Letters to the editor
UH is competing with private training firms
The UH Outreach Program now moving into downtown, as well as similar programs at the community colleges, are in direct competition with private training providers.
I know how frustrating it can be to compete with state-subsidized programs. Why are the taxpayers subsidizing the salaries, benefits packages and rent for training that is already provided downtown by several very good private companies, i.e., Terabiz, CTA, Education America and others?
UH should stick to degree programs and stop competing with private training companies — or the state should give the private companies a tax exemption to cover the additional marketing required to compete.
Jeff Powell
'Ewa Beach
Crisis center needs help from its clients
For the past 32 years, the Suicide and Crisis Center, currently a division of Helping Hands Hawai'i, has been offering telephone empathy and crisis counseling service to the O'ahu community.
The center has kept alive countless persons of all ages, some feeling lethally suicidal or homicidal, or both, many of them suffering from various forms for mental illness. It has performed this service using a mixture of hundreds of highly trained volunteers and staff.
Today, the SCC is in serious trouble and may cease to exist. Traditional Department of Health contracts have been lost; the center has started a fund drive for 2003.
More importantly, the center needs written testimonials from clients who feel the SCC helped them, their loved ones or their children through a crisis. Anyone willing to provide such a written testimonial is asked to call the SCC volunteer coordinator at 440-3839.
Please, the SCC needs to exist. Help us save this vital mental health resource. Lend us your voice.
Josh Reppun
Teachers don't have reason to endorse
I was surprised to see the use of the word "ironic" in the Oct. 1 article headlined "Teachers withholding endorsement for governor." The many difficulties HSTA has had with the current administration has been well-documented in past issues of this publication.
It is not ironic that teachers are unwilling to give their support for candidates for governor. The wounds are still fresh from their last endorsement. The current campaign rhetoric concerning education is an echo from elections past.
Perhaps when politicians stand by their promises of equity for teacher pay and benefits, serious school repairs, filling the demand for books and education supplies and strengthening programs already in place, support should be considered. When we see our children's interest in education enhanced rather than enforced, there might be a reason to endorse.
John Nippolt
Negative ad will hurt
After viewing Linda Lingle's very negative ad attacking her opponent, Mazie Hirono, I remember my very wise old grandfather's saying: "You never build yourself up by tearing someone else down."
How true.
Mereda Metz
Bush's push for war doesn't have mandate
In the 2000 election, Al Gore received more than half a million more votes than George W. Bush. Ralph Nader received more than 2 million votes. There is a clear majority of American voters who did not want to go the way of President Bush's bellicose policies. He does not hold a mandate of the people. We must not make this easy for him.
In our system of justice, the burden of proof is on the prosecution. In the name of protecting that system, the president has decided that America is the judge, jury and executioner for the entire world.
What makes us sure we will always be so correct? We must repeatedly ask: why this headlong rush to war?
John McDonald
We have to speak up about our addictions
September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, but few seem to have taken notice.
Gov. Cayetano has. On Aug. 28 he signed a proclamation for the state of Hawai'i to observe Recovery Month and its theme: "Join the Voices of Recovery: A Call to Action." Gov. Cayetano challenged the media, persons in recovery, state officials, legislators and the public to get involved and speak up about their recovery.
Treatment works, recovery is real, yet few are speaking up. Why is that? Are the stigma and the misconceptions of addiction and alcoholism still too great? Or, are those in recovery needlessly silent?
If we want the public to understand recovery and accept addiction as a disease, decades after it's been declared a disease by the American Medical Association, then we're going to have to speak up. If we want to lower the barriers to treatment for those in need, then we're going to have to speak up.
I'm assuming treatment providers will speak up. Will anyone else?
P.S. I have 41 years, seven months in recovery from addiction.
M.P. "Andy" Anderson
CEO, Hina Mauka
Congratulations to all who took part in race
While the I appreciate the Na Wahine O Ke Kai race coverage and congratulate the top finishing teams, I wish there had been some recognition of all of the other teams that did not finish the race as swiftly.
This race is the culmination of a long paddling season, and only the paddlers with the most dedication and heart are willing to take on the challenge. Every single woman out on the water that day gave her all to get to the finish line, if it took her six hours or eight hours.
Having been through the experience with a crew that could not be matched for its enthusiasm and attitude, even going into the seventh hour, I want to thank them and congratulate all of the other crews that did not cross the finish line first — but won by just crossing it at all.
Kimberly Click
Koa Kai Canoe Club
'Tribute' re-election nothing but a sham
The Democratic Party's appeal to re-elect Rep. Patsy Mink is hypocrisy at its worst. This "tribute" to Rep. Mink is a transparent and crass machination, benefiting only the party, exploiting her death and making a mockery of our Constitution.
