Letters to the Editor
We must protect restaurant workers
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the City Council members on their drafting of Bill 99 to extend clear indoor air workplace standards to restaurants.
Secondhand smoke is a central issue to all of us who are concerned about public health. With so many adolescents and young adults employed in the restaurant industry, this bill is about protecting their future and their right to breathe clean air. Passage of this bill, along with the large portion of the Tobacco Settlement Fund devoted to health, would demonstrate that the elected officials of Hawai'i are committed to the health of its people.
Here at the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of Hawai'i, we are working to develop world-class research on tobacco that will be a cornerstone of our state's new medical school. I look forward to the passage of Bill 99 and continued improvement in the health of the people of Hawai'i.
Jay Maddock
Assistant professor, Department of Public Health Sciences
Ala Wai dangerous for canoe paddlers
When my crew and I paddle down the Ala Wai Canal, we are very aware of the changes that take place.
Most people may not take notice of the small details, but the Ala Wai is much worse. It is easy to get an infection or a rash from the water, and there is now a 15-foot tree gracing the waters fronting Iolani School and the community gardens.
The water and mud are all serious health hazards. The signs saying there is leptospirosis in the water don't mean much anymore. We have never stopped our practice because the water looked "too dirty."
The Ala Wai is one of the best training sites: nice straightaways and little current. Some canoe clubs have been there since the water was clean, and they wish to see it that way again soon. The canal needs to be dredged as soon as possible to make it a safer, more usable place.
Shelby Wong
Student, Roosevelt High School
Gambling anathema to Hawai'i's society
The mere thought of casinos in Hawai'i makes me quiver. Gambling corrodes morality, destroys self-respect, denigrates honest work, disintegrates families, and instigates violence and crime.
To suggest that casinos would quickly provide the state's coffers with the money it badly needs is sheer nonsense.
What responsible leader is willing to stifle his conscience and cause legalized gambling to pervert the gracious life we now enjoy in this beautiful paradise?
K.V. Le-Thi
Oregon paved way with doctor-assisted suicide
If Ji Yeun Ku had researched the questions he posed on Feb. 8 regarding the ethics of doctor-assisted suicide, he would have found answers in how the citizens of Oregon struggled with the issue.
They passed the only "death with dignity" law in the United States in 1997 after approving a referendum for the second time after it was challenged by right-to-life activists. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act requires that a patient must be:
- An adult resident of Oregon.
- Capable of making and communicating healthcare decisions.
- Diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months.
To receive a prescription for lethal medication, many steps must be fulfilled, including:
- The patient must make two oral requests.
- The patient must provide a written request.
- The physician and a consulting physician must confirm the diagnosis and prognosis.
- The physician must inform the patient of alternatives to assisted suicide.
These rules and conditions have allowed dozens of Oregon residents to explore alternatives to an often slow and painful death caused by a terminal illness.
With the advice and support of their physician, family members and friends, many of these people have chosen to take control of their imminent demise and spare themselves and their loved ones the grief and suffering associated with a terminal illness.
Kevin M. Kelly
Kahuku
Hold the Democrats accountable on bill
The defeat of a bill to return the Hawai'i Hurricane Relief Fund to the homeowners and policyholders is inexcusable and unacceptable.
The House Republicans were right in stating that the fund does not belong to state government but to the people. The House Democrats were only thinking of their own agenda, not the agenda for the good of Hawai'i.
It is clear that many of them are under Gov. Cayetano's thumb. It is clear that in November they must be run out of office.
Drew E. Kosora
Imposing regulations isn't 'anti-business'
The simplistic outcry that imposing needed regulations is "anti-business" dumbfounds me. Does business think it's the only important entity in this community?
When business (insurance, for instance) engages in unfair practices (overcharging people, for example), for some to cry "anti-business" tells me they want business to have it all their way and to have the community be defenseless against wrongdoing.
For government to protect the interests of the community by imposing needed regulations is no more "anti-business" than are laws against rape and stalking "anti-male."
Regarding the regulation of health insurance, since health insurance costs are being driven skyward by high drug costs, I'm in favor of bringing costs down the Canadian way. Using the clout of its size, the Canadian government bargains with U.S. drug companies and pays substantially less than what Americans must pay for those same drugs.
Hawai'i should join with those states that want to negotiate discounts with drug manufacturers in that manner.
Giving subsidies or tax credits so the drug companies can get the price they ask only encourages them to overcharge us.
And keeping prices down through clubs and other entities only complicates things with middlemen. To make it cheap, keep it simple.
Renee Ing
Present quarantine encourages smuggling
We must support reform to Hawai'i's pet quarantine system. It risks the threat of rabies by encouraging the smuggling of pets. They easily enter Hawai'i by boat and aircraft.
After jumping through many hoops, preparing my 3-pound Yorkie for his 30-day quarantine, I decided to pay someone to care for him on the Mainland. In telling my story to local people here, I was encouraged to smuggle my pet into Hawai'i. Even though I chose not to do this, the fact is, I know more people who have smuggled than those who have used the quarantine system.
