Letters to the Editor
Mercury story shows education's poor state
Two seemingly unrelated events in the recent news have much in common and lasting implications for Hawai'i":
• It is difficult to believe so many adults failed to recognize liquid mercury when it was brought home by children who broke into and entered state property. Makes one wonder what kind of investment was made in their education and whether that equals the per-person cleanup and health costs at Halawa.
• Last week, 99 percent of state teachers voted to strike if their meager salary increase demands are not met. The governor claims the state doesn't have enough money to cover a decent raise and fund the rest of the needs of the state.
We have an income tax in Hawai'i as high as 10 percent, there is an excise tax of 4 percent on every sale, service and lease, and tourism kicks in an 11 percent on every hotel room or rental — and the governor says he can't make this work?
The real link here is that we as a state will reap what we sow, and the governor's legacy will be measured here, not in an aquarium. If you want to know what a poor education system produces, think "mercury."
Ben Willkie
Kane'ohe
Everyone will 'pay' for month of striking
When Gov. Cayetano boasts he will "pay" for the strike with the savings from keeping professors and teachers out of work for a month, he needs a reality check.
Parents will "pay" for that month of striking when they pay for child care to baby-sit children who ought to be in school learning.
Employers will "pay" in lost productivity as parents are forced to stay home.
College students will "pay" because the state is breaking its contract with the students, who have paid tuition in return for a semester of instruction.
Taxpayers will "pay" when college students postpone or forego their plans to join the working ranks as wage earners.
Hazel Glenn Beh
Associate Professor of Law, University of Hawai'i
We should support governor's efforts
These are trying times for Gov. Cayetano, the government unions and the overtaxed public.
We all want to see our government workers paid fairly, especially our teachers. However, it is obvious that this is not the time to raise taxes or cut essential services to accomplish these goals.
It is also obvious that the way to chart our course through these economic problems is to have one dominant person in command. The Democratic Party is too beholden to the labor unions, and the Republican Party is too small to be effective. The Legislature is not a solution since it is really a part of the problem.
The only effective dominant person is the governor, and now is the time for all of us to trust his judgment and back him up.
Bob Hampton
Teachers already are 'working harder'
I'm appalled at Gov. Cayetano's suggestion that faculty need to "work harder" in order to earn more pay.
I grew up in a home with not one, but two teachers, both my mother and father. They were not only dedicated, but worked harder than most people I've come across.
I've seen some of the least productive, most inefficient work from state and county employees here in Hawai'i.
In contrast, I have never walked into a teacher's office to find her not working and not available to help me out. Rarely have I experienced a teacher without enthusiasm for her work and students.
Ali Warren
UH lecturers are on bottom of totem pole
I have worked in the University of Hawai'i system for the past 22 years, teaching at the Manoa campus and several community colleges. For most of this time, I have been a part-time or full-time lecturer teaching an ungodly schedule on as many as four campuses at a time.
Seven years ago, I was teaching enough to make a decent wage. I had health benefits for nine months of the year.
Since then, with the advent of a new category of temporary position meant to undercut the ability of long-time lecturers to continue making their decent wage, my work has been consolidated at a single campus. I have taken a 12.5 percent pay cut. In exchange for year-round health benefits, my nonteaching workload has increased 1,000 percent. I serve on five committees at the discretion of department chairs and the administration. I work two days of the week with no break at all.
After more than 20 years of service to this state, I have accumulated a grand total of 3.8 years toward retirement. I am considered a temporary employee, hired on one-year contracts, and thus have no job security nor any prospects of job security.
I am evaluated in my work twice a year by students and peers on the quality of both my teaching and nonteaching contributions to my employer. I know that at the convenience of my employer, I can be tossed out without explanation, no matter what the quality of my work. I am constantly vulnerable.
Now the governor offers a salary increase that is virtually wiped out by taking away three months of my health benefits and diminishing my ability to accumulate sufficient retirement to become "vested."
Would you do it? I don't think so.
Sharon Rowe, Ph.D.
Kapi'olani Community College
Lay off workers; leave tax cut alone
Well, it looks as if the Legislature has decided it needs your money more than you do. Apparently all of the legislators' promises have placed them in a bind with the unions and now it is time to "pony up."
They don't care one bit that we may need the little bit of tax relief they gave us to balance our budgets. Theirs comes first. Afterward, they will give us our allowance and tell us to be thankful they let us have some of our earnings.
