Letters to the Editor
Letter that criticized trash pick-up erred
Regarding Pam Smith's June 4 letter about our group's trash pick-up: We've been doing it for 12 years as part of the state's Adopt-a-Highway program. The state has always picked up what we collect — that's the agreement. In the past, there was much more litter to be collected, and now we have a handle on it.
Several years ago, the city would only allow me to take two tires and two loads of personal trash to the convenience center per day, and there was a letter on file there. Our group was picking up everything we could.
I do not need to attend the Weed & Seed restoration committee meetings, as they plan on doing what we've been doing. The chairman of the committee will call me when there is an event planned, and our group will join in the effort.
I have been looking for more ways to get rid of trash. At the Earth Day clean-up, Haseko Construction supplied a 40-yard dumpster and equipment to load it, and the Kapolei police station had nine officers to help. We filled the dumpster.
I finish what I start, and I do not give up!
Jeff Alexander
'Ewa Beach
We must be willing to invest in children
Quality education is a must for all of our children. The per-pupil spending amount must take into consideration the special expertise and training needed in Hawai'i.
Our state is a blend of the beautiful colors of children from Asia and Polynesia as well as those from the continental U.S. and other places. Our teachers have a challenging job, teaching children for whom English is not their first language.
Our children have a challenging job, as well, trying to learn those things that are important for them here in the Islands but that will also prepare them for life in the larger societal context.
All this has been said before. The bottom line seems to be: Do we want more money in our pockets today, or are we willing to invest in our children for a future that will be better for them, for our state and for our country? We cannot afford to be shortsighted about the educational needs of our children.
I support whatever efforts need to be made to find ways to better finance the education of those who will be the future leaders of Hawai'i and beyond.
Barbara Grace Ripple
'Aiea
Forget trains, ferry, and build our road
"Some climb aboard a dream," the May 2 article about one man's dream for rebuilding the old rail passenger trains of 50 years ago along the Leeward Coast, ironically points out the problem of the transportation realities of today's commuters.
While Rep. Willie Espero "dreams" of spending millions of taxpayer dollars in rebuilding old railroad tracks and trains that were abandoned long ago because they were not financially viable, he does nothing to help construction of modern-day roads needed in the 'Ewa area to accommodate our expanding population.
With his district's transportation needs falling far behind the pace of developers building new homes and hundreds of new families moving into 'Ewa Beach and onto Ft. Weaver Road every year, Espero dreams of the unworkable transportation solutions of ferry systems and fixed-rail trains rather than his nightmare of solving the present-day highway construction needs of his constituents.
Espero would prefer we all abandon our cars and hop on the ferry or fixed rail he wants to spend millions of our taxpayer dollars to support. Not only has he ignored our needs, he also voted this year to raid the funds that were intended to build the portion of the Kapolei Parkway connection from 'Ewa Beach to the north-south road.
Let's stop the pie-in-the-sky transportation system of costly rail and ferry and give the commuters of the 'Ewa plain the real traffic relief they want by building the north-south road without delay.
Don Mills
'Ewa Beach
Athletes sign-waved with good intentions
Regarding the May 30 story "Politicking not for players, coaches told": My son is a member of the Pearl City High School football team. He came home one day and asked if he could attend a function for Mazie Hirono. Coach Onosai Tanuvasa had some extra tickets and wanted to treat "his kids" to dinner.
My initial reaction was that they would be used to campaign for Ms. Hirono. My son explained that the whole team was invited and it might be fun. Although it turned out to be politically and ethically incorrect, the coaches' intentions were good. The impression I got was that the coaches were trying to promote "team unity" by doing something as a team outside the football environment, which I feel is a positive gesture. To my understanding, the boys were not required to carry signs but volunteered anyway because it looked like fun.
My question: Does this incident warrant a full-length article in the newspaper? I think it should be saved for a more positive story. The Pearl City High School football team rarely has winning seasons. As discouraging as it may sound, the boys continue to practice hard every day and wear their uniforms with pride. From what I have noticed, the coaching staff is really bringing this team together. The boys are excited about playing football again. Maybe this will be their turn-around season.
How about printing something positive next time?
R. Mendiola
Pearl City
Local air carriers should have service to Kapolei
The new theme park and future growth of Kapolei is exciting indeed. If Kapolei is to become the "self-sustained Second City," when will one or both of our two local air carriers begin interisland or trans-Pacific service directly into Kalaeloa?
I imagine, with all the competitiveness since the failed merger, this is a logical next step to increase exposure and market share.
Maybe we shall just wait for United to launch a daily 757 from LAX instead? Kalaeloa is not too close to HNL. Just look at Long Beach — just several miles from LAX. Long Beach was ignored for years until Jet Blue grabbed the few available gates; now American wants them.
Michael Uslan
Airline Pilot
Charlie Wedemeyer must not be missed
Courage, inspiration, love: These are just words tossed around daily, but to see and hear them in person from Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyer is a privilege and honor.
Charlie's passion for life, after over 26 years with Lou Gehrig's disease, has not changed. The illness has not slowed him down a bit. The love between Charlie and Lucy is the stuff movies are made of. No amount of money can buy what they have.
Last week, a number of us had the special privilege of listening to Lucy talk about Charlie and his battle to go on with life. Does she want sympathy? No, they don't need it or want it. Did he say, "Why me?" Definitely not.
