Letters to the Editor
Long-term-care plan should be addressed
I am very supportive of a state-sponsored long-term-care insurance program such as that mentioned in the paper as proposed by Vickie Cayetano's task force.
I have a grandmother who is 102 years of age, is bed-ridden and lives with her family at home. While a state program is too late for her, I know how longer-term care affects families.
Drugs are very expensive. Most of her money is spent on drugs. The family that cares for her sometimes needs "time-out." The state employee long-term-care insurance is too expensive.
We would be willing to spend a small amount of our money for a tax.
Caroline Batalon
'Aiea
Probation was correct for father of dead infant
In Kelly Rosati's Dec. 19 letter, "Probation not enough for father of dead infant," Rosati asks how it is possible for someone to receive 10 years probation for the killing of a 4-month-old child and wonders if there is more to the story than reported by The Advertiser.
Rosati is right: Readers did not get the full story. The Dec. 15 news article on State vs. Coy was inaccurate and omitted several important facts.
The Advertiser erroneously reported that the defendant, Robert Coy, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of his son, when in actuality, Coy pleaded "no contest." A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt. In pleading no contest, Coy, pursuant to the plea agreement with the prosecutor's office, became eligible for probation.
At sentencing, the prosecutor requested that Judge Richard Perkins sentence Coy to 10 years probation with at least one year in prison. In determining an appropriate sentence, the judge considered the circumstances surrounding the baby's fall from a bed, Coy's unsuccessful attempts to revive the infant using CPR and an expert's testimony that the infant may have suffered from von Willebrand disease, a disorder that causes excessive bleeding — all of which probably contributed to the infant's death.
In light of the evidence presented, Judge Perkins found it reasonable to infer that the baby's death may have been an unfortunate accident.
The judge also found that Coy, who has two other children, had no prior criminal history of child abuse and was not a danger to others. For the record, the judge stated he believed Coy's remorse to be genuine and that for the rest of his life, Coy must live with the burden of knowing his attempts to administer CPR contributed to his son's death.
Marsha E. Kitagawa
Public Affairs Office, Hawai'i State Judiciary
Chapter 19 policy needs to be enforced
All the name-calling, accusations of personal vendettas and "gay agenda" need to just stop. The right thing to do is get Chapter 19 implemented.
How someone morally feels about homosexuals, heterosexuals, transsexuals, bisexuals, etc., should have no bearing on when or how the anti-harassment policy is implemented. Point is, it needs to be enforced.
In his Dec. 27 letter, Steve Osborne claims that "Homosexuals are taking over the public schools and they have an agenda" (motives and goals). It's this kind of misleading accusation and stereotyping that gets important issues like Chapter 19 stalled. Would Osborne say the same when women were lobbying for women's rights or when African Americans were seeking equal rights?
People of different color, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation don't have an agenda, Mr. Osborne. All they want is to be treated fairly and equally, as is the majority.
Brent Catekista
Harassment of gay students increasing
I disagree with Nalani Titcomb's Dec. 24 letter and her assertion that harassment on school grounds due to sexual orientation, whether real or perceived, is "not high on the list."
Students have reported that since the 1998 election cycle, epithets like "fag," "dyke," "queer," etc., have been heard with increased frequency.
The message sent to impressionable young people by professional homophobes and voters was unmistakable: It is OK to single out a group of people based on hate and fear and label them as something less than human.
The addition of "sexual orientation" was a necessary and logical step in promoting a safe and conducive learning environment for all of our young people.
Martin Rice
Kapa'a, Kaua'i
Hawai'i's airlines will see profit again
Monopoly is not a game.
September through November is Hawai'i's slowest economic season. By adding the disaster of Sept. 11, the result has been an economic shock not experienced in decades.
Hawai'i's airlines are calling for a merger, but have not yet tested the winter tourist season. Hawaiian and Aloha airlines have a serious problem, to be sure, but both have had profits prior to Sept. 11 and will again.
As surely as winter comes, Hawai'i shall prosper, and so shall its airline industry. The snowbirds will come again because only Hawai'i is the Paradise of America.
Without fair competition, there is a risk of unfair pricing and substandard service. Our state and federal government officials should keep monopoly out of Hawai'i's travel services. They should either resist the merger of these two airlines or else encourage outside competing airlines to enter Hawai'i's interisland service.
Dennis W. Noe
Consumers lose out in merger of airlines
I oppose the merger of Hawaiian and Aloha airlines. For Greg Brenneman and TurnWorks, it's a golden opportunity to purchase a monopoly. As is the case with all monopolies, consumers will lack choice, pay higher prices and endure mediocre service.
For the owners of privately held Aloha Airlines, it's a "get out of jail free" card. The tragedy of Sept. 11 dealt a blow to the entire airline sector, and every company is facing dismal bottom lines.
I feel Aloha is using the current economy and possible merger to avoid capitalizing and modernizing its fleet. Hawaiian Air took the risk of purchasing an entirely new fleet of aircraft before Sept. 11 and is undoubtedly feeling the same pain. Why should Aloha's owners not be forced to make the same difficult decisions as Hawaiian? And what is the reward for avoiding such risky decisions? A 28 percent stake of a monopoly; how fortunate for them.
