Letters to the Editor
Renovations not funded by taxpayers, students
Those who send letters to the editor certainly have the right to express their opinions. But the tone of the letter about College Hill, the traditional home for the president of the University of Hawai'i, in the Dec. 10 Advertiser is inappropriate, and the facts are wrong.
Interior design consultant Mary Philpotts donated her wonderful services to the university to furnish the public areas of the house that are used several times each week for university functions. Private money was raised for this purpose; no taxpayer dollars or student fees were expended.
The reconstruction of this historic home was its first in 37 years with contracts let before the Dobelles moved to Hawai'i.
Joanne Clark
Associate Vice President, External Affairs and University Relations, University of Hawai'i
Council has another shot at smoking ban
I am a former waitress who is now disabled by a health condition partly brought on by exposure to second-hand smoke.
I was very disappointed when five of our City Council members voted against protecting restaurant workers from second-hand smoke. They themselves are protected. Are service workers less than they?
These are the members who voted against protecting workers from second-hand smoke: Jon Yoshimura, Rene Mansho, John DeSoto, Romy Cachola and Andy Mirikitani. Mayor Jeremy Harris also has historically opposed efforts to protect service workers. Remember these names.
There is a new measure before the City Council now. What will they do?
Amy Arkoff
Legislature likely to dip hands into money jar
Vicky Cayetano's idea for a fund for long-term care is overdue. But even if agreements can be reached to implement such a program, the problem would be the Legislature.
One hundred twenty dollars per year per person would add up to a lot of money very quickly — and the Legislature wouldn't be able to keep its hands off it. This money would be used for pay raises, the State Hospital and the Felix consent decree.
People who need the help then would be paid from the general tax fund. But since there is already a shortage there, they would be turned away. Politicians would justify their actions just as they do with the misappropriation of the tobacco settlement money and the Hurricane Relief Fund.
At the risk of being overtly honest, why not call it what it is? Another tax and another entitlement, but one that is necessary.
Jamie Neely
Kane'ohe
Probation not enough for father of dead infant
Tucked away at the back of the Dec. 15 Advertiser is a story that should raise the blood pressure of every rational person in Hawai'i.
A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his 4-month-old son was given probation. How is it possible, or just, for one to receive 10 years' probation for the killing of an innocent baby? A precious 4-month-old child with a full life ahead of him is gone forever and the one who ended his life — his own father — is on probation, free to do whatever he pleases?
The article said the man claimed the baby fell off the bed, but police said the bed was "two feet from the floor, which was covered by a well-padded carpet." The medical authorities told the police that the infant had injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
What could possibly have been on the mind of Judge Richard Perkins? Why is a baby's life only worth a sentence of probation for the one who snuffed out that life?
Perhaps there is more to this story. If there is, it should have been included in the piece. As it was reported, it is the epitome of injustice. The life of this little 4-month-old boy was worth far more. The lives of all Hawai'i's keiki are worth far more.
Kelly M. Rosati
'Ewa Beach
'Tomb Raider' film disrespects Hindu saint
The Hollywood film called "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" has me steaming angry. In one scene of the film, it depicts what can be none other than Sri Hanuman, one of the most revered of Hindu saints, as an evil monkey-god that the heroine of the film destroys.
What rascaldom! This is an insult to every Hindu. I don't understand how this went unchallenged.
Ron Castillo
Kane'ohe
Some on committee not fit to question him
I disagree with your editorial on Attorney General John Ashcroft's defiant appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee (The Advertiser, Dec. 10).
There are several senators on the committee who don't deserve to question Ashcroft. Patrick Leahy was kicked off a committee for leaking security information to the press. Ed Kennedy got away from a manslaughter charge in the drowning of a woman at Chappaquiddick after leaving a drinking party.
Nitpicking and bringing up history are no reasons to disallow questioning the justice of military tribunals. More than 100 appointees for federal justiceships are being held up by this committee.
Harry Choi
Psychics should prove 'skill' and find bin Laden
Magazines, newspapers and the television are full of ads or infomercials for psychics and soothsayers who supposedly can look into the future and foresee everything from romance to financial windfalls to travel, provided they are first paid a handsome fee. I guess that is understandable. After all, everyone has to make a buck.
But I have to wonder: If they are so good at seeing into the future and have special powers of insight, why hasn't at least one of them decided to cash in on the $25 million for disclosing the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden?
Gerald S. Bluehdorn
Illegal campaign money a legitimate target
Let's hear it for Bob Watada, executive director of the state Campaign Spending Commission, for pursuing illegal campaign contributions. Come to Maui for deep and fruitful digging.
Glenn L. Shepherd
Wailuku, Maui
Quit all the wailing, whining already
As I read the letters from the Hawai'i public on traffic cameras, I see nothing but a bunch of whiners and hypocrites.
You want the government to crack down on law violators yet oppose everything it does. No, this won't fix all the problems on the road, but it wasn't intended to. But just knowing they might be caught on tape will force many drivers to think the next time they barrel through a red light.
One letter stated that the public never voted on it. Well, we vote for members of the government to make these decisions for us. If you don't like the way they run things, then don't vote for them.
