Letters to the Editor
Review of Cascada unfair to restaurant
I am truly disgusted by the Aug. 23 review of the restaurant Cascada that appeared in the TGIF section.
Apparently this was written to "kill" the restaurant's business. Of course, the poor evaluation is situated right next to its paid advertisement, which I'm sure did not come cheap. Many people who considered dining there will not do so as a result of this review.
I dined there about two weeks ago. The table linens were of the finest quality — crisp and precise. The flatware looked brand new, the service was very good, and my filet was served rare, as ordered, and "unmangled."
Surely while dining in restaurants of this caliber and even in lesser establishments, your critic is aware that if he is not satisfied with his meal, he can send it back.
If one wants to be a famous restaurant critic, write only the good news or nothing at all. Consider the damage you do to someone just starting out on his own. If the poor review is given after a year in business, then it may be deserved.
I do not know the chef personally or have any connection whatsoever to this restaurant, but to pan one of your own advertisers is unconscionable. I believe a public apology is in order.
Rolf Winkler
What are the results of new curriculum?
Jennifer Hiller's Aug. 15 story, "Curriculum encourages deep thinking," talked about the positive aspects of Maryknoll School's curriculum. Although by reading this article I saw many advantages — studying under good conditions and unique curriculum — I also had some suspicions.
Maryknoll School provides three classes a day, and combines similar subjects into one class. I wonder if this curriculum can really give adequate breadth for students. Can students learn all materials in classes that combine some subjects together?
This new curriculum is unique. It may provide positive results to improve students' achievements. However, I would like to know the statistics that show how students are changed because of the curriculum. For example, what are the students' scores on the SAT, ACT or AP tests? Those tests are not the only measure of students, but it is important to see the differences.
I hope this new curriculum affects society's curriculum.
Noriyo Tsujita
Integrity of center must be protected
I am strongly opposed to the passage of Bill 53. It is imperative that the integrity of the Queen's Trust and Children's Center be protected for generations to come. It is imperative we begin to insist on social justice before personal financial gain now. Enough is enough.
When is the state of Hawai'i going to stand up and take the lead in showing the rest of the country how to make choices that serve all its people in the long term? When will the true meaning of aloha be reflected in how we govern our most valuable resources for the future?
Ginger Vogler
Waimea, Big Island
Patsy Mink is getting more media coverage
I was pleased to read Val Loh's Aug. 25 letter ("True campaign reform is equal media access"). I fall into that category, when often the media cover my opponent in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, and ignore my matching breaking news.
Please announce my Web site in your newspaper as the groundbreaking news event in my campaign. This news, I believe, is even bigger than an opening ceremony for her headquarters.
Steve Tataii
Candidate for Congress (D), District 2
Tanabe showed other coaches how it's done
Hey, Hawai'i, Clyde Tanabe for governor!
Tanabe did a tremendous job as coach of the Hawai'i team in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. What a down-to-earth, local-type guy.
He taught all of us a great lesson in handling kids. No high pressure, no tension, no pointing fingers, no long pep talks, just go out and do it and have fun. What a great motivator.
Sure hope our other local coaches were tuned in and gained some tips.
Likewise, in the short time on the Mainland, he did more to promote Hawai'i than the Hawai'i Tourism Authority could ever imagine and at minimal cost.
Kudos to the players, coaches and parents for a job well done. All Hawai'i is mighty proud of your accomplishments.
Mel Rodenhurst
Kailua
We have to get used to airport frisking
This is in response to Tak Yoshihara, who sounded off on the way his 11-year-old grandson was frisked by airport security before he boarded his flight.
I have a 7-year-old daughter, and she went through this same scenario. Her bag was searched, even her slippers were scanned. What made it more intimidating was the fact this guy was husky and burly. Others who were waiting in line to board the plane stared at what was going on. We complied with their rules.
Mr. Yoshihara shouldn't feel as if he were singled out. It happens randomly to people of all race, color, age and gender. It's just something we have to get used to.
Rowena Lee
'Aiea
Kuhio Avenue trash in mornings appalling
Shortly after daylight on Saturday and Sunday mornings, I travel down Kuhio Avenue to Kapi'olani Park. I am absolutely appalled at the trash along the curbs, planters and sidewalks. Food containers, beverage cups, beer cans, whiskey bottles, and so forth, just left anywhere. Locals, military, homeless — all to blame.
You can see tourist couples out early, because of the time change or jet lag, to enjoy the beauty of our island. What do they see? Rubbish.
This irresponsibility is deplorable. We are an island of pigs that abuse the privilege of living in this would-be paradise.
