Letters to the Editor
Let's go back to the rake and broom
Several years ago when the Hawai'i Convention Center was being built, its public relations staff promised those of us who live near the center and had to suffer months of pile-driving and other construction noise that it would be a good neighbor (I live directly across the Ala Wai Canal on Ala Wai Boulevard).
Noise-level studies were done to make sure that parties and musical entertainment would not be a problem. Up until recently, that promise had been kept.
However, a few months ago, the job of maintaining the grounds around the center and along the promenade that runs from Ala Moana Boulevard to Kalakaua Avenue was awarded to a landscaping company that uses extremely loud mowers, trimmers, edgers and worst of all, leaf blowers (the most diabolical invention of man since the atomic bomb).
This maintenance goes on almost daily and what's really unforgivable, they work every Sunday from around 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Living along the Ala Wai is extremely noisy. Monday through Saturday the trash trucks start at 6 a.m. Then there is a steady stream of traffic that includes cars, some with radios at top volume, motorcycles, trucks and tour buses with diesel engines that produce a fine black soot that settles on everything.
Then there are fire engines, police cars and ambulances with sirens blaring. There is a street sweeper that comes twice a month and is completely ineffective because the dirt and debris are under the lines of cars parked along both sides of the street.
The scows carrying sludge from the dredging of the canal are constantly chugging their way up and down the canal, accompanied by a twin-engine outboard motor boat that roars along at full throttle, stirring up the mud from the bottom of the canal and leaving a wake second only to the Queen Mary.
Sundays used to be our only day of relative peace and quiet. We could sit on the lanai with our morning coffee, read the paper and watch the outrigger canoes and kayaks silently paddle up and down. Sometimes there were even sailboats — what a pleasure to watch.
But alas, no longer. The noise starts even before coffee is made. The sound resembles a group of Hell's Angels revving up their Harleys for an around-the-island ride. The operators of the blowers and edgers seem to be on a power trip, trying to see just how much noise they can get out of their ear-splitting contraptions.
A conference was held recently at the Marriott that stressed improving the "livability" of Waikiki.
My suggestion: Eliminate power edgers, trimmers and leaf-blowers. Let's go back to the rake and broom.
Jan Sanders
Don't hold boards liable for mismanagement
While Sen. Ron Menor has floated some good proposals and ideas in the past, his idea to hold members of state boards and commissions personally liable for negligence or mismanagement is not one of them. I hope that this idea was just a hasty thought and not the political games of old.
Such talk undermines the efforts of the governor's search committees to find good people willing to serve on volunteer boards, such as the Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawai'i.
If you're going to penalize it for doing a bad job, will you pay bonuses for doing a good job? How liable is a board when there is no money for appropriate staffing to get the job done right? That's in the control of the Legislature and the governor.
After all, is a volunteer board any more liable or negligent than the senators who approved their nomination?
Craig Watase
Better watch what you tell kids about Santa
Regarding Katti Gray's Dec. 18 column, after my initial reaction of outrage, I settled back to reflect on the truly pitiable state of mind of Gray and her brother. And worse, I feel badly for the children in their family who have had the magic of Christmas destroyed by such bitterness.
I'm not a particularly active Christian and I understand some folks questioning the connection between the true Christian tradition of Christmas and Santa Claus.
Sure, as adults we've all found ourselves in difficult times during the holiday season. On occasion, I've grumbled about the commercialism of Christmas. But there are bigger things involved here. There are traditions of compassion and generosity of spirit and gratitude for the good things in life that we have. It's a time to celebrate all these things and exchanging gifts is a way of expressing that.
For many families, the wonder of Christmas is in the faces of children as they revel in the myth and spectacle of it all. It's about hope and anticipation. It truly is about cheer and goodwill for mankind. You don't have to be a Christian to hold those values.
In spite of their personal views and troubles, you'd think that Gray and her miserable brother would be able to let their kids enjoy Christmas. I can't think of anything more wretched and mean-spirited than to tell a kid that there is no Santa Claus.
Bob Dusendschon
'Aiea
Even the most devout can commit atrocities
Recent front-page articles on the Kahealani Indreginal tragedy have people stating that the man accused of her murder regularly attended church. They imply that this makes him a "loving" or "good" person.
Like most Hawai'i residents, I do not attend church. And like most people, I do not commit heinous acts.
Going to church does not make someone a better person; it is just an indicator of how they choose to spend their Sunday mornings.
The public, the media and especially the justice system must stop using church attendance and religious belief as moral indicators. They are not.
The prisons are full of former churchgoers — their regular presence at a place of worship did not deter them from committing crimes. And the recent revelations of widespread pedophilia in the Catholic church show that even the most devout are capable of horrible atrocities.
Holly J. Huber
Football event showcases culture
As a Warrior parent and tireless worker for Hawai'i's tourism industry, I feel a great deal of joy and responsibility to support the ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl. It's a blessing to be so fortunate.
