Letters to the Editor
Light-rail system offers several advantages
A light-rail system is a great idea for several reasons. It is an industry in itself, employing individuals in high tech and building maintenance, electricians, administrators, carpenters, security guards, janitors and service personnel, and office help.
It is not dependent on tourists for its customers but local commuters who are tired of driving through traffic snarls every morning and afternoon. A light-rail system does not discriminate like double-decker freeways that are only for drivers. A rail system accommodates the elderly, disabled, children and those who cannot afford to purchase and maintain expensive automobiles.
A light-rail system also cuts down on DUI arrests. Individuals may catch the train to and from events instead of driving in an unsafe manner.
I am a local who has lived in the San Francisco area and caught the train every day instead of driving my own car. It was twice as fast as driving, I had no parking fees, there was less wear and tear on my car and I arrived at my destination relaxed.
Finally, it does not compete with buses. Train and bus stations are located together, so after disembarking from a train, passengers hop on buses to take them to the short local destinations. It works in the Bay Area; it can work here.
Scott Sato
Wahiawa
Drug-testing program will make matters worse
Of all the fuzzy-headed proposals to come from our state legislators — and there have been plenty — none is fuzzier than Senate President Robert Bunda's proposal to start drug-testing Hawai'i's students.
While adolescent drug use is to be discouraged by all reasonable means, random drug testing is not one of them.
Random drug testing does not discourage use, and may encourage use of more dangerous drugs that cannot be readily detected by drug tests, e.g. alcohol.
It also creates an environment of distrust between students and adults, thereby erecting a barrier to those who might wish to seek help concerning drug use from a trusted adult. Through random drug testing, we are telling students that we assume you are guilty until proven otherwise, which goes against all principles of ethics, trust and democratic values. On the contrary, it smacks of the ever-growing presence of a police state.
I would suggest that a better approach would be to offer honest, fact-based drug education to students, which is not currently found in our public schools, and to provide assistance to those kids who are obviously in trouble with substance abuse. They are not hard to spot.
Donald M. Topping
President, Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i
President is playing his cards correctly
There is only one reasonable answer for the disparity of rhetoric between our president and a large percentage of the world with regard to invading Iraq: Bush knows exactly where Iraq's weapons of mass destruction are, and the others are acting out of ignorance.
I'm confident that our government has satellite photos of where the weapons are hidden. So, why doesn't Bush divulge that information to the U.N. inspectors? Simple: It would be playing directly into Saddam's hands. Right now, Saddam's weapons of mass destruction are buried away from the U.N. inspectors. Key word here is "buried" because "buried" weapons can't be easily deployed.
Rest assured, once our military is in place, Bush will provide the damning evidence to the U.N. — the "smoking gun" — Saddam will be found in "material breach" and the war will start immediately, before Saddam has a chance to dig up and deploy those buried weapons of mass destruction. With only conventional weapons at his disposal, it will be a very short war.
Bush is taking a lot of heat right now, from all over the globe. I'm proud that he is not giving in to that criticism. He needs your trust and support, too.
Ross M. Rolirad
Legislature should get rid of quarantine
Our current quarantine system to prevent the introduction of rabies into Hawai'i is a relic of outdated science. It is burdensome on pet owners and harmful to pets.
We must join the rest of the modern world and use the science of the 21st century. Vaccination, not incarceration, of our pets will ensure that they are free of rabies. With modern technology and computer chips, we can be assured that pets with proper vaccinations and paperwork from veterinarians are safe for entry into Hawai'i.
Our present system even prevents Hawai'i's pet owners from traveling out of state with their pets because of fear that they would have to quarantine them upon return.
The Legislature should pass legislation this session to address this problem. It is time we extend aloha to pet owners and their pets.
Rep. David A. Pendleton
R-49th Dist. (Kane'ohe, Maunawili, Enchanted Lake)
Why should HEI raise rates over pension loss?
Regarding the Jan. 22 story, "HEI may hike rates to pay for pension funds": So. Here we are again: consumers paying for something we do not own or have no interest in.
HEI has realized a loss in its pension fund. Haven't we all? My 401K plan (a very good, solid one) lost over $8,000 for me this last year. So, to whom do I go to recoup my losses over these times? Certainly not you, the consumer. I'm left to suffer with it.
But HEI, with much more in financial resources (American Savings Bank, etc.) than I, expects the luxury of increasing rates to the consumer (its "captive audience" — you and me) to cover its pension challenge, thus avoiding a loss in its pocket. To whom do you and I go to cover our pension, 401K or retirement losses? Certainly not HEI.
I truly question this tactic.
Tim Moline
Gladys Brandt led fight against cancer
The family of Gladys Brandt has honored a special part of her extraordinary life by designating memorial gifts to Hawai'i's American Cancer Society.
Gladys gave considerable time to health causes over her many years, with no cause more dear to her than the defeat of cancer. She spoke openly and often of the toll taken by cancer on her family and friends. And she was keenly aware that, as a group, Native Hawaiians suffer the highest death rate from this devastating disease.
As chair of the UH Board of Regents, Gladys' dogged commitment was to build the Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i to become one of the nation's top-tier cancer centers. Her commitment was a key factor in my decision to become its director in 1988, a position I held until 1999, during which time the center acquired prestigious National Cancer Institute designation.
Gladys' continued involvement with the center over the years and her active role as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for an even longer period are important factors in the continued contributions of both organizations to the community.
The Brandt family, aware of the American Cancer Society's intent to assist the Cancer Research Center in widening the availability of state-of-the-art cancer treatment for all people of Hawai'i, has thoughtfully chosen the society as a focal point in this effort. Their gesture is a reflection of Gladys herself in their thoughtfulness, graciousness and vision.
Brian Issell, M.D.
President, Hawai'i's American Cancer Society
