Letters to the Editor
With tears, we honor brave pioneers of space
Seven astronauts were lost Saturday. We cry, but they are not the desperate tears of a heart wrenched with loss (save the hearts of those families now left behind). We cry tears that are a soul-filling deluge of all we call humanity, and all that we revere in ourselves.
This is a rare sadness, reserved for men and women who have become heroes in the moment of their deaths.
From time immemorial, this tribute has been the last reward for brave patriots who willingly give up their lives in the face of battle. And now, at the dawning of a new age, we cry in honorific grief for men and women who willingly took the risk of ushering our planet's people into the last great frontier.
The vast and mysterious expanse of space calls to us as a species. When we look to the stars, we seem to hear them whispering to us that we have crawled, we have walked, and now, we must fly up to meet them.
The seven who died Saturday, those who have died in the past, and the inevitable others who will give their lives in the future — we grieve for the loss of such heroes. But recognize that as we cry, we also cry in awe of what the human spirit is willing to achieve. We cry in sheer awe of people who live lives so fully and so gloriously that they can take on the task of forging the future for us all. We cry out in awe that these were people who, in the moments before their deaths, looked to it, and did not regret having accepted the challenge.
This is the culmination of our humanity that deserves our awe and generates our inspiration to achieve. With our tears, we honor our brave, lost pioneers of space.
Colleen Flori
Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Kane'ohe
Space station could be set up to help shuttle
I was greatly saddened by Saturday's shuttle tragedy. What a terrible loss. In reading the comments from space flight experts, I found it more tragic that there was nothing that could have been done to help the astronauts.
I was wondering, however, that since something hit the left wing during takeoff, could the NASA ground crew have directed the shuttle crew to dock at the International Space Station to check out the damage?
The space station is up there already, and it seems as if it would not be difficult to get the shuttle there. If the shuttle docked at the space station, could the astronauts then wait either in their shuttle or at the station until another shuttle could be sent to retrieve them?
It seems the International Space Station could be available to help in these events. It could even be manned with trained personnel to check out safety concerns.
The shuttle program needs to go on, and we just need to make sure that we use all means possible to keep our astronauts safe.
Charlotte Szarmes
Tragedy reminds us we must seek peace
Saturday's tragedy reminds us that we need to look out from this planet and into the skies to receive the enlightened view to guide our lives on Earth. We are indeed fragile creatures.
When we forget our insignificance and vulnerability in this vast galaxy, we forget our limitations.
Here on this planet, we have only a limited number of natural resources. We have an enormous capacity to increase our numbers as well as weapons of mass destruction to kill ourselves and all living things. We, the human race, must work together in the global struggle for survival. In this way, a peaceful solution should be top priority in the Iraq-U.S. situation.
The Earth-bound idea that we should attack with massive artillery (3,000 missiles in the first two days) ignores that fact. Iraq is a nation of 23 million — "they cannot all be little Saddam Husseins." Innocent people will die, environmental devastation will be total if the U.S. attacks. That is an unacceptable "solution."
If the U.S. supports the killing of innocent people, then we too will be seen as terrorists.
Chris Searles
Quarantine is purely a political issue
I have been a physician in the practice of family medicine for more than 30 years, most of it in Alaska, which has many of the same medical concerns as the state of Hawai'i. However, despite our huge border with Canada open to animals of all kinds, we have no "rabies epidemics." In fact I have never even seen a case of rabies.
It is an easily preventable disease in an urban setting even when it is endemic in wild animal populations. There are modern, easily used methods to eclipse the quaint, outmoded method of quarantine. No new science here. Tried and tested around the world.
Hawai'i would be much better served to take the advice of modern medical means and trash the quarantine. It would be amazingly good for the state economy to allow people to bring their rabies-free pets to the Islands and can be easily monitored by the very same people who now run the quarantine station.
It is a political issue. In fact, it is only a political issue. The rabies quarantine exists only because of politics. It could be easily replaced with a far superior system if only scientific method rather than politics ruled the day.
R. Matison White, M.D.
Hawai'i Kai and Anchorage, Alaska
Dangerous roads in Kalihi must be fixed
More effort and money should be put into fixing the roads in Kalihi. Dillingham Boulevard, from Waikamilo Road to Liliha Street, is a prime example.
For as long as I can remember, this road has always been a bumpy ride. First of all, the lines have disappeared over the years, making it hard to judge who should be in which lane. I've seen many near accidents in this area because motorists don't realize it is actually two lanes.
In addition, many of the roads in Kalihi are unevenly paved and filled with potholes. As much as I try to avoid these places while driving, I can't because the majority of areas are in this condition. The state is really good at starting things and not finishing them in Kalihi. That explains why our roads are made up of metal plates.
Something needs to be done about these streets to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
Darryln Sasano
Girl Scouts celebrate life of Gladys Brandt
On behalf on the Girl Scouts Council of Hawaii, we want to express our aloha for Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt. While we were sad to learn of her passing, we celebrate the life of this remarkable woman.