Both airlines have endured recessions before and emerged. This business cycle is no different. The interisland market can support two airlines, and I ask our politicians and the Federal Trade Commission to block this merger.
Peter K. Kali Jr.
'Aiea
Reduced flights would be better than merger
Interisland flights in the past several years have had a very low load factor (percentage of seats occupied). Everyone likes the extra space on the plane and the ability to catch another flight soon after the one missed. Still, it doesn't take an aviation or financial wizard to know that you can't keep doing that and expect to survive, much less prosper.
The solution is to reduce the number of flights, not merge the airlines.
Parking the planes will enable the airlines to respond to the expected travel resurgence quickly, while retaining the competitive environment that benefits both residents and visitors. Merger or not, you have to reduce the supply to meet demand. A merger would benefit the airline in the long term at the expense of the public.
David R. Marshall
Kane'ohe
Flag beach towels should be returned
I went shopping at Ala Moana Shopping Center on Dec. 26 and was appalled when I saw that a store had American flag beach towels on sale.
I was taught years ago that the American flag should never be allowed to touch the ground. In my mind, to use the flag as a beach towel is gross disrespect for the flag.
I would hope that anyone who bought one would return it and that the store would discontinue selling them.
Jim Belew
Traffic cameras will mean lower rates
What's all the hubbub about traffic cameras? Look beyond the obvious and see the glorious benefit that we insured drivers may enjoy. Here's the logic:
• Nearly every driver on O'ahu drives faster than the posted speed limit.
• Speeding drivers increase the likelihood of vehicular accidents.
• Traffic cameras catch more drivers speeding.
• After paying fines, even hard-core speeders are likely to slow down.
• Slow drivers are less likely to be involved in vehicular accidents; therefore ...
• Fewer vehicular accidents lead to vastly lower motor vehicle insurance premiums as insurers' exposure to risk in this line of insurance is considerably reduced.
See? Jump for joy, glory hallelujah! In this season of giving, all us insured drivers will be comforted by the fact that some guys will reap the benefits of slower traffic in the years to come.
Earl Yamamoto
Kane'ohe
Cayetano's legacy is Democratic downfall
Regarding David Shapiro's supposedly objective evaluation of the "Cayetano Years" (Focus, Dec. 23): Shapiro conveniently neglects to mention Cayetano's crowning achievement: the alienation of the base of Hawai'i's Democratic Party and the destruction of its solidarity.
Cayetano has single-handedly almost assured a Republican victory next year. In so doing, he will have assisted the ascendancy of its anti-labor and extremist moral agenda.
Unfortunately, Hawai'i's people will be the ones to suffer, especially the working class Cayetano claims to champion.
I give Cayetano an A for divisiveness and an F for political wisdom.
Mark J. Valencia
Kane'ohe
Professor off base on Cheap Tickets' request
I feel forced to respond to Professor Noel Kent's Dec. 20 letter heckling the request by Cendant, the international conglomerate that owns Cheap Tickets, for tax relief so it can stay in Hawai'i.
I don't think the Cheap Tickets employees who will lose their jobs would be quite as cavalier.
Maybe Kent and others in the "all of nothing is better than less of something" crowd should take a few basic economic courses in between drinking cappuccinos and bad-mouthing business people who are trying to create an economy where we can have some peace of mind.
Chad F. Scoggins
Breaking into Hawai'i teacher ranks tough
Having been a teacher for 45 years, I can honestly tell you that Paul LeMahieu was absolutely correct when he said the political culture is change-averse. Not only political but educational as well.
Example: When new teachers come to town, they are put through the hoops and loops you cannot imagine. They are required to take the Praxis, a series of tests that costs much and proves little.
I took and passed all but one — some obscure test about material I had never heard of or seen. After I took it, I realized that someone somewhere is taught the test and that it was designed to stump the applicant. It stumped me. Even though I still had a few months left in which to take the test, I was deemed unqualified and not hired for several positions.
At one position it was said that I would not fit into their " 'Ohana." It is amazing how non-Hawaiians use Hawaiian terms to deny positions to others.
Another told me he did not hire bums. I guess a cigarette addict could call a non-smoker/drinker a bum. I don't know how he drew his conclusion, but he intimated that I was a bum. At 'Ewa Elementary School in 'Ewa Beach, I was hired, and in his letter of recommendation, the assistant principal indicated that I fit, immediately, into their " 'Ohana."
One of the problems is that principals are given the veto over all teachers, and if they don't like your kind, you just don't make it.
I am black, have two master's degrees plus many hours, and have been a professional vocal and instrumental performer. Perhaps I am too qualified, which is one of the most common reasons for denying me employment all over the world.
R.W. Smith
Interisland ferry system is needed
My wish for year 2002 is to find a design for an interisland ferry that is fast, safe, stable, sea-kindly in rough water and environmentally sensitive.
Such a maritime ferry in a statewide system is needed for people who hesitate to fly, as a companion to our single airline, and for those who want to pay less to move between the islands.
E. Alvey Wright
Kane'ohe
