Posted on: Friday, November 22, 2002
Letters to the Editor
Special election doesn't make sense
The idea of having a special election on Nov. 30 to fill Patsy Mink's congressional seat is ridiculous.
It will cost Hawai'i's taxpayers $1.3 for this special election, and since the House is out of session until Jan. 7, whoever is elected will never be sworn in. What a waste of money. As if we don't have enough economic problems now, we must incur more.
I think this decision was only for political reasons and the citizens be damned.
Sandra Anderson
$1.3 million for election could be better spent
It is my understanding that the U.S. Congress is done for the session already. Isn't $1.3 million to put in a "lame duck" a bit expensive? Doesn't that person have to run again next year for that seat?
If it is so important that Hawai'i has a representative, in case of an emergency, couldn't Mrs. Mink's husband represent her till next year's election?
I believe this money and the candidate's time and money can be put to better use, especially for the citizens who need to vote twice.
Milton T. Matsumoto
Shame for scheduling this special election
Now, let me see if I have this right The winner of the $1.3 million special election for Patsy Mink's seat will:
• Not be sworn in.
• Not be assigned to any committees.
• Not have to show up for roll call ... but will receive a paycheck.
The only qualification is, you must be alive.
This sounds like one of Tony Soprano's "no-show" construction jobs.
Shame on you, Dwayne Yoshina, for dishonoring Patsy's name in this manner. The $1.3 million would have been better spent on any number of women's causes that Patsy championed throughout her life.
James A. Hildenbrand
Rail transit system is critical for O'ahu
I fully support the rail transit system that was proposed in the letters written by Michael J. Lauck on Nov. 11 and 19 and by Philip S.S. Loh on Nov 16. A rail transit system is not only critical and essential, but the only way to go on O'ahu.
The building of additional roads and the express bus system would only bring more cars and more gridlock to the roads. I envision a fixed rail system for O'ahu that would be comparable to the existing Metro in the Washington, D.C,. area. As the need arises, our rail system would be extended to Hawai'i Kai, Kailua-Kane'ohe, Wai'anae and Wahiawa-Mililani areas. I also favor an increase in the state excise tax to help pay for the mass-transit system. Why not let the tourists help to pay for our rail system? Edwin S. Imamura
Parents must get involved in schools
After attending an open house at Kapolei High School recently, I don't want to hear any more complaining about the state of Hawai'i's public schools.
Our principal, Al Nagasako, and the entire staff and faculty went out of their way to open up the high school to parents — and the lack of participation by parents was pathetic.
After an informative briefing about the goals of the school, we were escorted to our children's different classrooms, where we discussed the curriculum with teachers and were also able to bring up ideas or issues we felt were important. I was very impressed and also annoyed that so many other parents did not take the time and make the effort to show up.
I had a long day; I work hard; I can empathize with the demands of daily life that we all must struggle with. But, if we are to improve our schools and ensure the best possible start for our children, parents must get motivated and give up a few hours once in a while to show they care.
And thank you, Kapolei High teachers and staff — you are making a difference.
Mary C. Roux
Developers should pick up schools tab
How kind of Advertiser writer Catherine Toth to declare on the development industry's behalf that that industry shall pay its "fair share" of costs for new schools required on account of residential growth onto open space and ag land in Central O'ahu.
In all truth, however, that definition was created through a system that historically supported industry ahead of other interests.
On the other hand, the city's Central O'ahu Development Plan Report, independently authored by Group 70 Plan Pacific, determined that the state Department of Education's policy of accepting developers' donation of unimproved land as their fair share leaves taxpayers to cover roughly 95 percent of total costs for new schools.
It's with dismay that I read of council members, like incoming Chairman Gary Okino, passing the buck to another level of government with statements like "It's up to the state to ... provide education," when the city's general plan requires full development financing by the private sector. The full infrastructure costs for growth in 'Ewa and Central O'ahu will easily exceed $1.5 billion over the next 20 years. These costs can be paid either by private industry and homeowners who directly benefit from the government services provided or by all state residents through higher taxes.
