Letters to the Editor
Travel convention went off beautifully
As travel writer and photographer and members of the Society of American Travel Writers, we had the recent privilege of being in your area for a convention hosted by Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Should anyone there doubt the dedication and professionalism of your tourism folks, we can attest to both. Hard work such as theirs is what puts states such as yours at the top of travelers' lists of preferred destinations.
During our visit, we were impressed with your state, its people, its heritage, its sense of history and its vision for tourism.
We thank all our hosts — and everyone involved, whether in big or small ways — for making our stay both enjoyable and productive. From chefs' creations to transportation logistics for a group of some 380, attention to detail was both professional and superb.
To our new friends in the Pacific, we can only say "thank you" as we head to our computer and light table to busy ourselves sharing the word with the world.
Aloha, y'all.
Lynn Grisard Fullman
Travel writer
Milton Fullman
Photographer
Birmingham, Ala.
Editorial went too far
The editorial comment in the Nov. 6 paper that attributed the admirable physical climate of Hawai'i to four decades of Democratic effort was going a little too far, don't you think? Social climate et al., yes, but let's keep credit where it is due.
Richard Brill
Clinton had 'power' failure on elections
A Republican governor in Hawai'i? A resounding Republican showing to control Congress?
I guess we now know how much "power" Bill Clinton has to turn out the vote — against Democrats.
I'll start the fund to get him out here for the special election; we'd love to have that seat, too.
The voters have spoken and seen through the demagoguery and deception of so many Democratic campaigns.
Dan Morin
Salt Lake
Gov.-elect Lingle already contributing
The day after the election, I saw it virtually everywhere: hope. You can see it in people's eyes; maybe it was a bigger smile or a taller walk. But it's there and it wasn't there before. When you have it, you will always go 10 steps farther than if you didn't have it.
Linda Lingle has already contributed as our governor-elect; but it's a long road ahead. As long as there is a healthy supply of hope, we'll persevere as we make the hard changes ahead.
Eric Rosso
Election Day results spark renewed anger
Election Day 2002 brings us Linda Lingle, who during a debate with Mazie Hirono wasted her sole opportunity to pose a question to her opponent by challenging Hirono's prior support of same-sex marriage — an issue that isn't even close to being current anymore.
The election also brings us Duke Aiona, whom the Hawai'i Christian Coalition identifies as supportive of legislation that would ban both marriage and civil unions for gays, and separate legislation that would prohibit taxpayers' money from being used for reciprocal beneficiary benefits for gay couples.
And, of course, Mike Gabbard, who has worn his anti-gay obsessions on his sleeve, is headed to the City Council.
Although these developments likely mean little or nothing to most Hawai'i residents, elected officials — and The Advertiser — should take note of them. They combine to spark renewed anger and discontent within the gay community. Gay people like me, heretofore largely uninvolved in civic affairs, will become increasingly animated about issues that affect us.
Stay tuned.
David M. Walter
'Aiea
Surf heights have standard measurement
Michael Plowman makes a bit of a mountain out of a mushburger (Letters, Nov. 5). Local TV weather, The Advertiser and the National Weather Service all now report surf heights from trough to crest, i.e., measuring the front of the wave.
Over the last year or so, they have all been consistent in delivering this message and measurement system to the surfing and beach-going public. I, for one, don't feel confused when making my surfing plans.
I do share Plowman's view that Pat Caldwell's online surf forecast (via the UH School of Ocean and Earth Science) was the most educated, accurate and well-researched information available in Hawai'i.
Sadly, I suspect that Caldwell's useful Web site was shut down out of fear of possible legal action. In the wake of lawsuits involving accidents at Sacred Falls and the Sandy Beach blowhole, I suppose I can't blame the UH School of Ocean and Earth Science for not wanting to be in the business of providing information about naturally occurring conditions.
The unfortunate result is that we have lost a reliable source of scientifically based information. I hope there is a way that Pat's surf forecast can be reinstated.
Mark Fox