It goes back to the old philosophy of the Democratic Party: "All money belongs to the State."
I think it is time for the state government to, heaven forbid, actually lay some people off. After all, it is a daily fact of life in the real world.
M. Sather
How can campaign money pay for fine?
Something's wrong with the math. Rene Mansho's reported resolution with the state Campaign Spending Commission will permit her to pay a $40,000 fine with only one-fourth of that amount coming from her personal pocket. The remaining $30,000 will come from her current campaign treasury.
Since when were our politicians permitted to collect campaign contributions to pay fines for violating the law? The situation is even more ridiculous when, according to a recent story, Mansho spent more than $48,000 for a wide range of personal expenses, with all such monies coming from her campaign treasury.
Maybe it is time for the commission to be investigated for reaching rulings that lack some sense.
Benjy Wong
Kailua
Campaign finance bill should be killed
The House bill regarding the City Council race for 2002 deserves to die. It reforms nothing and actually undermines an existing law for public financing of Council elections.
The bill still leaves the corrupting influence of special-interest funding in place since it is voluntary. Only candidates who choose to use public funding are affected since the bill establishes a more restrictive process on them and one I believe is unworkable.
Nothing is done to control the loot that rolls in from developers seeking zoning approvals from the City Council. Nothing is done to level the playing field for grass-roots candidates. Nothing is done to stop the huge warchests that scare off competition and leave most Council races uncontested.
Shame on the supporters of this bill for not doing their homework. We need incentives to get more candidates to use public funding. This bill will actually drive them away.
State legislators should spend time reforming their own campaign-funding practices. Public-interest groups shouldn't let them off the hook.
Councilman Steve Holmes
Quarantine station should have boarding
I think I was more traumatized than my dog with the prospect of quarantine when I relocated from the Mainland. But my dog was well cared for and quite happy. The staff and caretakers did a fabulous job.
So, when we planned a trip to the Mainland, I called to see if they provide boarding. To my surprise, the answer was no.
The state could generate substantial revenues that would offset the cost of the extra personnel by providing this service. This would be a real money-maker for the state and give many of us pet owners peace of mind with the excellent care our pets would receive.
Leslie R. Moore
Set aside politics and smell the roses
Have you noticed lately how beautiful the Likelike Highway is with the wild impatiens blooming in profusion around the guard rails, or how incredibly dramatic the Ko'olau range is as you drive on the Windward side?
And then there are the magnificent sunsets with their florescent pinks and corals that have been lingering for our pleasure.
Surely, if we set aside our personal politics and do our bit to help, we will truly be living in paradise.
Gaynor D.N. Minton
Kailua
OHA suit is nothing but 'spin' about 'justice'
The Feb. 17 article on a shutdown delay of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is wrong. Patrick Barrett attorney John Goemans states that "Justice delayed is justice denied." How conveniently expressed. But how long must justice be delayed to be denied if it's for Hawaiians?
Queen Lili'uokalani sought justice in 1893; 100 years later, Congress, representing the 250 million U.S. citizens, apologized for overthrowing the Hawaiian monarchy. The president signed the Apology Bill. How does one man's opinion now weigh against a nation's in a democracy?
The United Church of Christ apologized in 1993 and furnished reparations for its involvement in the 1893 overthrow to set an example.
Would this all mean Barrett should wait at least 100 years for "justice" due to the "irreparable harm" he will suffer if OHA is not shut down? It's all "spin."
Louis Agard
Thank you, everyone, for all of your aloha
On March 9, while on duty as an HPD solo-bike officer, I was seriously injured in an early- morning accident on the Pali Highway. I would like to take this opportunity to express my warmest aloha to each and every one of you who sent your messages of love, prayers and concern.
The multitude of fruit and floral arrangements, the ono food, and the many, many personal visits from all of you are something I and my family will never forget.
To all of my family at HPD and the staff of the Queen's Medical Center who did their job with compassion and expert skill, mahalo nui loa.
To my Worldwide Motorcycle Club for stepping up to the plate in my hour of need, in making my home accessible for my recovery, please accept our sincere thanks. I will always be grateful to you.
To my fellow officers Will, Rosie and Darryl, we wish you a speedy recovery.
And last, to my 'ohana, I love you, and to my precious wife, Lavaina, I couldn't do it without you.
Thank God we're all alive!
Valentine N. Huihui Jr.
Honolulu Police Department
