Posted on: Sunday, June 8, 2003
Letters to the Editor
HI Tech column distorted association's positions
The Hawaii Technology Trade Association was grossly misrepresented in a June 3 column by John Duchemin ("Two high-tech lobby groups lining up against Lingle over Act 221").
The quote attributed to HTTA's chairman, Kent Tsukamoto, was distorted and misused. Once the error was reported, HTTA received an apology from the writer, the article was revised and a correction was printed the following day.
HTTA accepts the apology, but does not feel the damage has been mitigated. Your readers should know that:
• The quote from Tsukamoto was mischaracterized as a threat to the governor. It was not. The quote came from an HTTA e-mail directed to our own members and industry colleagues.
• The e-mail to HTTA members asked Hawai'i's tech industry to cooperate with the Tax Department and "offer a hand" to the governor, as the corrected version of the article now correctly states. However, once corrected, the article no longer makes any sense. The corrected quote now goes directly against the headline and content of the article. HTTA's only reference in the article now states that we are asking our members to work with the administration — not line up against the governor.
• The quotes attributed to Bill Spencer from the Hawaii Venture Capital Association were also misrepresented. The quotes were taken from a hypothetical scenario envisioning what Forbes would say.
• We have already made it very clear to the writer that since the end of the legislative session, we have been working quietly and diligently with all stakeholders in a series of meetings to think beyond Act 221 and seek ideas for overall economic diversification for the state. We are trying to do this in a thoughtful, respectful manner and look forward to a collaborative effort with the administration and the Legislature. We clearly are not inflexible and are willing to listen to all viewpoints and to compromise when it is appropriate.
When the HI Tech column first came out, we applauded your recognition of the importance of the tech industry for Hawai'i's future. However, our hopes soon turned to dismay and disbelief as each week, our local technology industry was questioned in one way or another. What was an opportunity to do something good and support a growing industry quickly turned into a column about "what's wrong with Hawai'i's tech industry."
Why can't this column be about "what's right with Hawai'i's tech industry"?
Ann Chung
Fencing out homeless won't solve problem
The Advertiser reported Tuesday that the state is in the process of installing fencing and razor wire under freeway bridges to keep out the two dozen homeless individuals who take shelter there.
The article did a commendable job in reporting that the state's action makes no provisions for the people who will be displaced by this project. However, the article stops short of pointing out the inherent flaw in this project: Fencing and razor wire will not keep the homeless out of these areas when there is absolutely no place else to go.
The DOT's Scott Naleimaile seems to recognize this in his quotes throughout the article, but simply caring about the individuals who are affected by the state's misguided project is not enough. Well-planned, realistic policies that address the underlying problems of homelessness, instead of cosmetic projects, must be designed and implemented. Wire cutters make quick work of chainlink fences, and it's easy to sneak into cordoned-off areas at night.
Even if the current residents are kept out, O'ahu's lack of shelter space and, more importantly, lack of permanent housing and supportive services mean that those same people will likely now be sleeping right next to the freeway instead of underneath it.
As long as a critical lack of affordable, permanent housing and supportive services exists on O'ahu, issues of homelessness will continue to affect all of our lives — those of us who are housed as well as those of us who are not.
Jerry Ford
Tony Ching's family thankful for all the help
When the vehicle collided with Tony Ching's moped, Tony remembered being hurled about 25 to 30 feet over the car that hit him and slamming into the pavement. While lying there, he saw his great-grandma Martin, who passed away a few years ago, and she told him, "Get up, Tony," and he did.
With two broken legs, a punctured lung and a serious head injury, one wonders how he stood up and walked several feet to the curb. It was not Tony's time.
On behalf of the Ching and Carvalho family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all of you who sent cards, flowers, balloons, food, monetary gifts and, most importantly, your prayers to Tony.
We also want to thank the lady who assisted and comforted Tony at the accident scene, all of the emergency medical staff, doctors, nurses and administrators at the Queen's hospital and the rehab center. Your teamwork and professionalism helped save our grandson's life.
And we want to thank the Balles family of Nu'uanu for the beautiful puppy they gave Tony.
The true spirit of aloha by everyone has helped Tony and our 'ohana through this crisis. God bless and mahalo nui loa to all of you.
Kenneth Ching
Bipartisan cooperation is far more effective
After nearly three weeks of vacation and browsing through seemingly endless news articles, two particularly encouraging political items caught my attention.
With all the bad-mouth, political finger-pointing by so-called leaders of our state Democratic and Republican parties, it was nice to see former Gov. Cayetano and present Gov. Lingle hug and make long-overdue amends.
The other was an intelligently thought-out article written by Waikiki Sen. Gordon Trimble that pointed to specific ideas and didn't direct any barbed arrows at political opponents.
It would be nice if all local and national politicians would take heed and remember that bipartisan cooperation and communication work for the good of the people and are much-preferred alternatives to partisan politics, which benefit no one.
Stephen N. Bischoff
Police were first-rate in returning valuables
I would like to thank the Honolulu Police Department for its outstanding service.
During a May vacation to O'ahu, my wife and I had the misfortune of losing valuable personal items on Waikiki Beach. Luckily, someone found our items and turned them in to the police. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and efficiency of the police personnel involved in our incident.
I would also like to thank the honest person who found our items and turned them in to the authorities. Your integrity is appreciated, and your actions have restored my faith in mankind.
Lance Fujita
Executive director, Hawaii Technology Trade Association
Chair, Partners In Care
Grandfather of Tony Ching
Burke, VA.
