Letters to the Editor
No problem if hobby doesn't affect others
In reply to Kalei Gomes' Aug. 2 letter about legalizing cockfighting: Yes, you call it a hobby and present yourself as just another human, like the rest of us. But the difference between your hobby and mine is that yours subjects me to your roosters crowing from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day whereas my hobby has absolutely no infringement upon you. Until you can come up with a totally silent chicken, the only place for them is in the stew pot.
Pete Wokoun
'Ewa Beach
Don't use police money for mayor's programs
The Honolulu Police Department is short more than 200 officers. The nation is at war. We do not know when the next terrorist attack(s) will come, nor in what form. But the Harris administration sees nothing wrong with having spent more than $350,000 in unbudgeted money on police protection for Brunch on the Beach and Sunset on the Beach events in the last fiscal year, forcing HPD to foot unbudgeted costs for this year.
The administration also pays for police protection at city events as a community service. Organizations sponsoring events that require additional police should hire special duty officers. If they are unwilling, the event should not be held.
The police budget should be dedicated to protecting the public, catching criminals, preventing crime, providing security relating to Sept. 11 and other activities that are normal police business. Chief Lee Donohue should be allowed to run his department and spend his money on proper police activities, not the mayor's look-good, feel-good programs, which divert police manpower and funds.
Kudos to the council members who persevered until they got the figures. May they now stop the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Lynne Matusow
New dorm priority cuts off returning student
Having three daughters who are full-time students and dorm residents at UH-Manoa, I was shocked to find that President Dobelle has changed the rules governing which students are given priority over resident hall space.
My oldest daughter, a fifth-year education major, had applied and placed a deposit for "guaranteed return" dorm space for the next term just before the housing department's April 30 deadline. In the past, submitting your application and deposit by this deadline would reserve your dorm space for the next school year.
She still has not been assigned a space, though her younger sisters have. She learned that Dobelle has given housing preference to incoming freshman and out-of-state students. She and other local students have been wait-listed. Dobelle needs to learn that the UH was built primarily for Hawai'i residents. It is obvious he is more concerned with nonresident tuition dollars than with educating our island students.
Manu Lemke Medeiros
Kapa'a
Award accepted, but promise broken
Dear Mrs. Cayetano,
When we spoke on the telephone only hours before you were to accept the award from the Boy Scouts organization, you told me you were going to use this opportunity to tell people that you disagree with the organization's policy on sexual orientation. You told me you did not want to embarrass anyone by rejecting the award and felt you could do more by speaking out against the group's discriminatory policy. Then you proudly accepted your award and said nothing.
One sentence about hoping the group eventually open its arms to all capable individuals was not a denouncement of discrimination. There were probably a significant number of people there who did not know what you were talking about.
I need to feel I can trust those in the leadership of my community. That you did not do what you promised just says you are another politician like so many others who wants the glory and can't do the hard work. You let me down.
Dann Perrin
Election coverage must strive to be fair
I implore the newspapers to handle the coverage of the upcoming election with fairness toward all candidates. Kevin Dayton and Lynda Arakawa's July 31 story, "Lingle's war chest leads all," gives an impression that there is a violent battle in progress.
The terminology of "war chest" for an election is not necessary and biases the reader. Hats off to Lingle and her campaign team for being efficient with regard to raising funds; and also for their honesty, integrity and timeliness in filing.
I plead with the media to promote fairness in handling all of the candidates and to provide objective information to readers. Please allow the public to maintain their confidence in journalism.
Joyce H. Cassen, M.D.
'Aina Haina
Tip on tax not necessary
I read Michael Tsai's July 11 story on tipping and couldn't agree more. However, you missed one item that I feel many people are not aware of.
I don't believe we should pay any tip on the tax. Whether you pay cash or not, be aware that when you tip on the total you are tipping on the bill plus tax. It's a small amount, but very deceptive, especially when paying by credit card.
Walter Tonai
All should have to pay back what's borrowed
Your July 29 editorial, "Congress bankrupts the bankruptcy law," is typical of the liberal Democratic thinking that permeates this state.
Why shouldn't creditors such as banks and credit card companies expect repayment for money borrowed by the public? There may be some valid reasons to declare bankruptcy, such as unforeseen illness, loss of employment and inability to work.
But to take the road to bankruptcy because of poor money management and then blame banks for soliciting credit cards shows a lack of common sense. Everyone should be held responsible and required to "pay back" what one has borrowed. This is the ethic of a responsible citizen and common sense.
Joanne Fong
Money for Hokget, but not noise complaints
I find it odd that the Hawai'i Humane Society can no longer afford to respond to animal noise complaints because it did not receive an $80,000 increase in its contract with the city. As a taxpayer, I am troubled that HHS is allowed to pick and choose areas of performance under its contract.
Usually a contractor details what the responsibilities are before they are funded and are then held to those terms. As a past supporter of HHS, I am also deeply concerned that the organization was able to spend $50,000 to rescue a dog from a foreign flag vessel in international waters, but cannot find the money in its budget to continue to respond to animal noise complaints made by the very taxpayers, volunteers and supporters who ultimately fund the HHS.
Kevin M. Kelly
Kahuku
New director should bring back rainbow logo
One way I believe that the new athletic director, Herman Frazier, can start off on the right foot with University of Hawai'i Rainbow fans is to bring back the rainbow logo to UH athletics because it's tradition, tradition, tradition.
I just don't understand why President Evan Dobelle is so silent on this issue.
T. Higashida
