspected. We have whole segments of our population who are immune to the law. If a law is a good one, then it applies to all.
It's time for me to "throw some tea into the harbor." A little rebellion, in the face of such unequal law, is a good thing.
Dave Verret
Darwin cult overwhelms evolutionary science
It is quite unfortunate that evolutionary science is so overwhelmed by the Darwinian cult. Science must always remain logical, sober and ultimately unbiased and open-minded. However, this cult is contrary and adheres to the ideology of Charles Darwin.
For example: To promote adaptation as empirical scientific proof that evolution is a fact without expressing the probability of the creationist's view (that adaptation is effected by intelligent design) is in this context neither good science nor a credible fact.
Science must not discriminate solely on the basis of religion. Presentation for review of all hard facts (religious or otherwise) is incumbent upon all who believe in science. And conversely, where divergent ideologies are not thoroughly provable, science must remain neutral, yet objective.
If the evolutionary theory is not confined within the definition of science, it will become a new form of religion.
Peter Uyehara
Pearl City
Cloth diapers are superior to disposable
Regarding your July 22 article about the choice between cloth and disposable diapers: I used cloth for both of my children, one of whom is still wearing them. I used Dolphin Diaper Service for my first child and, due to financial reasons, decided to do the diapers myself for the second.
Naturally, I was excited to see that someone had approached the subject, only to be disappointed at the lack of research when comparing the two ecologically. I found it odd that pediatricians were the main source of information on this matter. One claims the environmental impact is equal.
While there may be an equal amount of chemicals used in the manufacturing process, there would be a significantly less amount of disposable diapers made if more people used cloth. I am still using the same 24 diapers I purchased when my son was born, and most of the diaper covers he wears were left over from my daughter. There are also several reputable catalog companies that sell green cotton diapers.
As wonderful and inspiring as Dolphin Diaper Service has been for me, a cost comparison between disposable and cloth done at home should also have been made. I invested about $120 in diaper needs for my son, and since then it has only cost me one load of non-chlorine bleach per week to maintain them.
Neither of my children has ever had diaper rash.
Many things consume our time with the children, but cloth diapers are not one of them. I am all for the convenience of disposable diapers for laundry days, travel and such, but I believe that, like fast food, they should not become a way of life.
Nancy Schnur
Waipahu
Bring back Frank Fasi
Former Mayor Frank Fasi should be elected the next Honolulu mayor. He knows how to help the people. Perhaps he will try to get a rapid-transit system for O'ahu.
Hung Peng Lee
My Mom needs your help to save her life
This letter is about my mother, Diane Gomes Simon, formerly from Honoka'a and a former waitress at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island.
Mom is a tough one — she's gone through two heart surgeries, a car accident that almost killed her and a lot more that would be too numerous to list. She is a diabetic on dialysis, and is now at the end stage of renal failure and in dire need of a kidney transplant.
Although she has gone through a lot, she has never given up on life and thanks God every day that she is still with us.
Our family members have all been tested as a possible donor, but none has been a match for her. I have done just about everything I could possibly do for her, but sadly without success, and I am running out of resources.
You, the people of Hawai'i or anyone else in the world, are my final hope to save my dear moma's life. I am asking you that if you are at least 18 years of age, have no major physical conditions, have two good kidneys and are willing to be a possible donor and get tested, please notify me ASAP. You may contact me at 1-808-934-0576 if you have any further questions or need more information regarding the process.
You will not have to pay for any of the testing, and for those of you who don't know, doctors say that a person can live a normal life with just one healthy kidney.
I am asking everyone to please help save the life of the most precious person in my life, my Mom. Thank you.
Roxanne Gomes
Hilo
Keep the paipo at Point Panic
Mahalo to Stuart Osebo for his July 19 letter stating his concern in regard to the proposed changes at Point Panic.
Osebo's concern, however, missed the entire point of the proposed rule change. The current rule was implemented in 1984. This was done because bodysurfers were getting "run over" and injured severely with the advent of the short board in the mid-1960s. This rule took 12 years to implement — way too long.
The original proposed rule change was to eliminate all board riding with the exception of the hand board. This would eliminate the use of the paipo board too. History depicts clearly that in the early 1800s, when the art of surfing was lost with our ali'i, the paipo led the entire renaissance of the sport of surfing. However outdated and unpopular — the board is not mass-produced — the art of paipo riding is still strong within its community. There is an annual paipo competition at the Redwings held at Point Panic each year, with many entrants of all ages.
The same proposed rule change also extends the area of the "bodysurf only" zone by 100 feet laterally and 100 feet from the shoreline.
Public testimony, held in March, favored keeping the paipo at Panic. The increase of the zone size was not disputed, as safety issues were the main concern of surfers and body boarders going "right." Thus, increasing the "bodysurf only" zone was still in the best interest of public safety.
The main concern at the public hearing was testimony to keep the paipo at Panic. Those testifying were myself, Dr. John Kelly and George Downing of "Save Our Surf," and Mark Cunningham, world-renowned bodysurfer and city water safety officer. Also testifying in favor was Dr. Michael Kliks, author of the proposed rule change and an avid proponent of bodysurfing. He is also the meet coordinator of the Annual Redwings Bodysurfing-Hand Boarding and Paipo Contest. Sarah Wahilani, spokeswoman for the Point Panic Bodysurfing Club, also testified in favor of keeping the rules the same and not eliminating the paipo board.
At the end of the public hearing, Steve Thompson, hearings officer with the DLNR, indicated that testimony heard that evening was in favor of keeping the paipo at Panic. However, enforcement of the current rule was a problem. Steve presented a problem that was the impetus of the current rule change: Body boarders were claiming that the "body board" is a paipo. Anyone who recognized the word "paipo" knows this is absurd.
There would have to be a definition of a paipo that needs to be inserted into the rule to keep the paipo at Panic. On April 17, I represented the paipo board community with Steve Thompson and Gary Moniz. At that meeting, I brought three kinds of paipo boards. It was the first time Steve had ever seen a paipo board. The three of us all concurred that there are many distinct differences between a paipo and a boogie board.
Currently, the paipo community is still working on the insertion of a definition of a paipo and body board that would distinctively differentiate between the two. We are hopeful that the definition will be added into the proposed rule changes to perpetuate the use of the paipo at Point Panic.
Curtis N.K. Crabbe
Ho'olehua
