Letters to the Editor

Ward is treacherous to wheelchair users

I wholeheartedly agree with David Shapiro's July 3 column. He states that he almost lost his life as he attempted to negotiate the treacherous Ward Avenue traffic in his wheelchair.

I also use a power chair and have lived less than a block away from this extremely dangerous area for almost 10 years. I have been waiting for somebody to put in curb cuts, but there still are none.

I have almost been hit more times than I care to remember by oncoming cars as I make my way up Ward Avenue from Ala Moana Boulevard for home. I have to use the street.

I also enjoy going to the new theater complex close to where I live. Sometimes, if the mood strikes me to chance it, I will try to cross the street fronting the movies and go to Ward Warehouse. Except for the one cut by Dixie Grill, which the authorities were forced to put in because of the ADA, I am on my own to get to either place.

Another one of my favorite outings is going to the Blaisdell for a play, an exhibit or a concert. My companion refuses to accompany me because she says it is too hazardous. She says she's not crazy enough to walk into the street.

Is it going to take a fatality before the powers-that-be get off their collective 'okole and fix this unacceptable situation?

The state and city continue to throw the responsibility ball back and forth.

Eric Parr

Duke Bainum also 'stuck to his guns'

While Jeff Kino's July 24 letter gives kudos to Mufi Hannemann as being the only politician he has seen "stick to his guns," Mr. Kino fails to mention that Duke Bainum has also decided to remain a mayoral candidate and not jump into another contest.

On June 14, when Mr. Bainum announced his plans would not change and that he was still committed to running for mayor of Honolulu, Hannemann declared that he was still weighing his options about whether to seek another office.

All told, Bainum was the third of the five mayoral candidates who declared they would not seek another office, with only Mazie Hirono returning to the race for governor. Apparently Hannemann is not the only one deserving of three cheers.

Kimberly Rohloff

Kids must come first whenever possible

I'm sure the headline of your July 30 editorial didn't mean to imply that "Muslim" foster care is the only religious group where kids must come first.

In fact, when one gives further thought to your arguments, this stance clearly lends support to placing a child with foster parents who share the religious affiliation of the birth parents.

This means that Orthodox Christian children should be placed with Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholic children with Roman Catholics, Buddhist children with Buddhists, etc. I couldn't agree more. Of course, these should be guidelines, and the state may not always be able to meet them.

A similar argument could also be made for a family's ethnic background, since many family traditions, dietary protocols (as stated in the editorial) and other aspects of daily life are also commonly established along ethnic lines.

Further, your argument could be applied to the parents' sexual orientation and preference. I can't help but wonder if The Advertiser would be so brave as to argue against adoption by gay parents if a heterosexual couple was available. Then again, perhaps your editor only intended to address the children's religious rights, or even more narrowly, Muslim religious rights.

You should clarify your position.

Greg and Alice Marie Malick
Kane'ohe

Tanonaka's position certainly refreshing

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Dalton Tanonaka called for the abolishment of the office at a forum where he and seven other L.G. candidates presented their views.

I was shocked and asked myself, "Why is he running for an office he wants to abolish?" I was pleased with his explanation. Tanonaka says he wants to bring value to the office and make it worthwhile for taxpayers to fund, not just sit on his butt for eight years and collect a paycheck. He says if the L.G. job cannot be made meaningful, he would move to do away with it.

Every election, L.G. candidates promise wonderful benefits from their plans when in office, but once on the job they are seldom heard from. I agree with Tanonaka: If the L.G.'s office is to be used only as a stepping-stone to the governor's mansion, let's get rid of it.

Kathy Li

School vouchers will give parents a choice

The state has a monopoly on education in Hawai'i. To create competition among the public, private and parochial schools, I favor school vouchers.

This would give parents a choice as to where they send their children, and the competition would improve the quality of education.

Phil Robertson
Candidate at large, Board of Education