Letters to the Editor
Police officers sad, angered about oath
I am sad and disappointed, as a member of the Honolulu Police Department, that our oath of office no longer makes any reference to God.
Speaking to several of our brother and sister officers, I found that they, too, are angered at our department's willingness to give in to Mitch Kahle's demands to eliminate any reference to God.
If Mr. Kahle ever needs police assistance, he might want to request officers from the 141st recruit class or higher because the 1,800 remaining officers will carry out our duties, "so help us God."
James Shyer
'Ewa Beach
We should be ashamed for keeping our leaders
As adults and parents, we should be ashamed. Eighty-two public schools failing to teach our children?
I have listened for years to our leaders say that education was their priority. I would certainly hate to see how many schools would have failed if it were not a priority.
Our leadership in Hawai'i has done nothing to improve the education of our children. We all should be ashamed for not changing our leaders.
The No Child Left Behind Act is a new federal education law that mandates yearly improvement in the nation's high-poverty schools. It's news to me that Keolu Elementary and Kailua Elementary are in high-poverty areas.
If we don't make a drastic change this coming election, I can assure you it will be more of the same failures next year and for years to come.
Bruce R. MacPherson
Kailua
Change is last thing party in power wants
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
The Democrats are promising "change." No wonder. Who could be proud of the record of superlatives they have given us over the last 40 years?
- Worst state in the Union in public education, by any criteria. How embarrassing to be behind even Louisiana.
- Highest overall tax burden in America.
- Highest number of convicted felons from our state Legislature.
- Among the top 10 percent of states with the highest cost of living — that means more jobs per person so that we can make enough to eke out an existence for ourselves and our families.
- Worst state in the Union for small businesses because we are regulated to death.
- Highest number of state employees per capita.
- Twelve straight years of economic malaise while the rest of America is on a roll.
- Unions in control of state government more than in any other state. While there is essentially nothing wrong with unions, they have no business running our state.
If you want to be fooled again, vote Democratic. Nothing will change.
Change is the last thing the party in power wants.
Pamela Anne Magee
Stop throwing mud and give us solutions
Mazie and Linda, yes, we all know education and the economy and businesses need to be fixed. Change is a must.
Now, please stop throwing mud and slinging dirty digs at the other candidate and give me a plan for exactly what you are going to do to initiate those changes.
I do not want to hear about who did what to get us here. I want clear and concise plans to get us out of this mess.
Barbara Vincent
Hawai'i must begin to recycle its trash
I moved from Boulder, Colo., four years ago. When I lived in Boulder, I would separate glass and plastic bottles, cans and newspapers for the weekly collection along with the other trash collection.
In my native Michigan, I collected 10-cent cans and bottles since the 1970s. Here in this beautiful place with its limited space, I have thrown glass, aluminum, paper and plastics away in the trash. (If I had a car, I'd bring these items to the center two miles from my house.)
The other week I saw your headline concerning diminishing landfill space. Does it not make sense in a place as precious as these Islands to recycle all that we are able? I am tired of wasting resources personally and want to stand up and be heard on this issue and call for the start of a program of recycling.
Whether it be more accessible drop-off centers or curbside recycling along with the regular trash disposal, a program should be started as a sign of ecological and resources awareness.
Michael C. Cleereman
Aloha Festivals Parade should get CBS airing
The Aloha Festivals Parade once again rolled down Waikiki. The locals were there, along with the tourists. Absent was the CBS crew with its contingent of local techs, craftsmen and artists.
It is ironic that the festival's Web site stated that the parade would be shown on CBS this Thanksgiving Day. Even KHNL's News8 announced it. Wrong. Last year's last-minute cancellation of the parade left CBS with large expenses and nothing to show for it. The parade should have gone on. The Macy's Parade wasn't canceled in New York, but ours was.
I called Mike Gargiulo, the CBS producer for the parade in Hawai'i for the last 25 years. No one has called him to ask why CBS wasn't coming back and what would it take to return. Mr. Gargiulo and CBS have given Hawai'i a major boost in tourism by airing the parade. They supported our economy by hiring many local people. Yet we made them leave.
If the mayor and governor would contact Mr. Gargiulo, we may be able to bring back this tradition of seeing the parade on Thanksgiving Day. All it takes is a call to start the ball rolling.
Rodney Kobayakawa
National Mobile Television-Hawai'i
OHA or Kamehameha should come to rescue
There is every reason for the Kodak Show of so many, many years to continue. This is Hawai'i, and it should be supported by Hawai'i.
Here's the opportunity for Hawaiian expression. Either OHA or Kamehameha Schools should step in and proudly support the program beginning now — and accept it as it has always been: Hawai'i recollections for everyone.
Ted Gibson
Kailua
Mink took time out to show compassion
I am deeply saddened by Rep. Patsy Mink's death. I know the people of Hawai'i will miss her.