I was stationed in Geneva, Switzerland, where they had these cameras, and they worked like a charm. Other states use them, and they work great.
These cameras are not unconstitutional; they use them in stores to catch law violators all the time.
One reader's suggestion was for the community to stand together and not pay the tickets. Well, if you choose this option, you will get to know the law system even better after you are cited for failure to appear in court and are issued a bench warrant — all because you broke the law anyway.
The police cannot be everywhere, patrol every road section and answer every little problem, so this is a great way to cover more area and free the police to handle more critical cases.
For those who oppose this great change: Just stop speeding and stop running red lights and breaking the law, and you will have nothing to worry about.
Find something with more substance to whine about!
Gary Liddell
United States Marine Corps
U.S. needs to make alternative top priority
If everyone in the United States drove a hybrid car instead of a traditional car, we would save roughly 1.6 billion barrels of oil a year — far more than we import from the Middle East. This also would mean fuel savings because we would get 50 to 70 miles per gallon and fewer emissions, which would help the environment.
Helping auto manufacturers convert their vehicles to a hybrid system should be a top priority of our nation's government.
Most of the car-buying public has no idea what hybrid cars are because there are only two models for sale: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.
Hybrid cars rely on two sources of energy. The first and primary is the same as any car, an internal combustion engine. The second is a battery that drives an electric motor. These cars are recharged every time the driver hits the brakes.
There are waiting lists on the Mainland for these cars. In Hawai'i there is no waiting due to lack of promotion and information of these $20,000 cars.
By buying a hybrid car, that helps reduce America's dependence on foreign oil almost immediately.
Tom Sebas
City could make money from these violators
I am frustrated and concerned at the number of expired safety inspection stickers and registration tags on motor vehicles. Every time I travel the streets of O'ahu, I count at least 10 vehicles with expired tags. Be it a BMW or a Volkswagen, a truck or an SUV, it doesn't seem to matter what type of vehicle it is. Seems to me that the state could use the revenue. Why isn't there more emphasis on solving this problem?
Suggestion: During rush hour, have the Police Department send officers on motorcycles down backed up lanes to identifiy violators. A simple "tag violation" ticket wouldn't require the police to pull the vehicle over — all they would have to do is fill in the violator's license tag number and give them a copy, thus generating fines.
Tim Baier
Waikiki restoration ruined by ugly structure
What was Mayor Jeremy Harris thinking when he approved the installation of the movie screen on the beach in Waikiki? How does this tie in with our cultural sense of place? The city just finished doing a beautiful job on the restoration of that part of the beach. Now it has been ruined by this ugly structure.
Surely you can find another place for it where it will not be so unsightly.
Connie White
Enhancements, events made trip more special
My trips to Waikiki from my home in Pasadena, Calif., have been numerous, and each one has been wonderful. But my November visit (with my daughter who lives on Kaua'i) tops them all — there were so many happy surprises.
To start with, my huge, beautifully appointed corner room at the Marriott Waikiki Resort afforded a panoramic view from Diamond Head to beyond the Royal Hawaiian. Even though the resort is going through renovations, the graciousness of the staff and the prompt, cheerful service offset any inconvenience.
The next surprise was the beautified sidewalks of Waikiki, the new grass and plantings, and the sculptures and waterfalls along the walkway. I thought I was in paradise before, but was dazzled by the difference that the landscaping and other enhancements provided.
Adding to this weekend was a free movie on a giant screen on the beach Saturday night. The next morning we were surprised by the city's brunch on the beach. The attention to detail (grass "carpets," table cloths and umbrellas) gave the event so much class. The mayor even stopped by our table to say hello. Later, another surprise: I was strolling in the nearby park and happened onto a concert presented by the Royal Hawaiian Band.
An added bonus was a free flu shot at Doctors on Call that required no waiting. Ironically, I'd been trying to get one on the Mainland for weeks.
My thanks and praise go to the city planners, the hotel industry staff and entertainers who have served their community (and me) so well.
Charlotte Carden
Crazy habit could help, not impinge on, residents
Every year the marathon descends like a plague on East O'ahu. Tens of thousands of runners push themselves into an area where tens of thousands of residents are subject to home detention or an adjusted lifestyle because of these rubber-soled marauders.
Will someone in power consider having the race start or end in Makaha and start or end at Mokule'ia's Dillingham field? The route is not only more attractive, it would give the areas a needed economic boost. The hotels, restaurants, stores, gas stations and other businesses on the Leeward side and the North Shore would benefit from the influx of the masses.
Under the present conditions, there is the possibility of a car careening into runners at the myriad of intersections and miles of one of the busiest highways on the Island. At Ka'ena Point, these galloping groupies will have open 'aina with majestic views — a great alternative to running on miles of hot asphalt near automobile exhaust fumes.
The funds used for the battalion of police needed for traffic control can instead be used to hire Leeward and North Shore residents to help with doing whatever has to be done to accommodate these masses of gum-shoe gladiators.
The marathon doesn't have to be an ordeal for us because of them. We all can benefit with better planning. Rumor has it that marathoners are like us — except for that crazy running habit.
James G. Lee
