Posted on: Thursday, June 19, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Lingle should not veto bills on contraception

I want to urge Gov. Linda Lingle to not veto the bills regarding emergency contraception.

First, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled twice now granting abortion rights. Roe v. Wade, 1973, and Stenberg v. Carhart, 1999, are the two cases. I think 80 percent of the women would want abortions if they became pregnant as a result of rape. The religious ultra-rightists are probably lobbying for their anti-abortion agenda, but they are in the minority. I think it is sad that our government has to listen to these extremists, rather than be a truly representative government.

Second, I think President Bush and his Republican rubber-stamp Congress are doing the country, the pregnant women and the medical profession a disservice by trying to legislate the so-called partial-birth abortion bill. What are the pregnant women and doctors going to do if the brain is growing outside the skull, as documented on "60 Minutes"?

Are these people with poor comprehension going to tell women who become pregnant as a result of rape that they have to carry the fetus to term? Rise up, women, and tell Bush and his cronies that they are wrong on this issue.

Community sign costs cannot be justified

I was dismayed to learn how much the city is spending on community sign projects.

The city can hardly keep our satellite city halls open, and it is making the bus more expensive to ride. It eliminates services, and it is unwilling to implement even a basic household recycling program. Yet it is willing to spend over $2 million for community signs.

How can it feel comfortable slashing the budget, raising property taxes to generate revenue and then spending that revenue on signs? With hungry people in our city and communities, how we can spend so much money on fluff?

I realize that many people think a sign will help contribute to a "sense of community," and most likely, if such a sense is already present, it will. However, in my opinion, real community cannot be bought with a sign.

Community is created through true caring for one another and by working together on various projects and issues. A strong community (like that found on Moloka'i) is one so present in everyday life that it is almost a tangible thing.

Papakolea built its own sign — with community volunteers. It is simple and attractive, and only cost $500. If all other planned community signs were also done in this manner, at $1,000 each, the total cost would be under $100,000. We could then take the $1.9 million remainder and help feed people, or help keep our satellite city halls open every day.

It's simply a matter of asking ourselves what the true needs are of our communities. Signs are a luxury, not a necessity. And spending public money on luxuries before taking care of true public needs clearly shows that our values and priorities are out of line.

At least the van cams kept speeding down

I beg to differ on the June 13 article "Traffic deaths climb 28.6%." Honolulu investigators shouldn't be alarmed that 93 percent of fatalities this year are speed-related.

If you drive on O'ahu roadways at any hour and maintain the legal speed limit, you will note that 99 percent of cars will pass you on the fly, so the 93 percent of fatalities involved in excessive speed is not alarming.

The state was pressured into killing the van cam program, which could have made a tremendous difference in the driving habits of Hawai'i residents. The rumble strips on Pali Highway are supposed to remind drivers that the speed limit is 35 mph, but most cars speed up as soon as they pass the strips. Drivers did tend to slow down and keep within the speed limits when the van cams were in effect.

We can save so many lives if we just slowed down on the roads — so please kokua, drive sanely. The life you save may be your own or someone very dear to you.

Police won't bother with noise complaints

I concur with Paul Malone (Letters, June 14) that the police would do nothing to enforce a possible ban on motorized scooters, at least on the basis of noise.

I complained to the police in mid-December about dozens of unmuffled motorcycles terrorizing the Diamond Head area. I was told that not only would the police not issue tickets, they were actually guarding the offenders because the motorcyclists had a permit. The dispatcher even had the nerve to claim it was for a good cause. She was unable to explain how dozens of roaring motorcycles were of benefit to Toys for Tots.

When I complained to the city, I was told that the city cannot refuse to grant a permit, even though it knows that the majority of the participants will be breaking the law. Perhaps our legislators could explain why the laws are written to require the city to assist lawbreakers in creating a public disturbance.

Perhaps the chief of police could publicly state what the department needs to enforce the law. I would be happy to contribute to obtain whatever equipment and training are needed to rid the streets of illegally loud vehicles.

Coach Taylor should have received honor

During the three years that Mike Taylor has been a member of its coaching staff, the Punahou girls' basketball team has won 75 games and lost only five. In Taylor's two years as head coach, the Buffanblu have won 53 games and lost three. During the 2003 season, Taylor coached his team to an undefeated 26-0 season and captured the Division I state championship. This year's team coached by Taylor is only the fifth team to win the Hawai'i state championship while going through the season undefeated.

Now, with a record like that, wouldn't almost all true basketball fans in Hawai'i expect Mike Taylor to be named the 2003 Hawai'i State Girls' High School Basketball Coach of the Year? As you are aware, that is not the way it turned out. For some reason, known only to them, the voters for both The Honolulu Advertiser and the Star-Bulletin all-state teams didn't see it that way.