Here we are, in paradise, the most beautiful place on earth. Millions of people will be watching from their couches in some remote cold area of the Mainland saying, "I wish I could be there."
What a better way to show the exquisite culture of these Islands and to showcase our native sons. This team, this university, this culture have earned our support. Why not be a part of this extraordinary event, right where it counts — at Aloha Stadium? Share with the world that we have so much to be grateful for and proud of.
Ann Curry
Proud Warrior mom
Mainland nurses treated like people, not machines
I am a Hawai'i nurse who left the Islands to find that hospitals on the Mainland treat their nurses as people rather than machines. I offered to work overtime in a pinch at a facility in California and they gave me a gift!
In Hawai'i, I was given a taxi voucher home because I was too tired to drive safely and there was no thank-you after 16 hours in the ICU. I say "great going" to all the Hawai'i nurses who are striking to protest unfair practices.
I am saddened to think that other nurses would cross a picket line for personal profit. The Flying Nurses are remaining unnamed because they are ashamed to let people know who they are. I hope that the people of Hawai'i continue to support those who care for them.
Jane Hamel
RN, BSN
Can taxpayers make up my pension shortfall?
I read with interest the article "ERS fund may need $500 million annually" with a discussion of how the obligation to make up losses falls upon local governments.
My pension plan has taken quite a hit as a result of the stock market's performance as well. I wonder if I could get taxpayers to amend my shortfall? Hmm.
Don Tolbert
Real boondoggle is Aloha Stadium
I have just returned from a trip to Denver and wanted to correct misconceptions, assumptions and inaccuracies in the Dec. 17 letter to the editor by Joel Kam.
For the record, the University of Hawai'i delegation and one senator were already on the Mainland for other business and detoured to Denver for the all-day Saturday briefing.
It is a fact that responsible leaders do their homework in person to investigate facts.
An extensive meeting and a site inspection could not be done by a video conference or phone calls. The executive branch of government and other Senate and House leaders were informed, as was the public, before the meeting in Denver.
There are numerous other unfounded conclusions to address in the letter, such as that of The Advertiser's headline writer, who captioned the trip as a boondoggle.
The facts are that one of Hawai'i's real boondoggles is the existing stadium that has been hemorrhaging tens of millions of taxpayer dollars since it was built. Aloha Stadium is a financial and functional liability.
Through the generosity of part-time local boy Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and his very professional leadership team we learned much. They built in Denver on time and on budget one of the nation's best stadiums and it is making an operational profit for the taxpayers of Colorado.
Sports is a big business in Hawai'i, too.
It takes about five to seven years minimum to institute and complete a major public structure such as a stadium. We can't afford to wait too much longer to make an informed decision regarding the future of Aloha Stadium.
Sen. Robert Bunda is laying the foundation for a refreshing way in which Hawai'i builds and operates public facilities.
A public/private partnership to build and operate a stadium as opposed to a government monopoly could save taxpayers millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, in the future.
Sen. Fred Hemmings
Writer seems unclear on what aloha spirit is
Regarding Eric Metcalf's Nov. 29 piece calling "the aloha spirit just a bumper sticker," obviously, Metcalf has not lived here long enough to know what "Live Aloha" and "Aloha Spirit" really are.
Little things such as someone helping you when your vehicle is stalled, someone willing to let you cut in another lane during rush hour or someone willing to assist you when help is needed are a few things out of many that tie into having the spirit of aloha.
These things you might take for granted are things that we as an island people take into consideration.
You mentioned in your letter of our state's problems and yes, I admit that we do have many of them, but can you tell me who doesn't?
Luke Kaakau, Jr.
Junior, Nanakuli High School
Rainbow stands for every worthwhile value
What in heaven's name is the University of Hawai'i doing in its search for a new logo?
It's the Rainbow and it always has been. There it is, staring at you over UH-Manoa every day and from almost every UH publication. The Rainbow stands for every worthwhile value that UH and Hawai'i wishes to emphasize: brotherhood, diversity, inclusion, bridging, aloha, warmth, brilliance, optimism, nature, etc.
The Rainbow has been and must continue to be UH's logo. There is nothing more appropriate. It's a natural. To choose some other logo would dishonor UH's heritage.
Go 'Bows! And by the way, please bring back the Rainbow name to the football and men's volleyball teams, reuniting UH sports and reheating the glowing Rainbow brand.
Richard Y. Will
Compliment says it all
I got the best compliment any grandmother could get. My grandson's friend talked to me about Thanksgiving and turkeys. He had eaten at my house when he was younger. He said, "Grandma, your turkey kicks butt."
You know it came from the heart. That made the rest of my night. Do you know of a compliment that is any better or says it all? Thank you, Mike. You're first class.
Marjorie Y. Carter
