Letters to the Editor
'Grubstakes' could reduce U.S. welfare
Thank you for publishing David Broder's endorsement of a British proposal to create a savings account for every newborn citizen, using small amounts of tax revenue and tax incentives for parents. This would grow into a small "grubstake" of several thousand dollars by age 18.
I think this proposal has flaws, but I agree with its intent. It is similar to the U.S. Homestead Act of 1862, which made free land available to any citizen.
Providing free land for everyone is no longer feasible, but many ways exist to create "financial grubstakes." These include various ways to broaden ownership of the wealth created by future economic growth (rather than government-funded savings accounts), which eventually could make substantial ownership of income-producing capital assets (e.g., stocks and bonds) a birthright for every citizen.
Such grubstakes could reduce welfare dependency and, if invested wisely, could give everyone a real chance at financial independence — including those not born lucky enough to inherit substantial wealth.
The Capital Ownership Group, funded by the Ford Foundation, is brainstorming ways to broaden capital ownership (available online). In Hawai'i, state government and possibly the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or a sovereign Hawaiian nation might be able to implement some of these ideas.
Tom Brandt
We'll remember long after strike is over
Strikes will always leave their scars, and the recent teachers' strike is no exception. But there was something very different about this strike, compared to the one I participated in back in 1973.
Teachers this year felt betrayed by the very governor they worked so hard to elect. Given the closeness of the election, Ben Cayetano would not be governor today without the overwhelming support he received from Hawai'i's public-school teachers. How ironic.
One of my co-workers at Maui High School had this quote above her desk: "Students may someday forget what they were taught, but they will never forget how they were treated." In this regard, teachers are no different.
The time has come to move forward, but I doubt if many teachers will ever be able to forget the lack of respect Cayetano has shown for us, our honorable profession and especially the children of Hawai'i.
History will not treat you kindly, Mr. Cayetano. Schools are back in session, but today those classrooms are filled with thousands of teachers and students who understand quite clearly the blow you have dealt to public education in Hawai'i. For decades to come, we will never forget how you treated us.
Dale Crabtree
Retired HSTA member, Kihei
Legislature did not do a good job this year
From your May 8 editorial, "Where the budget is coming up short," I gather you actually believed all the back-slapping and congratulating the Legislature did on the final day of the session in a desperate attempt to convince voters they did a good job this year.
The Legislature increased state spending 12 percent in a year where the economy assuredly did not grow 12 percent, and you maintain this is a "very tight budget" where "there simply wasn't enough money"?
Please, the Legislature spent $7 billion while failing to meet such basic educational needs as textbooks, schools and libraries. Why?
Perhaps it's because the governor insists on creating an art museum instead of terminating other building leases and putting government employees into the Hemmeter building?
Because Sen. Jonathan Chun brought home so much pork-barrel spending for Kaua'i that another senator wryly noted that "Kaua'i is going to sink under the waves from the weight of all the projects steered to Chun's district"?
Because the Legislature delayed saving $70 million a year from the health fund consolidation until 2003, preferring to fiddle around with task forces and studies until the elections are safely over?
Because the Legislature keeps letting DAGS spend twice as much money on school repair and maintenance projects than it would cost if the principals were given authority to bid out the projects?
Because the Legislature didn't implement a hiring freeze on non-school state employees, reducing by attrition the bureaucracy foisted upon us during the Waihee years?
The list goes on and on, and yet you have the audacity to say this is "no one's fault." Bullpatties. It bloody well is someone's fault, and the people who screwed up need to be held accountable in 2002.
Jim Henshaw
Kailua
Highway around Makapu'u needs fixing
I was not surprised to see the latest "beautification" plans for the Kaiwi coastline. This multimillion-dollar "string of pearls" is yet another opportunity for our politicians to throw away our dollars on projects we don't want or need.
It is sad they can't see how beautiful the coastline is in its natural state. Many tourists come to hike and enjoy this rare, unspoiled gem just the way it is. Oh, well, if it ain't broke, you know someone will come along to fix it.
One thing that is dangerously close to being broke is the highway around Makapu'u Lookout. As I drive to Hawai'i Kai each day, I wonder how long before someone gets hurt. Anyone can see it is in great danger of collapsing.
What we do need fixing is a new route, probably a tunnel, built now, not after it is too late, like at Waimea Bay. How much will this cost us? Will we wait until someone is killed because of the bad condition of the road? We need construction started now. What good are expensive pearls if the string is broken?
Jody Green
Kudos to the teachers of immigrant students
A special recognition is due to all the public-school teachers at the elementary-school level who have the formidable task of helping students who come from immigrant families to read English.
We have quite a few elementary schools in Hawai'i that have large immigrant student populations.
Through the aid of federal monies of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the teachers are coaching the students to overcome the language barrier.
There is no greater reward for the teachers than to see their students' eyes light up when they finally understand what they are reading about.