Patsy Mink will be remembered for her bedrock integrity. She was undeterred in her courageous but unpopular opposition to the Vietnam conflict, a huge embarrassment to her party at that time. I would think that Patsy Mink would herself oppose this "tribute" re-election sham. It does disservice to her memory and offends the integrity that defined her uncompromised public service.
The Democratic Party's leadership apparently regards this House seat as its party's entitlement and not that of the people. Candidates, who would not previously dare to admit to any interest in this seat, will swoop down like vultures to feed on the special election if Patsy is re-elected.
Or — just perhaps, enough people will see through this "tribute" appeal to recognize it as an insult to their intelligence.
George I. Nakamura
Mililani
Democratic arrogance robs Mink of dignity
Thank you for Lee Cataluna's insightful Oct. 1 column on the Democratic Party leadership's mishandling of Patsy Mink's sad illness and death.
The leadership's breathtaking arrogance and cynicism in withholding information from the voters and attempting to control the election even at the cost of truth and honesty have robbed Rep. Mink's death of the dignity it deserves and have unfortunately tainted her memory.
Thanks to their arrogance, the best tribute to a woman who always spoke in forthright and honest style is now for voters to show the Democratic leadership that it is, indeed, time for a change.
Kathleen Macdonald
Spending $4 million is a waste of money
Having two special elections that could cost up to $4 million is ludicrous.
Daniel Inouye calls for Hawai'i to vote for Patsy Mink as a tribute to her and also says that he wouldn't mind paying the money. Exactly. Mr. Inouye, why don't you pay the money?
It is all too well known that Hawai'i has a deficit in the budget, and much time in the Legislature was spent trying to balance it this year. How can Democrats be so shortsighted to complain heavily about the budget and then say it is OK to waste $4 million for special elections.
Do they really think Patsy Mink would find it OK to waste this much money?
Alison Kaleem
Waipahu
Voters should do what she would have wanted
I am disheartened by the response of the Democratic Party leadership, particularly Lorraine Akiba and Sen. Daniel Inouye, asking us to vote for Patsy to honor her with a lasting tribute.
As a lifelong Democrat, I feel that Patsy would not have wanted it done this way. She would have been appalled at the reasoning behind spending $4 million to elect someone who has already passed to another life. She would have fought to prevent this money, in an already cash-strapped state — her home state — from being spent so frivolously. She would have done the right thing and pulled out of the race when she knew that she would no longer be able to serve.
So, when these costly elections are being held, I ask the voters to do what they think Patsy would have done. I will vote for the candidate that is still on the ballot or leave my vote blank. That is what Patsy would have wanted.
James Gacutan
Kapa'a, Kaua'i
There are other ways to honor Patsy Mink
I can think of many ways to honor somebody who has served her country and state, despite her radical political views.
Wasting $4 million is a slap in the face of everyone in this state and sets a despicable example for the rest of the nation. It is also arrogant to assume that a special election will be in the best interests of our state.
Instead, here are some alternatives to honor Patsy Mink:
• Set up an educational/athletic scholarship for students who need assistance.
• Apply money to the state Department of Education.
• Buy books and materials for schoolchildren.
• Set up a drug rehab center.
All this can be done in her name for "honor" and at no cost to a taxpayer. How? Collect some money from those who wish to honor her, or more appropriately from the Democratic Party members themselves, especially Dan Inouye and Neil Abercrombie.
The talk coming out of their mouths sure sounds like the pigs from George Orwell's "Animal Farm," don't you think?
Douglas Bennett
Democratic leaders knew her condition
I smile at the controversy over the congressional seat of Patsy Mink. I truly believe that Democratic Party leaders were privy to Mink's condition prior to the time they say they were. John Mink is a smart and sharp man, and I don't believe he would try to fool the party. But it's politics.
I believe the Democratic Party is providing an alternate for Mazie Hirono in the event she loses in the governor's race. Face it, it appears she will run for any position the Democratic Party wishes, and she is the most logical person to win that congressional seat.
After all, she beat Ed Case in the primary from votes of the outer islands.
I also believe Republican Party leaders would do the same if they were in that position. Just the game of politics.
Glenn M. Bunnell
Inouye should pay for special election
I am appalled at the utter arrogance of Sen. Inouye stating that he felt that spending $2 million of taxpayer money was "worth it" for a special election due to the death of Patsy Mink. Now we are told that there may be two elections, costing $4 million.
Since this whole scenario is a shibai, orchestrated to have people vote for Mink and then assuring that another Democrat will be elected to replace her, I suggest that the good senator, or at least the Democratic Party, should foot the bill.
Bryan Geoffrey