As a gifted athlete, both as a player and a coach, he made us all proud. A native son who excelled in school and sports at Michigan State. But more important, he is a decent human being.
Was the road of life difficult? Sure; we all sometimes face difficulty in our lives, but he turned disadvantages into advantages and a disability into an ability to inspire others. His smile is contagious and sincere, and his eyes talk to you in a very personal way.
He and Lucy say it is about "attitude." Humor and laughter are a very important part of enjoying life, no matter what hardships or handicaps one is faced with. In life it is not how long you live, but how well you live. Too many people have money and material things but are not happy.
The next time Charlie and Lucy return to Hawai'i and graciously give of their time to speak and have open discussions, don't make excuses for missing this opportunity. Many times in life we do not get a second chance. Make the time. You are the loser for not letting Charlie and Lucy cross your life.
Tom Sugita
Pearl City
Voters of Hawai'i will choose the best ideas
Having read your articles on Mayor Jeremy Harris quitting the race for governor, more than ever I felt the political bondage that politicians have on the state of Hawai'i.
Not once did I read about who is the best candidate for the people of Hawai'i. Instead, I read about how Democrats are scrambling to keep the Republicans from entering office, and how the Republicans are going to try to use their best shot — Linda Lingle — to capture the governorship.
No one is asking "Who is best for the people of Hawai'i, regardless of whether or not he or she is a Republican, Democrat or Independent?" The main issue is that Democrats simply want another Democrat and Republicans want to put in one of theirs.
Well, I think the people of Hawai'i are smarter than this. They will choose the man or woman with the best ideas. They will choose a man or woman who will walk the talk. Hawai'i doesn't need to play the label game. Hawai'i needs a man or woman of substance — moral, political and philosophical. One who will constantly say to himself: "What is best for the people of Hawai'i?"
Rich Wilbur
Democrats should also present creed
I want to thank Shirley Hasenyager for her May 28 letter listing the pertinent points of the Republican Party creed. It triggered my thinking about young people, the children of the baby boomers just now coming of voting age.
I hope a Democrat will write the same for his party for young people.
I want something in print to send to my grandchildren who are just becoming old enough to vote. I want them to understand the two-party system. What little exposure they have had in civics and history classes may have gone in one ear and out the other. I want them to exercise their privilege of the vote.
Jean P. Wade
Kailua
Don't feed pigeons? Of course you may
I am very disturbed by the various park and recreation personnel constantly harassing the many sweet and kind old Japanese visitors for feeding the pigeons on Waikiki Beach.
They say it is against the law because the birds have many diseases and also leave behind scraps that attract rats. Both statements are entirely false.
I am a retired avian veterinarian who specialized in bird care for 30 years. These birds are disease-free or they would not survive to get fed. Also, they are nature's vacuum cleaners, as nothing gets left behind after they are through eating.
I understand that parks personnel have orders from above, but ignorance is no excuse. Do your research before scolding and scaring our innocent Japanese guests.
Randy Zellinger, DVM
Claims of 'tax hell' rooted in ignorance
Forbes magazine, the Tax Foundation of Hawai'i, local Republicans and others claim that Hawai'i is a "tax hell." As evidence, they refer to U.S. Census reports that say Hawai'i taxpayers have about the second highest per capita tax burden in the nation.
They overlook other Census reports that rank Honolulu 63rd for the amount of average city taxes paid per capita. Our city taxes are so low because the state pays for schools, which take one-third of its revenues.
Elsewhere, property taxes by local governments pay for schools. Since our state income tax — a fairer system — pays for education, Hawai'i property taxes are among the lowest in the U.S. Yet our property values are very high, part of our famously high cost of living.
When we combine all state and local taxes, Hawai'i ranks around the midpoint of the 50 states. This position is remarkable since Hawai'i tops the nation in the cost of living, higher than Alaska or New York. That is a high cost for government, as well as for individuals and businesses.
Jerome G. Manis
Risk-taking stood out in dance performance
Congratulations to the Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre and its director, Cheryl Flaharty, for creating their most controversial and complex performance yet.
The group's gift of risk-taking truly stands on its own in this island's creative climate. It is too bad Ana Paula Hofling, The Advertiser's dance critic, could not appreciate this.
Saturday night I was profoundly moved by the layered and complex exploration of the role of science and religion in our cultural psyche and also the deeper conflict between our masculine and feminine selves that "Destiny" dared to explore.
We should all celebrate this troupe's willingness to go to uncomfortable and unknown places so that we as a culture may learn about ourselves. Isn't this what art is for?
Karen Kiefer
Kailua
Seat-belt crackdown a waste of HPD time
The camera vans were supposed to have been instituted to allow police officers to spend time on more crucial aspects of crime prevention. Now the HPD is directing its attention to enforcing the seat-belt law. Those people who choose not to wear a seat belt seldom cause harm to anyone but themselves.
Does the HPD really believe that enforcement of safety-belt wearing is such a priority? Every time I pass a "Speed Limit Photo Enforced" sign on H-1, I am reminded how pervasive government lies are. The signs should now read: "Seat Belt Wearing Enforced, Other Criminal Activities Allowed."
Shelly Brown