Roy E. Shigemura
Carole Gabbard isn't out of ethics woods yet
Though people like Mike Hinchey, as expressed in his May 10 letter, may be glad that Carole Gabbard has been cleared of charges alleging campaign spending violations, the state Ethics Commission continues to look at possible ethical violations.
The facts are that Gabbard filed a false financial disclosure form shortly after her election seeking to hide her ties to anti-gay organizations. A revised form was subsequently submitted, not because she realized an accidental oversight, but because formal charges were presented to the Ethics Commission by gay activists.
To overcome allegations of campaign spending violations, Gabbard hired an attorney to tell us that an office rented by her husband's organization only from August to November was a "de minimus" contribution, and despite the fact that it was plastered with her campaign signs and filled with her volunteers, she never officially called it her campaign headquarters.
Eduardo Hernandez
'Aiea
Column was right about ADB planning
Right on, Mike Leidemann, in his May 10 column, for telling it like it is in regard to the city's preparations and presence during the ADB demonstrations.
At last someone has had, at least regarding this non-event, the wits to say that the emperor was stark naked.
Tom Huff
Column protesting ADB security off base
Mike Leidemann's May 10 column on preparations for the ADB conference is typical of the left-wing drivel I've been reading lately: long on emotion, but short on facts.
Would he have been happier if the city and state had saved the $2 million in security costs only to spend $9 million to repair damages and clean up like Seattle did?
I don't know where Leidemann was during the parade (surely he was marching), but from where I stood, I saw nothing that resembled a "Beirut embassy." In fact, compared to televised scenes of protests in Seattle and other cities, it looked more like ... well, paradise.
Leidemann points out that the demonstration was limited to "a few hundred protesters who had more aloha than animosity." He conveniently forgets to mention that protest organizers themselves predicted a crowd of up to 5,000 people.
The training and equipment purchased with the $2 million should come in handy if other organizations decide to hold large-scale conferences at the the Hawai'i Convention Center. It should go a long way toward ensuring that the rights of conventioneers and protesters are protected equally.
Somehow, Leidemann missed these facts. Then again, he doesn't have to plan, budget and organize security preparations for a major conference. Like most liberals, all he has to do is sit at his computer, take full advantage of 20-20 hindsight and criticize.
Jerry Inouye
Makakilo
Letter on girl awards was blatantly sexist
Why would Thomas Mullenniex in his May 10 letter find it so hard to believe that "the girls of Hawai'i are more intelligent than the boys?"
To imply that more young women won Maoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Awards because the young men "are spending too much time in other pursuits" is insulting.
This is that same blatantly sexist attitude that is responsible for the belief that if a girl excels at sports, she must surely be a lesbian.
Wake up, Mr. Mullenniex. Girls are just as intelligent as boys, and they don't win more than "their share of educational awards" just because the boys are slacking off. They win these awards on their own and because they deserve them.
What they don't deserve is another example of gender bias.
Judith L. Kendig
Others deserve credit for economic forecast
The May 9 paper reported a study by the University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) that projected slower economic growth for Hawai'i this year of 2.5 percent. Your story mentioned Professor Carl Bonham and myself as members of the UHERO who performed this study.
I would like your readers to know that these regular economic forecasts are the careful and skilled work of Professors Bonham and Byron Gangnes and graduate student Alison Zhou, who are making an important service contribution to the community. While I am a member of UHERO, I had nothing to do with the forecast.
James Mak
Professor of Economics, UH-Manoa and UHERO
Complaints against new tower ridiculous
The complaints by apartment residents on Ala Moana Boulevard regarding the plans for a time-share tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village are ridiculous.
If an ocean view were their prime concern, they should have bought oceanfront property.
The upgrading of traffic control in the area is essential, as well as making Dewey Lane safe for two-lane traffic and sidewalks.
Wayne B. Sturdivant
History repeats, so let it be peaceful
The May 3 lead editorial was excellent. Your review of recent events, as well as U.S. history from 1972, is exactly on the mark. The ABM Treaty gave the world a breathing space.
History affirms that weapons lead to more weapons, but peace brings more peace.
In the future, when we observe shooting stars in the night sky, we want to know they are a meteor shower.
Betsy P. Weiner
California has indeed undergrounding policy
In response to a May 10 letter, I don't know who Ken Morikami of Hawaiian Electric called to get his information, but I would direct him to the Hawai'i Legislative Reference Bureau, 1999 publication #2, entitled "Undergrounding Public Utility Lines."
This is a publication HECO would love to keep under the covers. On the very first page of the fact sheet under executive summary, it reads: "The California PUC has actively pursued the conversion of overhead utility lines to underground for 30 years by establishing guidelines for counties and requiring utilities to participate by allocating as much as 2 percent of a utility's gross revenues to undergrounding."
Perhaps Morikami would like to join us in developing a comprehensive plan to underground all utility lines in Hawai'i.
Jeremy Lam