Requiring growth and development to pay its own way is the beneficial choice for both market-based environmental protection and fiscal responsibility.
Richard Weigel
Separation between academics, P.E. needed
As a retired academic instructor, I am absolutely in favor of placing P.E. requirements at the top of the schools' and parents' priorities. I would even issue sports degrees up to the B.A. degree in all categories.
For the 30 years of my career, I was unable to have one single day of classroom teaching without excuse slips from the P.E. department. It goes without saying that the excused absentees were never able to catch up, as I taught a foreign language. However, the P.E. department kept growing and flourishing.
Of course, every student knows that academic courses are to be "attended," not necessarily "learned." So do most parents — for they, too, came from the same background.
Year after year, Hawai'i is at the bottom among the states regarding academics, sciences and math. But, once at the bottom, the only way is up.
I would favor a total separation between academics and P.E. I would encourage students interested in sports to flock to P.E. courses — for most are wasting their time in academics: They are not interested.
I also would support a separate budget, as academic instructors more often than not must buy their own chalk (for we do not use uniforms, which, of course, have budget priority). However, I would insist that the 10 percent — or maybe 20 percent (I am whimsical of this percentage) — of students interested in academics not be required to attend P.E. and thus would devote their efforts to become literate in order to make their way into the technical world awaiting them.
Georges Gerard
Crackdown needed on neighborhood speeding
I feel that a stricter policy on speeding should be enforced within our community.
In recent months, problems have arisen with speeding in my neighborhood of Moanalua Valley. There are many children who play on the sidewalks and in some cases run across the street.
The posted limit on the signs is 25 mph. There have been many drivers who have been speeding through our neighborhood with no hesitation. This is a big problem. A day may come when an innocent pedestrian gets hit by a speeding car, and our community is trying to prevent that.
I've been talking with our community members and trying to relay the message to everyone in our neighborhood ... but nothing seems to work.
Rodrigo E. Castro Jr.
Thanks for the support
Mahalo to all the folks, and especially our friends in Waimanalo, for continuing to support our businesses during this time of the Makapu'u Road closure. We really appreciate your patronage.
Judy Mick
Artificial noisemakers prohibited since 1982
During the past few weeks, there has been some confusion in news stories regarding the use of artificial noisemakers, such as ThunderStix, at UH sporting events. The implication is that Aloha Stadium is denying football fans the use of ThunderStix — specifically during the UH vs. Alabama game on Nov. 30. I assure you this isn't the case.
Artificial noisemakers have been prohibited at Aloha Stadium since 1982. Artificial noisemakers are also prohibited at all University of Hawai'i sporting facilities, including the Stan Sheriff Center, Rainbow Stadium and the Wahine Softball Stadium.
Additionally, NCAA rules for men's basketball and WAC rules for women's volleyball do not allow use of artificial noisemakers during play.
I have been in touch with the UH athletic director and he agrees with abiding by the anti-noisemaker rule we have in place here at Aloha Stadium. I think it is important to point out that the 8,000 ThunderStix referred to in news accounts were not paid for by the university's marketing department, as previously reported.
Ultimately, the use of artificial noisemakers isn't necessary to show our support for UH Warrior football. I strongly urge Hawai'i sports fans to turn out and support all UH teams with a loud and hearty use of lung power.
Edwin Hayashi
Why all the weapons?
In reference to the person who had firearms stolen from his Sunset Beach home: I am left shaking my head wondering why anyone in such a magnificent and beautiful part of the world would feel the need for, let alone be allowed to possess, such a huge arsenal of deadly assault weapons in the first place.
G. Fogarty
Tired of Democrats
Eight years of Ben was a major reason Linda won. Almost all of my Democratic friends voted for Linda because they were tired of the very tired Democratic control of the Islands and Mazie could not separate herself from that.
Vinnie Linares
Hilo
Mililani
Kapolei
Chairman, Sprawl Committee
Sierra Club O'ahu Group
For the staffs at Mel's Market, Naturally Hawaiian Gallery and Naturally Hawaiian Lunchwagon.
Aloha Stadium manager
Windsor, Queensland, Australia