I remember meeting Rep. Mink several years ago at the Maui Disability Alliance Legislative Forum. We were all excited that a woman of her stature would come to our legislative forum. She was concerned about the needs of people who had disabilities. In subsequent years, Rep. Mink would respond to our invitations to attend the forum if her schedule permitted.
My deceased mother, Carmen Oliveira, who was the same age as Rep. Mink, often spoke very highly of her. Rep. Mink was a wonderful role model. She cared about the people of this state. We will miss her at this year's seventh annual Maui Disability Alliance Legislative Forum.
She was truly an inspirational and remarkable woman. We bid a fond aloha to her. May God comfort her family and friends during this most difficult time.
Dr. Charmaine R. Bissen
Wailuku, Maui
Mrs. Mink didn't represent my views
I hope that you would give the opposing viewpoint to Patsy Mink. I think the public forum she received from her representative's position let her push her extreme liberal agenda to the detriment of the country and Hawai'i. I believe she was in an extreme minority (feminist, abortion rights, etc.) that put her far out of the mainstream of even Democratic politics.
As far as "a true champion of the people," I take issue with that. I was embarrassed that she was a representative from the state that I now call home. I mean no disrespect to Mrs. Mink, but she couldn't even begin to represent my views and opinions on major issues.
Hawai'i now needs to come into the 21st century and needs to let dissenting opinions come forth so the rest of the country doesn't laugh at the "hicks" from Hawai'i.
Philip D. Park
Pearl City
Use common sense when you cast ballot
Sen. Dan Inouye says it is "ghoulish" to think that the Democratic Party kept Patsy Mink's condition a secret. The news of her death just happened to come after the ballot cannot be changed.
The Democrats want us to vote for her to "honor" Mrs. Mink. I think the fact that the Democrats want the people of Hawai'i to vote for someone who is now deceased is ghoulish.
People of Hawai'i, please think about this before you vote for the late Patsy Mink. We, the taxpayers, will have to foot the bill of $2 million for a special election and have no representation in Congress for six months. Give your condolences to the Mink family, but vote using common sense.
Dawn Shimabukuro
Why spend $2 million for special election?
At first I simply could not believe that the voters are being encouraged to vote for someone who couldn't possible serve and pay an additional $2 million for the privilege (of having a special election); then I remembered that this is the same party that has run a government that wasted millions of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars on van cams and police carts that tip over.
Since these politicians are also supported by the taxpayer, when was the last time any of them went out into the public sector, created some real jobs, made money and paid taxes?
Shouldn't we taxpayers vote for people who have some inkling just how hard it is to get that $2 million?
Nani Tavares
Wai'anae
It's rude to assume there'll be new vote
It's pretty rude of the news media and the Democrats to assume there will be a special election to replace the late Patsy Mink — as if Bob McDermott doesn't exist.
Even though he may have a slim chance of winning, it ain't over till it's over. Your arrogance is disgusting.
Larraine Sinclair
Kailua
Mink was dedicated to ensuring civil rights
I was both honored and fortunate to work for Patsy Mink in Washington, D.C., in 1992-93 as one of her aides while I was on sabbatical from the University of Hawai'i.
My admiration for Mink started in the late 1960s when I became aware of her political contributions, one of which was her sponsorship of education bills that significantly helped kids get money for college. I was one of them.
More importantly, she took very unpopular stands on the issue of peace over war, yet continued her ethical message throughout her career, often in the face an onslaught of criticism — even at times being called unpatriotic.
I saw firsthand her absolute dedication to ensuring civil rights for all, and her outstanding life of service to guarantee them is her testament to time and to all those who now live better lives given her steadfast dedication to fulfilling the promise of the Bill of Rights.
I have been privileged to have been a small part of her life, and for the remainder of mine I shall cherish the time she afforded me to assist in her honorable and patriotic life.
Vinnie Linares
Kula, Maui
Mink served us with great dedication
The state of Hawai'i and our country mourn the passing of our beloved Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink.
Patsy was one of the most respected public servants in the history of Hawai'i. She served the people our state and country with great dedication for social and community issues that benefited the underprivileged as well as the privileged.
Without her strong dedication and love for Hawai'i and our country, we may not have many of the benefits we enjoy today. Her unquestioned resolve, integrity, honesty and ethics are examples for all who serve and wish to serve in public office. There was no one better than Patsy.
Being born and raised on Maui, I am proud that Patsy was a Maui girl. Maui no ka oi, Patsy. God be with you. My condolences go to her family. The people of Hawai'i will miss her, but her legacy will live on.
Steve Uyehara
Kalaheo, Kaua'i
Death leaves a void
Congresswoman Patsy Mink was a battling liberal; her death leaves a void.
Richard Thompson
San Diego
