Letters to the Editor
Marketing lei should have gone elsewhere
Why would the HVCB, which is supposed to be "marketing" Hawai'i as a destination, spend $200,000 to send lei to people in areas where we are already being successfully marketed?
Wouldn't it have been better to share our beautiful Island tradition with people in cities and countries that don't know about Hawai'i and with people who are not already coming here? But Tokyo? Vancouver? New York? Chicago? Seoul? Sydney?
Send the 31,000 lei to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Spain and other cities and countries where they do not know about this beautiful tradition and our wonderful hospitality.
Carmen U'ilani Haugen
Harris' announcement was service to city
I hear the gnashing of teeth over Mayor Harris' recent announcement that he'll run for governor in 2002. It seems entirely appropriate to me he should do so.
Announcing this far in advance gives potential replacements plenty of time to prepare for the mayoral election, which will be held in the normal election cycle, not in any special election, as some have claimed. I certainly do not see how his declaration will impair his ability to do his job, as political leaders are constantly preparing for their next election or re-election effort.
Most importantly, it gives more time to frame the debate in this important gubernatorial election, for issues to mature in the minds of the voters, and for the public to evaluate the performance of Harris and his team in the remaining months of his term as chief executive of Honolulu.
Michael G. Palcic
Who benefits from fossil fuel reliance?
You've got to respect Dick Cheney. He doesn't pretend to support clean energy sources while secretly promoting the oil industry, which was so lucrative for him in the past.
No, he just came right out and said that fossil fuels are the wave of the future. Given his background, this is not too surprising. But, he went on, as if taunting those who might advocate alternative solutions, to label conservation as an unsound policy.
Now, is it just me or does this seem a little suspicious? Whose interests are ultimately served by an increased reliance on fossil fuels? Could it be the same industries that would lose money if the country actually tried to conserve energy? Luckily, they have one of their own in position to ensure that we will continue to consume.
Rodney E. Porto
Capital punishment sends wrong message
Our nation has established that killing people is wrong — with the exception of capital punishment.
But practicing capital punishment strips the value of life out of the rule. Hence, a member of our society bombs a federal office building to kill its occupants in hopes of publicizing and promoting his anti-government agenda. His newfound direct link to conservative media outlets proves his actions were successful.
As a society, our killing of him merely legitimizes his murders.
Are our children learning? Yes, they are learning that it is acceptable to kill.
Scott Shepherd
Lost school days should be made up
It was refreshing that Greg Weathers in his April 30 letter voiced his disapproval of the 14 school days lost due to the strike. He is right-on.
I can understand why the seniors have to take classes an extra week that they would normally have off before graduation, but from 11th grade on down it's not necessary?
Why aren't more parents complaining about this? My son attends private school, and if his school were shut down for 14 days, I would expect those days to be made up.
Dawn Shimabukuro
What do students get?
The strike is over. The teachers got most of what they wanted in pay and benefits. Does this mean my two 7th- and 8th-grade children will be receiving a better education?
Paul J Watson
Mililani
What has happened to democracy here?
Congratulations to Larry Meacham on his thoughtful May 1 letter about giving legislative committee chairs veto power over committee members.
How is it possible that the Senate and House leadership had the audacity to consider and impose such a rule? How can a handful of committee chairs overrule a majority vote? What has happened to the democratic process in our state?
Myra Kent
Privatization bill was long overdue
As a taxpayer, I am pleased with the action taken by the new crop of legislators who had the intestinal fortitude to enact legislation that will give government agencies power to privatize service provided to the public.
The action that is long overdue. It is my hope that the members of the two houses will not be intimidated by union pressure.
There is support and gratitude in the community for your laudable action. Hang in there, guys.
Rose Pfund