For the record, I believe that Mike Taylor's coaching record during the 2003 basketball season should have been enough to warrant naming him the 2003 Hawai'i State Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year.

Military personnel deserve the praise

Regarding David Williams' June 16 letter on the Iraq War: I and other military personnel would agree with the mass "hero" name placed on all those who serve, especially in combat or hazardous situations. This moniker, if you will, is reserved for those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Most of these recipients will tell you that they are not heroes. Military personnel as a whole do not take pleasure in the labeling, even though well deserved for those recognized few. Yet, the people who do serve do need to be recognized for their sacrifices and contributions.

David Williams is way off base by his comments on the alleged massacre of thousands of innocents. Yes, innocents died. Massacre, no. Where is his information coming from? Where's his proof of such slander? Where were Williams' comments when Saddam was actually massacring or torturing (U.N. and other agencies' documentation) tens of thousands of his own people?

These homecoming service personnel did not massacre anyone. They were sent in harm's way and did an outstanding job, even becoming casualties to avoid innocent losses. They are to be commended and congratulated.

Do not compare King Kamehameha and this conflict. The king did some conquering of his own, by the way. No disrespect. He was trying to unite a people and bring stability. Yet, in every conflict there will be controversial moments. The king could relate to that.

Mr. Williams, you should, too. These military personnel are not heroes in one sense, but they are highly admired and respected in another.

New bus schedule makes matters worse

I live in Wahiawa and work in town. I ride the 83 express bus every day, and the service is excellent.

There has been a recent change to the bus schedule that does not justify the upcoming bus fare increase. The 3:40 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. buses have been eliminated and replaced by a 4 p.m. bus. You don't need a math degree to know that two baskets of oranges will not fit into one basket. Having to stand for 45 to 60 minutes in a moving bus after working all day is not only tiring and uncomfortable, but also dangerous. This kind of treatment will not increase ridership.

Fellow bus riders: Call TheBus (848-4500) and also write Mayor Jeremy Harris, 530 S. King St., Room 300, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Inclusiveness requires seeking common ground

While I agree with Jerry Burris' June 15 column ("A pioneer in 'post-ethnic' America") that Hawai'i is a pioneer in "post-ethnic" America, the real question is: Are we "post-exclusive"?

Excluding those who are not "local" in Hawai'i is no different from excluding those who are ethnically different. For the religious people who exclude those of other faiths or no faith are likewise no different from those who exclude based on ethnic background. I understand 51 percent of the population in Hawai'i does not belong to any religion.

The other question is whether we include others by simply being tolerant or actually understanding and appreciating each other. Real acceptance of people of different racial, ethnic, cultural, religious (including those not religious), political and national backgrounds comes only through seeking common ground and learning to understand the differences.

In the end, it is education and dialogue that will bring about a more peaceful world.

A glorious gathering

It was beautiful down there today.

What a glorious way to spend a Sunday. What a glorious way to get locals to go down Waikiki way.

City Council, put aside your differences and save Brunch on the Beach.

Ariyoshi will be sorely missed

Former Gov. George Ariyoshi's term as an East-West Center board member and chairman ended, as Gov. Lingle chose not to reappoint him to a new term. This event marks the end of an era for the EWC, an era in which Gov. Ariyoshi's leadership brought a revival, stabilization and expansion to the EWC and its mission.

Gov. Ariyoshi demonstrated the ability to create a cohesive and hard-working board of governors, develop and guide a new and dynamic EWC administration, stimulate and reactivate the energy of the alumni, and promote new dimensions and directions for the EWC. This list barely begins to describe the impact he has had on the EWC.

During his watch, student numbers have doubled, new and inspired programs have emerged, while the financial foundations of the center have strengthened and grown.

Alumni will remember him as a committed leader whose presence at alumni functions helped awaken their latent potential. From venues as varied as the annual Hawai'i chapter dinner to the East-West Center Association International Conference held in Malaysia last summer, he cultivated alumni input and understanding. He was often accompanied by his wife, Jean, and their engagement served as a model for increased alumni involvement and support for evolving programs of the EWC.

Of most importance was that he was a recognizable international figure in Asia, the Pacific and on the U.S. Mainland. He was a symbol of Hawai'i's and America's commitment to the center's mission to build an Asia-Pacific community. His stature helped recruit an incredible body of international members to the board of governors. Gov. Ariyoshi's links to Asia-Pacific leaders facilitated political, cultural and academic ties between the EWC and nations of the area.

While the alumni welcome the new members to the EWC board of governors and know that they will bring new insights and skills to the board, we would be remiss in not recognizing Gov. Ariyoshi's unique contributions to the East-West Center as chairman of the EWC board of governors.

Mahalo, Governor, on behalf of the 46,000 EWC alumni. You will be missed.