Letters to the Editor
Low voter turnout a disgrace to Hawai'i
Once again, the primary "winner" in Hawai'i is some combination of apathy, lack of personal responsibility, lame excuses and an outright lack of gratitude.
Why add the latter? Because to allow any rationalization to contribute to "the lowest (turnout) in a Hawai'i gubernatorial primary in more than 25 years" is a grievous act of disrespect and ingratitude for the many Americans who gave their lives so we could have the freedom to choose to either go to the beach on a sunny Saturday — or whatever — or go to the polls to vote.
The "low turnout in (the) primary spells (more than) bad news for Lingle." It spells bad news for the people of Hawai'i. If we continue to do nothing but complain about how bad the status quo has become, then we deserve what we will get for the next four years: nothing.
Irv Rubin
Truth about Hirono isn't negative campaigning
I heard poor Mazie Hirono whining about Linda Lingle's negative advertising campaign. Turns out Linda detailed Mazie's do-nothing career for the last eight years and her support for many issues subsequently rejected roundly by the public.
The truth isn't negative campaigning. Even Ben Cayetano has criticized Hirono for lack of specifics in her campaign, which just spews platitudes for the government unions she counts on.
If she can't take the heat, maybe she should just quit ... again.
Bruce Howe
Mililani
Hirono's position on debate unacceptable
I find it baffling when people complain that Linda Lingle did not debate the three Democrats who were running against each other in the primary.
A major purpose of the events leading to the primary was for folks to discern the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates in their own respective party in determining who would be the most qualified candidate to represent the party. Now that the primary is over, it is imperative for the candidate of each party to debate one another.
For Mazie Hirono to take a pass for the forum sponsored by the Tax Foundation using the excuse that she "already appeared at a Tax Foundation forum in which Lingle declined to participate before the primary" is inexcusable.
What rankles me most is Hirono's assertion that only she would be able to deliver as governor because "any kind of program that the next governor is going to push is going to require not only the cooperation but really working with the Legislature. ... I have a relationship with many of them. I don't see how a Republican governor can work with a Democratic Legislature to bring about the kind of positive changes that we want." What?
When I vote for someone to represent me in the Legislature, I expect that person to conscientiously represent me based on what is best for Hawai'i, not what is best for the party.
I am sick of this attitude of partisanship playing a more important role than what is best for Hawai'i. I hope Linda Lingle wins in November because I believe she is fully capable of working positively with the Legislature in bringing the change we need.
Donna Rewick
Kane'ohe
Liberty includes freedom to choose
I'm appalled by the change in the oath of office for the HPD. The oath benchmarks success and is supposed to give you "chicken skin" when heard.
The removal of powerful words like "impartially" and "any and all other duties devolving upon me in connection with such office, so help me God" makes it impersonal, impotent and sterile. The state holds officers to a higher standard and expects more than "to the best of my ability." Daily, they put their lives on the line to protect and serve with aloha.
Removing "so help me God" and the alternate, "so do I affirm," eliminates choice.
Having no choice is communistic, not democratic. Brave men and women have lost their lives for our freedom — the same freedom Mitch Kahle wants to take away. The Declaration of Independence makes reference to "Nature's God" and the fact that we are endowed by our "Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
The U.S. Constitution states that we must "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." Liberty includes freedom to choose.
This is the plumb line.
Ramona Loo
Waipahu
When tragedy strikes, we will look to God
It is amazing to me that just over one year ago, our country unabashedly cried out to God for comfort and help. Our country cried out to God to comfort the families of police officers and firefighters killed by terrorists.
Now, Mitch Kahle and his organization have pushed the Honolulu Police Department to withdraw "God" from its oath. However, it does not matter what decisions in this country are made about the use of the word "God"; when tragedy strikes, as we know now it can, God's name will be used by police officers, firefighters, elected officials, newscasters and millions of citizens.
When tragedy strikes, reality emerges, and the so-called "separation of church and state" is insignificant.
Stephanie Darrow
Take responsibility; don't close our parks
What in the world is Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario thinking? Does he want the state to close every state-run beach, hiking trail or park? Soon the state will be forced to close many of our natural wonders due to fears of liability.
I feel extremely bad for the people who lost family and friends in that tragic accident, but that's what it was — an accident.
Has the judge been out to Sacred Falls? Even before the accident there were multiple warning signs, and any rational adult knows that swimming in a pond under a rock-laden waterfall is potentially dangerous. At what point do we take responsibility for our own actions?
In the U.S.A., we're given the freedom of choice, and with this freedom we carry a heavy responsibility.
