Letters to the Editor

'People's Republic' was right on target

The only reason the elected officials of the "People's Republic of Hawai'i" don't like the Forbes article is that it's 100 percent on target.

I have been doing business in Hawai'i for 40 years, and each year it just gets worse — more permits, applications, licenses — in order to function in this state.

To work and play in the "People's Republic of Hawai'i" requires me to submit or reapply every year for 32Ê different licenses or permits. That's right, folks — and I would be glad to list them if the newspaper would give me space.

Last one out, please turn out the lights. I'm too old to leave, and it will never get any better in my lifetime.

Deane Gonzalez

Gas price cap bill will make matters worse

Every legislator admitted that the gasoline price cap legislation (SB 2179) is flawed, and while most of them still voted in favor of it, a significant number saw the wisdom of rejecting it.

We consider this legislation to be harmful to our livelihood and an example of good intentions gone wrong. We are opposed to legislation that restricts private business' ability to earn a fair and reasonable profit and will put some dealers out of business.

The two-year delay actually compounds the problem by casting a cloud of uncertainty over our future. We are concerned about whether our supplier will remain in this state under these restrictive circumstances, whether banks will loan us needed capital for improvements and expansion, and whether we can look in our employees' eyes and tell them there is a future for them in this industry.

In order for business to invest in Hawai'i, hire people, contribute to the community, pay taxes and be environmentally responsible, companies must be strong and profitable; it is the very heart of the American lifestyle.

We are convinced that the best way to lower prices of any product or service is for businesses to compete. SB 2179 is yet another example of the many disincentives for businesses to invest in Hawai'i.

We urge voters to contact the governor and request him to veto this fatally flawed piece of legislation.

Barney Robinson
The Hawai'i Coalition of Retail Gasoline Marketers

Gas companies will launch counteroffensive

Congratulations to our legislators for creating and passing the gas cap legislation. If they can make this work, then we will all benefit.

Even though the lawsuit against the gas companies resulted in a small fraction of what was sought, we found out the truth of how the gas companies operate in this state and how incredible their profits are here. Maybe with this legislation we can reap even greater rewards in lower, fair gas prices.

This would be good, but the consumer and our legislators must beware. The gas companies will stop at nothing to persuade us that this legislation will be bad for the consumer. You will now see gas prices in these Islands lower than on the Mainland to gain our favor.

You will hear of their dealers complaining that they will go out of business if this legislation comes to pass (you can bet their suppliers have strongly suggested that they speak out against this legislation or face termination of their leases).

This state has been a gold mine for the gas companies. They will not easily give that up.

File Keliiaa
Wai'anae

State should not bail out cultural center

To Sen. Brian Taniguchi: Who in their right mind would want to bail out the Japanese Cultural Center for $8 million?

If they can't maintain the cost of the building, then they should close it down.

I can think of many ways the $8 million can be spent. For one, the public schools are in need of repairs. I don't understand. I thought the state was having financial difficulties.

By the way, can you also request another million dollars? I'm having a hard time keeping up with my bills. Perhaps you would like to bail me out, too.

Mel Ono
Mililani

Decision to protect gun rights correct

Regarding your May 10 editorial "Our most treasured freedom: gun rights?": Our attorney general should be applauded for correcting past policy — a policy that was at odds with the Founding Fathers' intended meaning of the Second Amendment.

Those same reasons still apply today. We are not a utopian society without the need for deterrent. We are not without crime, and there's no way to predict that at some future time the militia (Founders' description equals "the whole of the people") might be needed.

If the Second Amendment is anachronistic dogma, perhaps we should look at abridging other amendments — like the First Amendment: freedom of the press?

Please treasure and protect all of our freedoms, not just your favorites.

John Mack
Mililani

Blame the students for textbook situation

In response to David Webb's May 15 letter, I have to agree the textbook situation in our schools is deplorable. However, as a teacher in our public schools for the past seven years, I do not see the state as the indifferent villain.

I have witnessed, daily, the destruction of textbooks by students at all levels.

When I was a student in Hawai'i, we were assigned textbooks at the beginning of the year and were expected to care for and return them at the end of the year or pay for their replacement. Due to losses, the policy became that textbooks did not leave the classroom. This limited teachers and students to classwork only, negating homework.

Still, students show an extreme disrespect for their learning materials. One book vandalized no longer affects one student but all students who use that book in subsequent classes. How many times is the DOE expected to buy the same text?

Our children need to understand that textbooks are an extremely valuable and expensive resource. Otherwise, we'll be left with teacher-generated materials, or none at all.

Steven Kent
Wai'alae Nui

This is a high school, not the 'real world'

In the May 15 letters, Robert Rodrigues of Melbourne, Fla., commented on the graduation dress code being relaxed for Baldwin High School. He may be correct in saying a rigid dress code is mandatory in many a company policy, but he needs to understand that graduation is about finishing school and is not a job.

We don't need to shock the students into the real world overnight. They will have plenty of time to prepare themselves for that.

Michael Nomura
Kailua

Thousands for one dog, not a penny for others

Isn't anyone going to ask why the Hawaiian Humane Society on O'ahu had $50,000 — and pet lovers everywhere donated thousands more — to rescue one pet at sea, but nothing at all for the 88 pets the Maui Humane Society confiscated from Mrs. Jean Bermudez and then euthanized because it "did not have the facilities" to maintain them?

You filled the editorial pages with letters from the Hawaiian Humane Society and people happy to support the rescue of one dog; where were they when Mrs. Bermudez' pets needed their help, love and affection?

Rico Leffanta