Letters to the Editor
Chun, Wyatt gave much to sporting activities
On June 18, we read of the deaths of Hunky Chun, M.D., and Jack Wyatt, sports reporter.
The two men were from different walks of life but both had a love of sports and were great supporters of the younger set.
For many years, you could not go to a canoe regatta, a road race or a track meet without seeing Jack there covering it for the Star-Bulletin. He not only covered the events but became friends with the athletes and gave them tremendous support.
Just a few weeks ago while running in Ala Moana Beach Park, Jack took time out to ask how we were doing, and we spoke of the many races that are now run in the state and how popular the sport has become, not to mention the large crowds in canoe racing.
When Leah and I came here 40 years ago, when she was a member of the UH track team, Hunky Chun was a familiar sight at the road races — so much so that he and his six children became an inspiration for all of us. Hunky could be called upon day or night to solve an injury problem for any of us. He would take time out from his own workouts to give us support, advice and whatever else we needed.
Yes, they were from different worlds, but without them I doubt some of our sporting activities would have reached the success they have.
Thank you, gentlemen, for all that you gave us. You will be missed.
Jim and Leah Ferris
Old-boy machine more like the Keystone Kops
What is happening to the mighty old-boy Democratic machine? In the governor's race, it is acting more like the Keystone Kops.
Its leading candidate, Mayor Jeremy Harris, drops out because he said he didn't think he could beat Linda Lingle. At one time, he said there were sinister unnamed forces in the Democratic Party out to defeat him in the primary.
Now, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, who had earlier dropped out of the governor's race because she didn't think she could beat Harris or Republican Linda Lingle, has dropped back into the race. What does this say about her credibility as a candidate? What does it say about her consistency and political honesty?
The third Democratic candidate is a businessman, the very caricature of a "Big Five, plantation-days-arrogant Republican," who ran and lost twice for governor as a Republican. Andy Anderson saw the light and became a Democrat.
The fourth candidate and the most credible, Rep. Ed Case, speaks of reform of the state government, privatization, creating a better business climate, etc. Hmm ... doesn't that sound like a Republican?
When we have candidates like these, I hope we are seeing the final disintegration of the old-boys organization.
Let's not forget to include the rogues' gallery of other Democratic politicians — Rene Mansho, Andy Mirikitani, Jon Yoshimura, Marshall Ige, Gary Rodrigues, Henry Peters, Richard Wong, etc. This is what happens with a Southern-style one-party system in Hawai'i. They had absolute power for 40-plus years.
I hope the voters have had enough of this gross abuse of power and turn to the GOP.
Theodore Taba
Safety inspections overlook the defects
Recently I've noticed an increase in well-aged and worn vehicles on our roads with current safety inspection stickers — and some renewals not due until next June. It is well beyond reason that I have to slam on my brakes while at several car lengths due to a "safe" vehicle having burned-out brake lights or parts flying off.
Really, when will the state overhaul this program and make it fair for all concerned? I have vehicle problems that I know need to be fixed and my sticker expires in July. There won't be any "overlooked" inspections given to my vehicle.
I am tired of seeing people getting the "good" when they are the "bad." There are too many "kama'aina hook-ups," even though I've lived here since 1994. The HPD needs to be aware of this.
Shane Sommercorn
Pearl City
'Voodoo accounting' on charter schools
Castle & Cooke may want to investigate the feasibility of supporting the establishment of a charter school to support its proposed development in Leeward O'ahu.
Recently, the Department of Education reported deficits for 10 of the state's charter schools. In private meetings with charter school officials the following day, the department admitted that its estimates of deficits were greatly exaggerated. The charter school community is accustomed to the this type of "voodoo accounting" but now must take steps to assure our parents and communities that we in fact are operating in the black.
Castle & Cooke should carefully consider its options before jumping into this quagmire.
John Thatcher
Hilo
ACLU of Hawai'i has its priorities all wrong
I used to respect the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i and contributed to it from time to time. But my opinion of it has changed. The ACLU's stance on two recent issues points out the problem:
• The ACLU used precious resources and manpower to force McKinley High School to accept a boy going to graduation ceremonies in girls' clothes. The ACLU believes it's a civil right for a male to be accepted in our society as female simply because that's what the male wants. Essentially, it believes that it's a person's civil right to be accepted as something he is not.
• The ACLU has stood by quietly and even given its tacit approval to blatant restrictions on political free speech. One of the biggest problems we face in society is the fact that only famous or rich people or those with connections in the media get elected. Political sign-waving was one of the only tools that a poor candidate had. Yet the ACLU refuses to stand up against the powerful financial and political interests that are determined to outlaw this grass-roots politicking.
In short, the ACLU wastes its precious time and resources protecting imaginary so-called civil rights and neglects to protect the people's actual civil rights.
Todd Bishop
Kailua
Prove that helmets work, maybe we'll wear them
Regarding the June 18 letter by Dr. Jack Scaff, who is appalled to see many motorcyclists not wearing helmets: There is no helmet law for adults in Hawai'i. We haven't broken any laws, but we are still made to look as if we did.
What is ironic about Scaff's comment is that there is a seat-belt law, and the estimated 6,000 drivers caught during HPD's "Click It or Ticket" program did break the law.
In 1992, medical staff, insurance companies and the public wanted a helmet law but could not prove there were more head injuries in motorcycle accidents than in vehicle accidents.
Fact is, vehicle accidents lead the nation in head injuries and not motorcycle accidents. If you believe in the use of a helmet to save lives, you should push for a helmet law for vehicles. Prove to motorcyclists that helmets work and maybe we'll follow.
Roy Gomez
State director, Street Bikers United
Ethics commission must have oversight
Regarding Leolani Abdul's June 16 letter on the salary of the Ethics Commission's executive director: I think she is wrong in insisting that the commission set the salary. This is tantamount to giving it a blank check.
Oversight has to come from somewhere, even if it's a dysfunctional Legislature.
S. Nelson
Hale'iwa