Casey Kamikawa
Mililani
Something went wrong in thief's head, heart
My red and black Specialized bike was stolen from the UH campus on Sept. 25. Whoever stole it, I feel sorry for you. Something went wrong in your head for you to make such a bad choice and something went wrong in your heart for you to ignore the feelings of others.
I hope one day you will listen to the voices of reason and make choices that won't hurt your conscience and make you sick of yourself in the future.
If you still have anything good left in your heart, you can return the bike to campus security, no questions asked. I barely have enough financial aid to make it through the semester and cannot afford another bike to get to school.
Robin L. Wood
Warning system for gridlock isn't needed
I read with much amusement the Sept. 20 letter from Cris Visoria on a system to inform freeway motorists with a sign that indicates gridlock ahead. While this may sound like a good idea in theory, in reality it is not needed.
These Leeward gridlocks occur on weekdays at the same time in the morning and the same time in the afternoon. Why inform us about something we already know exists?
Some of the ways to alleviate the commuting stress is to avoid entering the freeway during the gridlock, as Visoria suggested, by shopping and the like until traffic flow subsides. Other ways are to leave home early or use carpooling or the bus.
Michael Nomura
Kailua
Bush should ask Israelis, Arabs to talk
The U.S.A. was having serious problems with China. The great President Richard M. Nixon went to China and requested the problems be solved without conflict. Since then, the U.S.A. has good relations with China.
President George Bush should go to the Jewish and Arabic people, call them together and request they solve their problems without conflict.
Harry M. Lofton
Cayetano's position on Israel commendable
Robert Rees' Sept. 23 commentary on Israel's massive effort to gain "unequivocal support for the state of Israel" by all of America's governors illustrates one more example of Gov. Cayetano taking an unpopular stand based on principle.
The governor refused to sign a proclamation that gave blind support to Israel without any consideration of the desperate plight of the Palestinian people.
I can only hope that our next governor will make her decisions based on what is fair to all concerned rather than what may be "politically correct."
Rob Hail
Aloha is still alive at Kaiser Permanente
I had total hip replacement surgery on Aug. 30 at the Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center. I went in with a lot of concerns and worries; however, weeks of preoperative preparations eased my concerns somewhat because I found the staff at the labs and the radiology department to be extremely friendly, patient and understanding.
My orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Frauens, met with me on numerous occasions to go over the details of the operation and postoperative precautions.
After surgery, I spent five days at the hospital. The nursing staff was not only very professional and caring, but many nurses and nurse assistants went out of their way to alleviate my back pain and other discomforts. They were compassionate and generous with their time and attention. Many of these professionals have children, a husband and a mortgage to pay. Several still go to evening class to further their careers. I am so impressed that they could still practice so much aloha when actually they themselves have a burden to carry.
The occupational and physical therapy department staff taught me gently but firmly to be independent on my crutches when I would get home.
My heart is full of appreciation and gratitude to all, especially to Dr. Frauens. Bless his skills and bless his hands.
Aloha is still alive at Kaiser Permanente.
Linde Keil
Some kids will get left behind
If you're not familiar with President Bush's recent No Child Left Behind Act, I encourage you to read all about it at the Department of Education's Web site. If you choose not to do that, I can sum it up for you:
The act is an effort to ensure your child receives a good education. That may mean he will need to transfer to a different school (the DOE supplies the transportation), or it may mean his current school will have to provide supplemental educational services, at no cost to you, of course. There are just a few requirements your child and his school must meet.
First, your child's school needs to have been identified as a "correction action" school. That means the federal government has decided that your child's school does not provide children with a good education.
Second, your child's English and math report card grades must be among the lowest in the school.
Third, your child must receive either free or reduced lunch.
I just happen to be a teacher in a "corrective action" school complex, and my child just happens to attend a "corrective action" school.
My wife and I work full-time, and together we make too much money for our child to receive the benefits of free or reduced lunch. Unfortunately, we also make far too little money to send our child to a private school.
The act is a noble cause, but I fear it sends a very dangerous message to our children, very different from the one I received. When I was a child, I was told that if I worked hard, the rewards would come. I was told that if I did little, I would receive little. It appears we are sending a message that conveys just the opposite of those pearls of wisdom.
Don't let the name fool you. There are children being left behind. They are the children of parents who worked hard in school themselves and are now paying taxes. They are the children of parents who have tried to instill the benefit of hard work and determination. They are the children who study hard and make good grades even though fate has placed them in a less-than-perfect school.
These are the children being left behind.
Kriss Conley
Wai'anae