Margaret M. Giles
Lingle, Aiona getting funds from individuals
I had read the July 31 article "Lingle's war chest far ahead of others," on campaign spending and donations. I read that Linda Lingle and Dalton Tanonaka had raised the most money.
At first this led me to believe that the people were supporting these two candidates, until I did my research. Unfortunately, the article did not tell the whole story.
While Lingle's money came solely from contributions, $100,000 of Dalton's $157,164 was from a personal loan (Web-link to: www.state.hi.us./campaign). Clayton Hee's contributions were predominantly from businesses rather than individuals. Duke Aiona's $69,544 included no loans and was mostly from individuals. It became obvious to me that Aiona was running a grassroots campaign powered by the people.
The lead in "true" campaign contributions shows that Lingle and Aiona are head and shoulders above the rest.
Dr. James Choy
'Aiea
Military responded to model community
Our local radio-controlled modeling community consists of a small group of people interested in various aspects of model airplanes.
Since we are a relatively small group, we don't wield much political power. As such, we seem to be an afterthought to most politicians, as is evident by the lack of decent facilities from which to fly. The prevailing thought among our local politicians appears to be that we're a bunch of kids who have not outgrown toy airplanes.
The military, on the other hand, has been outstanding in supporting us. Even with its greater mission of protecting the country, it made time for those of us who are not golfers or soccer players. It understands that activities such as ours provide the country with the future scientists, engineers and other technically oriented professionals.
We would especially like to thank Air Force Brig. Gen. Raymond Johns and Navy Capt. Fred Gay for their efforts in securing excellent facilities from which to fly. Both gentlemen have since transferred to Washington, D.C., and they will be missed.
Aloha and mahalo to both and also to the numerous other military personnel who have recognized and responded to our needs.
Rodney Sato
Mililani
The trust of working Americans
For many in Hawai'i, Labor Day means getting ready for picnics at the beach or just relaxing at home — but we should also take time to reflect on its significance for today's working families.
A national survey of American workers offers a snapshot of those concerns: Americans who draw a paycheck continue to be optimistic about jobs and the future of our families, yet we're increasingly troubled about the influence powerful corporations have in our workplaces, our government and our local economy.
According to a Peter Hart Research survey, commissioned by the 13 million-member AFL-CIO, employees of all races and backgrounds don't really trust corporations — or the Bush administration in Washington, D.C. — to safeguard the rights we hold dear, such as protections against discrimination, workplace safety, equal pay for women or privacy on the job.
The survey shows that 63 percent of workers have little or no trust that corporations will treat employees fairly. And 67 percent of workers have little or no trust in the White House to stand up for rights we value.
As more working people try to improve conditions at job sites, employers are responding with more hostility, pressure tactics and propaganda to dissuade employees. According to Cornell University, a third of employers fire workers who try to form unions. And a staggering 91 percent hold mandatory, high-pressure anti-union meetings.
Communities are fighting back. Civic leaders, clergy and civil rights advocates are telling employers to respect the basic freedom of everyone in America to make their own choice about whether to join a union, without fear of reprisal or intimidation.
Communities are also fighting back to support workers who are victims of corporate takeovers. Last year, hundreds of people rallied in support of 274 workers terminated by the new owners of the former Hawaiian Waikiki Beach. Aston Hotels and Resorts rehired less than 10 percent of the original workforce, throwing out many workers who had over 20 years of loyal service. These employees are still being denied millions of dollars of earned vacation benefits and severance pay contractually owed them.
The recent strike vote taken by Local 5 in which workers voted overwhelmingly to walk out if necessary is another indication that workers want more of a say on the job.
Just as we want a voice where we work, we want our voice to be heard in government. Workers and our unions are helping expose the cruelty of eliminating landmark protections to prevent hundreds of thousands of repetitive stress injuries in workplaces. And working families are demanding state prescription drug legislation and they are speaking out to protect Social Security and Medicare.
The Peter Hart survey is in some ways not so surprising.
As American workers see the Bush White House pushing a corporate agenda by attacking worker safety protections, trust in the administration to safeguard workplace rights decreases. And as employers nonchalantly lay off thousands of employees or fight employee efforts to join unions and protect workplace safety, working families grow to trust corporations less.
It will be up to us — working families, our unions and progressive allies — to see that the changes called for on this Labor Day result in government and employers more deserving of the trust of working Americans.
Labor Day is a fitting time to remember that employees want to do the best job they can to help their employer succeed — that's what American workers have done for centuries. But a fundamental value in our nation is that employees expect basic respect in the workplace. Without it, employees will not trust employers. We don't need an opinion poll to confirm that — just ask the workers at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel.
Harold Dias Jr.
President, Hawai'i State AFL-CIO
