Letters to the Editor
Hawai'i Value Pass will bring results
Hawai'i's tourism industry has the right idea with the Hawai'i Value Pass, which is intended to stimulate the economy by circulating money to as many local merchants and vendors as possible.
For a number of years, HGEA has promoted local businesses through our in-house discount program. By obtaining discounts for our 41,275 members who show their union card, HGEA is supporting local restaurants, retail outlets, repair shops, travel agencies, hotels, car-rental agencies and other establishments throughout our state.
Our discount program results in members and vendors benefiting alike from the value and appreciation each has for the other.
The Hawai'i Value Pass will produce the same results. Vendors and the public will benefit from such a program. Join us in doing the right thing and supporting our local businesses.
Ann N. Ebesuno
Chairperson, HGEA Committee on Community Action
Arctic refuge oil drilling must proceed at once
On Sept. 24, you published an editorial headlined: "Congress must delay arctic drilling debate." I agree. The debate must end, but not by continuing to delay the issue of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge development.
It really doesn't matter how long it will take to reap actual barrels of oil from the refuge's coastal plain. The United States cannot afford to continue to depend on foreign oil imports. Nor can we continue to deny our workers the hundreds of thousands of jobs that such development will create.
It is doubletalk to say that we support labor groups and then turn around and oppose the exploration and development that will ensure a significant means of job creation in the face of massive layoffs and economic downsizing across the country.
There is a successful 30-year history of oil and gas development coexisting with wildlife in Alaska's Arctic.
Mel Kahele
President, Hawai'i Teamsters Local 996
Rubbernecking is perilous on freeway
Recently there was an accident on the freeway. As usual, traffic slowed. This caused a three- to five-mile backup. That was bad enough, but on the opposite side of the freeway, traffic also slowed, causing a backup of about two miles.
When are you boneheads going to understand that slowing to look at an accident on the other side of the freeway doesn't help anyone and may even cause more collisions?
Kimo Kanaka
Ballet star was all but ignored by the press
If Benny Agbayani came to town with the New York Mets, it would be big news and everyone would go see the game. If Jason Elam were performing with the Denver Broncos at Aloha Stadium, it would be a performance not to be missed. But when Amanda Schull came to Honolulu with the San Francisco Ballet, it was barely mentioned in the press.
The best The Honolulu Advertiser could do was one sentence in a poorly written review of the performance by a UH graduate student from Brazil who has little knowledge of the local dance scene.
Ballet is tough compared to professional sports. To gain recognition in your own home town after gaining entry into a major league performing arts organization is difficult. Even after starring in a major Warner Brothers movie, it is hard to get press coverage.
For many of us, Amanda Schull's return to Honolulu with the San Francisco Ballet was an inspiring "local girl makes good" story. It is a shame that it is so difficult to get the word out. But face it, ballet is tough.
Takashi Koshi
Trask is correct in questioning war
Haunani-Kay Trask is right in taking a stance for peace. Historically, the record of the U.S. military has been bloody, oppressive and primarily aimed at peoples of color.
Remember the Native Americans and the overthrow of the peaceful Hawaiian nation? The public has not been presented with all the facts, and some groups are still demanding hard evidence that shows who is responsible for the Sept. 11 bombings.
We are not really sure if we are at war, yet war is spread all through the media. Has Congress declared war on Afghanistan? Unquestioningly, we allow the U.S. military to wreak havoc on another country, allowing it to kill hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Afghan women and children. Is this a "War on Terror" or a "War on the Innocent"?
Professor Trask is asking us to question U.S. foreign policy and not be blindly led to conclusions for some hidden U.S. political agenda. If we do not stop the killing in Afghanistan, it will inevitably come back to haunt the U.S., and the cycle of violence will continue. Like Trask, I am for peace and nonviolent solutions.
Melinda Healani Sonoda
