Letters to the Editor

Poor decision-making over dog, beach parties

When the British surrendered at Yorktown, the band played "The World Turned Upside-down." Given our priorities lately, that should become the new state anthem. Two prime examples:

• Spending $50,000 for one dog when thousands could have been saved by using it for sterilization.
• Spending a million dollars on the city's beach parties while our sewage and other systems go begging.

The first is the well-known "little girl in the well" phenomenon, where no expense is spared for one dramatic case while countless others are neglected. The second is the equally well-known "bread and circuses" of the Roman emperors to curry favor with the populace.

Wisdom is shown by the choices one makes — recent events demonstrate a dearth of that quality in our decision-makers.

Mark Stitham
Kailua

Honolulu's approach to homeless is broken

Your April 23 editorial "Shrinking options for Honolulu's homeless" was right on target. The approach that this city is taking regarding the homeless is not working, and it shows a lack of understanding and awareness regarding the difficult issue of homelessness.

A proactive attempt at solving this problem with more options beyond "hiding" the homeless is essential for our city. Drop-in centers are a great idea combined with better programs of health, human services and job training.

Our city and community must step back and look at the many dynamics that produce homelessness. Poverty, substance abuse, family issues and difficulties, elderly persons, mental handicaps, lack of jobs and job training can all contribute to this problem.

Are the solutions easy ones? Of course not. But, homeless people do and always will live in Honolulu. We need creative and compassionate leadership from our City Council.

Rev. Vaughn F. Beckman
Senior pastor, First Christian Church Makiki

State GOP should have open primary

Bob Dye's criticism of the Hawai'i Republican Party's policy of deterring primary challenges to its incumbents is valid and insightful.

To be successful, a political party must continually test its incumbents from within in order to be strong and to present the best and strongest candidates possible.

The Hawai'i Democratic Party, with its open primary policy, is a good example of the success of this practice.

Edward J. Bybee

Supplemental budgets should be targeted

The Senate's proposal of using the interest from the Hawai'i Hurricane Relief Fund is totally unacceptable, and for Gov. Cayetano to say that the HHRF is a "red herring, as far as I am concerned," is outlandish.

He thinks that when it becomes necessary, there are safety measures that can be taken in funding for hurricane relief and the damage caused by a hurricane. To him, the only acceptable way in dealing with the "projected" budget shortfall of $360 million in 2006 is to raid the fund.

As a lame-duck governor, Cayetano can propose anything he wants. If the outcome is not in his favor, he can undiplomatically chastise anyone he wants, for he does not have to contend with re-election. But, as for the senators, if they yield to the pressure of having to raid the fund, in one way or another, they are seeking their own demise.

They should first aim the cuts at the supplemental budgets of the state departments. Department heads are just using a scare tactic in trying to hold on to untouched funds. Those funds should be considered as "found monies" to balance the state budget.

Drew E. Kosora

Legislature imperiling driver's education

The DOE's driver's education program is destined for extinction if the Senate and House conferees have their way with HB 1600. The plan calls for the money in the driver's education special fund to be sent to the state general fund to help balance the state budget.

The driver's education money was not allocated from the general fund but supported through insurance underwriter fees. The Insurance Commission collects the money, transfers the money to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office, which then transfers the money to the DOE to run its program.

By closing the driver's education special fund, there will be thousands of students (ages 16 and 17) who will not be able to receive a reasonable and affordable instruction as required by law to obtain their driver's license.

Yes, the DOE could charge a user fee, but money collected is transferred to the general fund, according to the laws currently on the books. The DOE will not receive any of it.

Parents and friends of driver's education, call your legislators and help keep driver's education alive.

Fred Nagao
President, Hawai'i Association of Safety-Traffic Educators

UH-Hilo will honor commitment to athletes

Throughout Hawai'i's economic hardship, the University of Hawai'i-Hilo athletic department has maintained a policy of honoring its commitment to its student athletes. While times have required us to tighten our belts, we have steadfastly refused to do so in any manner that would jeopardize their scholarship assistance.

This is a commitment we take very seriously, and the UH-Hilo athletic department will continue to provide new and returning student athletes with the scholarship assistance they have been given.

Currently, 78 percent of our student athletes receive various types of assistance in the form of tuition, fees, stipends, and room and board. The athletic department is developing new strategies to keep our scholarship budget intact, and no student athlete, old or new, will be affected.

I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions from concerned individuals. Please contact me directly at (808) 974-7621.

Kathleen McNally
Athletic director, University of Hawai'i-Hilo

Waimanalo doesn't want liquor license OK

I am glad the Waimanalo community is getting another chance to be heard, and hopefully heeded, in its opposition to the granting of a liquor license to Gloria Bridal Chapel.

The strong, continuous opposition of the community to this license has not changed. All that has changed is the appearance of the chapel, which is minor. That is not the main concern of the community, as stated by the chapel owner's attorney.

Waimanalo has a proud record of caring and advocating for the well-being of its residents, specifically in this area of liquor sales. Community members oppose the granting of this license, not because of landscaping, but because of our valid concern about alcohol sales and drunk driving, especially in this remote area.

Yet, we are being told to accept that it will "happen" anyway, by default, despite our opposition. How can this ruling by default be justified? It's good news to learn that that question will be addressed. I hope the answer will give Waimanalo the support it deserves.

Julie Barcia