Letters to the Editor

Lingle was right to veto public union arbitration

Kudos to Gov. Lingle for her veto of SB 768, which would have restored arbitration to the HGEA. As an HGEA-mandated member, I know it is in the best interest of the HGEA to use arbitration to solve disputes because the state and counties cannot fight the high-paid lawyers who do the arbitration for the HGEA, and the state and the counties will always lose.

HGEA Director Russell Okata says he is concerned about the economy and the fallout, but I don't believe that, because when they came around looking for signatures to support arbitration, they stated the union could force the state and counties into negotiations they could not afford, and this is the only way to get the "raises" we deserve (at the cost of a balanced fiscal budget).

If the HGEA does strike, I will not be part of it. I will go to work to support my employer and the government; that is why I chose government work. I did not choose it to become rich, and I am grateful to have a job in the economy we have here, and I know many who would give their teeth to have my job.

Surfing connects us to the sea around us

As the mother of a high school surfer, I would like to add my voice to those supporting the sanctioning of surfing as an accredited school sport.

Surfing is the Hawaiian sport. Not football, which originated in England (as rugby); not basketball, which was invented by a Canadian living in Massachusetts; and not baseball, which probably originated in New York. Surfing is a sport that connects people to the sea around us, which, for most of our history, was the key to our survival.

Surfing requires patience, dexterity, physical fitness, finesse, courage and a serious study of waves and weather. And today, with the advent of new materials, it is a sport that has an important element of technology as well.

Against all these virtues, there is one, and only one, negative. Surfers may get hurt, and "litigation is inevitable."

As the people of Hawai'i, we have to choose between supporting a sport that is noble, spiritual and an important part of the Hawaiian heritage, or give in to our excessively litigious society. Surely, this is an easy decision for all of us to make.

When my son competes in surf competitions against Californians, we are always the "poor relations." Make this an accredited sport, and you will see our young men and women make all Hawai'i residents proud.

Legislators must put kids before re-election

It's about time. Thanks to Gov. Lingle, who recently signed a law that gives the Department of Education control over the process of repairing and maintaining public schools, these projects will be finished according to the educators' priorities. Our leaders are finally putting children before politics.

Your June 23 editorial "Time to rationalize school building plans" was right on. You said politicians need to apply this same philosophy to school construction projects. What a shame House and Senate politicians still put their re-elections first by making sure that their districts get the most school construction money, whether it's needed or not. Meanwhile, schools like Kalihi Elementary, where immigrants and poverty-stricken children go to school, are left with worn-down buildings and broken facilities.

Thank you, Advertiser, for drawing public attention to the politics of school construction. Let's hope that next year, legislators will put the children before their own re-election.

Money cannot buy success, championships

The University of Hawai'i seems to be putting the cart before the horse.

In reviewing the list of the highest-paid football coaches in the country, I noticed two very important things: The programs were tradition-rich, and each had a long line of successful coaches. Additionally, each one of the programs year in and year out consistently rank in the top 20 and play in a major bowl game.

None of these attributes applies to the UH football program and never will until it decides to play a balanced schedule. Now it's nine home games out of a 12-game schedule, a fact not lost on sportswriters who vote in the polls.

Until UH decides to go on the road against quality teams and proves it can win on the road, it will continue to be mired in mediocrity with the highest-paid coach not in the top 20. High salaries should be a reward for proven performance, not an icon to pin hopes on.

Wake up, UH. Money cannot buy success or championships.

Contraception method does not abort embryo

Gov. Lingle has vetoed SB 658, which would have required hospitals to provide information regarding emergency contraception and provide that emergency contraception, should a sexual assault survivor so request it.

Emergency contraception is not abortion. It reduces the risk of pregnancy, but does not abort an impregnated embryo.

Catholic hospitals across the country already dispense these to rape victims, and I doubt that there would have been serious misgivings at a Catholic hospital here. However, I guess the governor knows what she is doing. Call it a "New Ending" for rape victims' rights.

Even limited coverage is better than nothing

I am wondering if Gov. Lingle cares more about pets than she does about those of us who can't afford private long-term-care insurance. She authorized reducing quarantine time for pets but vetoed the bill for universal, affordable long-term care (SB 1088).

I agree with the governor that 365 days of coverage is very limited. However, the 365 days may be extended by reducing the amount of coverage expended daily.

Most people would prefer being cared for at home as long as possible, and SB 1088 would have made it happen if only Gov. Lingle had allowed it to become law.

Sidewalk performers in Waikiki increasing

The number of sidewalk performers in Waikiki seems to be growing every month for the worse. The increasing number of musicians, artisans and mimes causes our sidewalks to become congested with bystanders, sometimes making it difficult for those walking by, especially those in wheelchairs.

Fronting the Duty Free store on Kalakaua Avenue are large groups of break dancers who cause large crowds to form and again make it difficult to pass.

Sidewalks should be used for the continuous movement of pedestrian traffic, not as a place for soliciting money for sidewalk performances, displays and crafts. The City Council should create an ordinance banning the use of Waikiki's public sidewalks as a place of entertainment.