Letters to the Editor
Apartment building defies common sense
I support the YWCA program to provide much-needed low-cost, drug-free and safe transitional housing to women in need. But for the Y to build a large apartment building on the corner of Wilder and Punahou (one of the densest neighborhoods in the state) when other less-congested sites exist would be to sacrifice both common sense and the principles of good planning.
Cheryl Ka'uhane, CEO of the YWCA, is an able leader and a person of integrity. But she is mistaken when she says that only a few Makiki residents oppose the proposed development. I have canvassed the neighborhood and I can tell her that only rarely have I encountered anyone who supports the developer's plan.
And it's not just about parking spaces, as Ka'uhane suggests. People are primarily concerned about squeezing too many people and buildings into an already-overcrowded space, and the further erosion of our quality of life that would result. There is also a great deal of concern about putting 50 to 75 children at risk when they have to cross one of the busiest intersections in the state.
What we want and need is open green space, not another building. I hope our government will find a way to buy the land (or do a land-swap) and turn the area into a passive park. This would beautify an important intersection and provide a little breathing space in an area that is gasping for air.
Brian Baron
We should be caring for devastated neighbors
Sept. 11 has brought about a spectacular outpouring of compassion and empathy for our brothers and sisters. Never before have we seen so many displays of caring and consideration. So, why is the governor spending money on construction and "structural repairs"?
We should be thinking of our neighbors and the economic devastation that has befallen them. Let us extend a hand to those in our state who are less fortunate, the people who have lost their jobs, the people who are at a crossroads because they don't know how they'll pay their mortgages or be able to put food on their tables.
We know that more damage will be caused now that President Bush has attacked the Taliban. Security at all points has been beefed up and the threat of biological warfare is close at hand. Why don't we invest in stocking our banks with food, medication and maybe gas masks for all the people of Hawai'i?
Why don't we use the unused real estate at Barbers Point to house the homeless? Why must only the financially privileged be able to afford these necessities?
Ariadne Caracol
'Ewa Beach
Let's not try to spend our way out of trouble
There are many things the state can do to help our economy in general and the tourism industry in particular. Borrowing $1 billion for new construction projects is not one of them. It will encumber the next generation of taxpayers and put the state on poor financial footing.
I was surprised to read that the governor's chief economist approves of the idea. But then he also approved of increasing the general excise tax. But for the courage and integrity of our legislators, we would be paying even more taxes for everything we buy and sell.
This is not the time to embark on costly construction projects. We must help our struggling tourism and airline industries.
If possible, declare a moratorium on the hotel room tax and airline landing fees. Golf courses can give reduced rates for tourists. Give the teachers their incentive pay. Teachers love to travel. Spend construction money to repair and upgrade our aging public schools before considering any new projects.
In this time of turmoil, we must proceed with caution and common sense.
Gloria Kaneshiro
Let's fight terrorism by boosting economy
The U.S. economy has been hit hard by the terrorist attacks, the economy is in a recession and people are losing their jobs.
We all cannot be fighting in the Middle East, but there's a way we can combat terrorism: spend money to boost the U.S. economy. Instead of taking trips abroad, U.S. citizens should make an effort to "Rediscover America" and spend money in the U.S.A.
Local businesses have been cutting prices to boost revenues. Local people should take Neighbor Island trips, eat dinner out at a nice restaurant and basically spend money to help boost Hawai'i's faltering economy.
By our investing in America, the terrorists will lose.
Kent Nishimura
Student, Roosevelt High School
Politicians are sorely lacking in this crisis
I hope the rest of the country does not turn to Hawai'i as an example of how to deal with the repercussions of Sept. 11.
Tourism is our only real industry. It is the only real industry in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has already started a $12 million campaign to get tourists back. What are we doing? Nothing.
As ads start to fill our televisions about the fun and excitement of Las Vegas, what are we doing? We are having hearings and meetings. Our politicians, as usual, are micromanaging the advertising campaign we need to be doing yesterday. They will quibble over how much money for this and how much money for that. They will argue about the layout of a magazine ad and its message. They will fiddle while Waikiki burns.
It is no wonder our economy is in the toilet. As the rest of the country is moving forward, we go backward. In times of crisis, great leaders emerge. In Hawai'i, we ask where they are. When the tough decisions need to be made with a unified voice, you can depend on one thing: Our politicians won't make them.
So as everyone boards that plane for Vegas, we will ponder yet another lost opportunity.
Mark Middleton
Kapolei
'Medical Center of Pacific' won't work
The whole "Medical Center of the Pacific" idea won't work because:
• The Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and other famous medical centers have already been approached about building and operating branches out here and they are not interested. It is too costly for them to duplicate the facilities they have already established on the Mainland.