Like so many organizations across the state, we were the beneficiaries of her generous spirit. Through the many years, she found countless ways to support our efforts so thousands of girls could be inspired "with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service so they may become happy and resourceful citizens." It is a mission she well understood.
Consequently, her influence was felt beyond the shores of her beloved Hawai'i. In fact, in March 2002, our national organization, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., recognized her as one of 10 "National Women of Distinction" at its 90th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C.
Here at home, we noted this honor at our own "Women of Distinction" dinner this past November by naming a special membership initiative as "The Gladys Brandt Strengthening Our Communities Through Girl Scouts." We were honored by her presence.
She truly will be missed. She lived her life exemplifying the values stated in our Girl Scout Law: to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, responsible for what we say and do, to have respect for oneself and others, respect authority, to use resources wisely, and make the world a better place.
Aloha kakou a hui hou aku, Auntie Gladys.
Margery Ziffrin
President
Gail Mukaihata Hammermann
Executive director
Girl Scout Council of Hawaii
Keep ERS system for its members only
For many years the state and counties' retirement systems have gone downhill for the retirees. Hopefully, with the new governor, things in the ERS and Hawai'i will improve.
Instead of stealing from the ERS, it should be made clear that the system is for ERS members.
Elected officials have previously considered the ERS money available for their taking. The membership has had no say in their retirement. Elected officials have recently tampered with our health benefits, cut out our bonuses, etc. Is there no shame?
With a new governor and lawsuits pending, some of these wrongs will be made right.
If the state and counties really need to use ERS money, it should be treated as a loan, with payback and monthly interest.
Floyd Burns
Lieutenant, HPD (Ret.)
City, state should bring back van cams
The city of Honolulu and the state of Hawai'i should bring the van cams back.
I'm a taxpayer and I was grateful that such a program, which was launched in December 2001, had excellent goals: to use vast technology to slow traffic, lessen accidents, save lives and relieve police officers for other duties.
By February, feuding started about the program. Citations and car insurance rates were soaring like crazy. But most of the time there were no police officers on the scene to catch speeders.
I was disappointed when the courts, Legislature and former Gov. Cayetano pulled the plug on the program.
The city and the state must reconsider bringing back the van cams.
Ronald Edward Arreola
Waipahu
Express bus service has too many stops
With all this talk about bus rapid transit, I don't think the city should forget about the existing 24/7 limited-stop express service, Routes A, B and C. They have been extremely successful — especially Route C from Ala Moana to Makaha.
However, they seem to have lost their purpose somewhat by having a bit too many stops in some areas on Route C. A few areas on the coast have four stops next to each other that are within walking distance.
The purpose of an express service is to provide a quick commute, hence the name. Stops should be at heavily used bus stops and spaced out from one another whenever possible.
Some riders may have to walk a little to reach the stop, but a quick commute comes with a sacrifice. If they want convenience, that's what the local routes are for.
Allen Carter
Wai'anae Coast
Public unions should OK salary givebacks
Look at the two headlines in the Jan. 24 Advertiser: "Mayor calls for tax hike" and "Hawaiian Airlines asks for givebacks." What's wrong here?
The mayor obviously does not read the paper. When your expenses exceed your income, you cut back on your expenses. (Unless you can put your hands in other people's pockets).
It is time for the mayor, the City Council chairman and some state leaders to face the facts. Squarely. Our personnel expenses have gone way out of hand. No, layoffs are not the answer. They create too much human hardship.
But how about some salary givebacks. Aloha Airlines, United Airlines and others have done it to simply stay alive. Their employees wisely prefer a smaller paycheck to no paycheck. And if that is too tough for a politician to face, get to the sacred cow: the benefits.
Although during the July 2001 negotiations much more realistic benefits for new hires were achieved (say, 15 vacation days, 12 sick days and 12 holidays, although that varies from bargaining unit to bargaining unit), there are still many unrealistic benefits in existence (21 vacation days, 21 sick days and 12 holidays). And what seems worse, unused sick leave can be accumulated and, under some formula, can be credited for retirement benefits as years of service.
Gerhard C. Hamm
HPD, HFD came to the rescue
On Jan. 1, I was on vacation with my family on the North Shore of O'ahu. Two members of my family and their friends were hiking that day, lost their way and were stranded on the side of a mountain.
Several officers from the HPD responded and requested the HFD mountain rescue team. The HFD rescue team we met that night was second to none. They responded with trucks and a helicopter and demonstrated great courage.
Through their teamwork and bravery, they were able to airlift my family from the cliffs to safety. The officers of both of these departments clearly demonstrated that they are well-trained and able to apply that training under very difficult circumstances.
I am a police sergeant in New Jersey and am called into similar situations. To watch my family as the victims was a new perspective for me. I know that everyone needs to be rescued sooner or later in life. This experience has given me a new outlook on each victim I meet.
Thank you to my brothers at the HPD and HFD, and may God have his angels watch over you.
Russell Chew
Cape May, N.J.