Oh, yes, I remember one friend of mine whose cocker spaniel entered the quarantine system but never came out — she died. Please support the Community Quarantine Reform Coalition plan.
Rae Neu
Korean cultural mix in Hawai'i takes time
In response to the Feb. 12 letter "Koreans should mix more with locals": What authority has made Keola Choo an expert on the acculturation of Koreans into Hawai'i's macroculture? It takes time.
I am of Korean ancestry and take insult at Choo's comments. My father is locally born and raised Chinese and Hawaiian, and my mother is Korean, born and raised in Korea.
Historically, Koreans were one of the last groups of migrant workers to arrive here in Hawai'i. The blooming "local" culture at that time had advanced far beyond its meager beginnings. Furthermore, the development of Hawaiian Creole English, inextricably intertwined within this culture, portrays the lack of Korean influence due to a lack of Korean presence.
Choo presumes that Koreans have not tried hard enough to mingle within the local community. However, historically, Koreans were the smallest group of migrant workers to arrive in Hawai'i, and moreover, they still rank low in migration to Hawai'i today and are one of the smallest minority populations here.
Last year marked an auspicious occasion for the Korean community in Hawai'i. The first Korean festival was held, a major success highlighting the music, dance and arts, as well as an array of other cultural emblems of Korean pride. We have arrived, and now it is our day in the spotlight.
Howard Chi
Parties should work on keeping isle open
Regarding your Feb. 5 editorial on the closing of Midway Island to tourists: I visited Midway with a group of eight other Mainland tourists in March 2001. I found the restrictions placed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be easy to comply with and probably justified.
It was a very enjoyable vacation, thanks to the tours put on by Fish and Wildlife and the excellent care we got from the Midway Phoenix Corp.
I sincerely hope that Midway Phoenix, Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. government can come to an agreement that works for everyone so this valuable island and its wildlife can be open to the public.
Gilbert Pierce
Germantown, Tenn.
Traffic problems must be addressed
This is a plea to not return to the way it was before the traffic cameras.
When the program was in effect, many, if not most, drivers obeyed the speed limit. That was gratifying to see because that was the way it was meant to be. What many of us don't want is to return to what was "normal": tailgating, speeding and the compulsion of drivers to catch up to the car in the front, no matter how far ahead it is.
We definitely need some kind of legislation to keep in check the out-of-control traffic problems we have here. Legislators, come up with some kind of plan to keep the traffic woes in check and satisfy the majority.
Roy E. Shigemura
No chance at legacy
With Gov. Cayetano's term almost up, it gives me time to reflect on his administration. I heard him speak at a function at Washington Place, and he stated to the crowd that he wanted to carry on the legacy of Gov. Burns.
For the record, Mr. Cayetano, you are not a Jack Burns.
Meghan Statts
Car rental tax hike would hurt economy
Your politicians talk a lot these days about reviving tourism. But now a bill to authorize an increase in the surtax on rental cars from $3 to $8 is progressing through the House.
My wife and I saw the disastrous effect of Sept. 11 on tourism: We made the latest of many trips to visit family on the Big Island on Sept. 17. We've never seen hotels, restaurants and tours so empty. When we dined at the King Kamehameha Hotel, there was only one other couple there.
Current hotel and car taxes add over $200 to a 10-day visit, assuming an average hotel cost of $150 per night. And this new soak-the-tourist bill would add an additional $50.
The surest way to discourage an economic activity is to tax it. Hawai'i's thousands of laid-off visitor industry workers should remember: Those politicians who talk about getting your jobs back obviously don't mean it.
Guess they want that extra visitors' tax money so they can pay out more in welfare.
Joseph Stevenson
Indianapolis
Property assessments don't make sense
I enjoyed Robbie Dingeman's Feb. 11 story on property tax assessments.
My single-family home in Hawai'i Kai was assessed at $385,000. Funny, a professional assessor had just assessed my home at $325,000 for a loan refinance. Same month.
Hey, Jeremy — what's a good way to raise revenue without "raising taxes"? Oh, yeah, increase the assessment on the working people of the City and County of Honolulu. Increase revenue while claiming that you didn't raise taxes.
Good one, City Council. Thanks for helping us out.
Robbie's story should have included another choice in the headline: science, speculation "or politics"?
Douglas Vincent
Traffic cameras don't stop fatal accidents
Regarding the Feb. 6 "Once upon a time there was death" letter by Mark Sprague: Great story. It really tugged on my heartstrings. A lot of good your company's ticket will do as it arrives in the offending parties' mailbox three days after the accident.
Only police interdiction prior to this accident could have changed the hypothetical outcome. Quit trying to paint those against your camera scheme as somehow being selfish predators bent on the destruction of "Mr. Lawabider."
Kory Turnbow
Waipahu