• Mainland patients can already easily access the existing medical centers on the Mainland and wouldn't want to pay extra to come here. Also, they will want to be close to family and friends.
• Rich Asian patients can afford and want the best treatment money can buy and will travel where the top-notch doctors work at the most comprehensive and high-tech centers. They won't want to stay at a smaller, more limited branch here when they can afford the main center on the Mainland.
• If the best doctors want to work at the best medical centers, then we can't attract them without the Mayo Clinics or the Johns Hopkins.
All our hard-earned tax dollars should be spent on expanding and improving the family practice medical program at the University of Hawai'i. Because the people involved in developing the existing program realized that financial resources in this state are very limited, they wanted to create a program that addressed our state's greatest need, and that is family medicine.
It may not be glamorous or bring bushels of money into our economy, but it won't waste the tax money we do have by pouring it into the doomed and oversized project like the proposed Kaka'ako medical center.
Legislators, I urge you, I plead with you, to think of the people this time.
Lei McLean
A prayer for America bears repeating today
The sorrowful and tragic events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania touched us all, whether directly or indirectly. We offer our heartfelt condolences and our prayers for the victims, family and friends. We pray that those who have left us partake of a joy and happiness far more abiding and real than that of this life.
Peoples from every faith and those with no faith have been the victims of terrorism, in some instances as a result of those who profess to believe in the same religion. The majority of the family of nations on this planet are now beginning to organize to oppose this scourge on humanity.
In the words of Baha'u'llah, the founder of our faith, "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. ... So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."
As we unite together to care for our families, friends, communities, nation and world, we want to share some of the words of a prayer for America revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1912, while visiting the United States, but which is even more relevant today: "O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world."
And further for our world, "O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony."
Robert Vincent Ferrigno
Chairman, Hawai'i Baha'i Community
Here's my best wishes to unknown helper
I am a military spouse who came to the Islands with the Navy, and I have been privileged enough to be here for almost two years. As I look back on my memories of aloha, I especially remember one gentleman who was kind enough to help me when my blue Buick Skylark broke down several months ago in 'Ewa on the way to WalMart.
He tried to fix it and when it wouldn't work, he towed my car home tied to the back of his brand-new yellow Exterra. He even let my dog ride in his car. He towed my car all the way to the exchange housing, and he wouldn't accept money in return for his great deed.
I do not know his name, but I want to thank him and wish him the best.
Carolyn Abreu
Micronesia's strategic area determines aid
Regarding Susan Roth's Oct. 9 article, "More aid to Pacific island nations allocated": I am concerned with Gov. Cayetano's comments regarding the compact agreements between the United States and Micronesian nations.
Cayetano states that funds allocated to these island nations should be distributed under strict conditions with enforcement measures due to what he perceives as a lack of accountability of the funds within these nations. Perhaps the governor is under the impression that U.S. funding to these islands is a form of humanitarian assistance.
However, the original purpose of these compact agreements was to ensure the sole use of Micronesian waters and land by the United States for strategic purposes. Hence, the compact payments made to Palau, the F.S.M. and the Marshalls are in exchange for the use of their highly strategic locations. These islands proved to be strategically located during both World Wars I and II.
As of today, numerous U.S. military bases are located throughout these islands. Since Sept. 11, fighter planes have landed on at least two of these islands, Yap and Palau, in order to analyze the islands' communications capabilities and to refuel.
Furthermore, a portion of the funding allocated to the Marshalls is compensation for the severe radiation effects that the Marshallese have experienced as a result of the dozens of U.S. nuclear tests performed in their islands.
Therefore, as long as our sovereign neighbors continue to receive compensation, the funds should be used at the discretion of the respective Micronesian governments.
Suzanne Acord
Peace Corps Volunteer, Micronesia 1998-2000
Micronesian migrants shouldn't be singled out
I make reference to the recent article "More Aid to Pacific islands advocated" and wish to register my disappointment to the way Gov. Cayetano callously commented on the issue.
It is erroneous to say that Hawai'i should be compensated for more than $86 million in health and education costs associated with migration from the Federated States of Micronesia. The number of citizens from the Federated States of Micronesian who reside in Hawai'i dwindle compared to other migrants from the Asia Pacific region, such as from Samoa and the Philippines.
Micronesians contribute equally to the economy of Hawai'i. They work hard, pay taxes and spend their money in the local economy. The compact impact is always exaggerated because of the compensation clause in the treaty with the United States. Thus the comment made by the governor is not only unfair to the many hard-working Micronesians who reside in Hawai'i, but is also motivated by greed and is irresponsible.
David W. Panuelo
