Letters to the Editor
Legislators should buy their own laptops
Selfish legislators. They are totally out of touch with reality. They have the nerve to buy themselves laptop computers. Then they tell the Department of Education there is no money for the schools.
Oh, please! Give me a break! Their priorities are self-centered. All those laptops must go to the schools.
Legislators can buy their own laptops or do without. They should have no more than what the schools have. Let them try living on the budget they approve for the schools. Are you going to re-elect these people again?
Carolyn Walther
Lingle was misquoted on state librarian
I must be losing my hearing or something. I just read the article by Will Hoover about the state librarian (March 6). Defending someone is a good thing, but when you print a mistake to do it, that's not.
Gov. Lingle did not say Virginia Lowell was unprofessional for failing to keep the libraries open longer than the 40-hour, five-day period. She said Lowell was unprofessional because she said that the public does not dictate what the hours will be. Two way-different meanings.
I agree with Gov. Lingle. What is the purpose of a public library in the first place? To cater to the public. If the government officials are not going to get on board with this concept, see you later.
You should support Gov. Lingle because she seems to be putting the boot where it belongs: toward the rears of those who have been sitting on same for too long. Be fair and truthful in your reporting.
Joe Marshall
Hawai'i shown to be fair to its taxpayers
Those who still believe Hawai'i is a "tax hell" should look at the February 2003 issue of Governing magazine, put out by the Congressional Quarterly. Of its 117 pages, 77 are devoted to state taxes, including 50 for each of the states.
Every state's tax system is summarized on fairness of taxes, adequacy of taxes and management of systems. Of the 50 states, Hawai'i is the only one with four stars on fairness to taxpayers. Mainly on its regressive excise taxes is Hawai'i criticized for harm "disproportionately on the poor."
Along with most states, Hawai'i received only three stars for adequacy of taxes and two stars for management of the system. Much faulted was a "multitude of tax exemptions and credits." Specifically mentioned was a "$75 million tax break for an aquarium project." There are many others.
Another criticism was: "Unfortunately, the state doesn't prepare a tax expenditure report showing the cost of tax exemptions and credits." That should include an examination of over-subsidized tourism and underfunded public schools — near the nation's lowest in funds, maintenance, teacher shortages and uncertified teachers.
Jerome Manis
Focus on how library can deliver services
I am amused at how quickly the public library situation has degenerated into name-calling and calls for the state librarian's resignation. Critics are quick to attack the messenger rather than address the message.
I know of no librarian who wants to reduce library hours when the libraries are properly funded and staffed. I know of no library patron who wants the library to offer less than the highest standards of quality library service.
What other services can the library eliminate to meet the 4.5 percent budget cut we have had to endure during this fiscal year? Does the public care that many libraries are trying desperately to cover the current library hours with many vacant positions since the hiring freeze was imposed on Dec. 30? Maintaining the current public hours cannot meet both the hiring-freeze restrictions and budget-reduction goals. Even lifting the hiring freeze without adequate funding would not allow the libraries to hire and train staff needed to retain the current levels of library service and materials the public expects.
As a federal documents librarian, I accept the responsibility of ensuring public access to my collection and find extreme difficulty in contemplating options that restrict delivering this information to anyone in any form. As a concerned citizen, I wish all parties would come together to help the Hawai'i State Library deliver quality service and materials with an immediate future of reduced staff and operating funds.
Stewart Chun
Pearl City
H-3 tunnel renaming a positive change
A grateful thank-you goes to Kongo Kimura and Yoshie Tanabe in spearheading the drive to rename the H-3 tunnels back to the Harano tunnels. It was also satisfying to know that it had support from the Burns family.
By this act, Gov. Lingle has helped restore some of the faith and confidence lost during the previous administration.
Changing the sign on the tunnels has further erased the legacy left behind by the Cayetano administration. Hopefully this is a sign for eight years of positive change.
Steven M. Nakamura
Kapolei
PBS provides forum for current events
If you don't mind our taking this opportunity to help inform readers, three recent letters have relevance to PBS Hawaii:
Japanese Consul General Masatoshi Muto is indeed noteworthy from other consul generals who have served Hawai'i in recent memory. As stated by Bob Hampton, Muto is very articulate, well-informed and, most importantly, accessible. Last week was the first time in its four seasons that a Japanese consul general has appeared as a guest on PBS Hawaii's "Island Insights."
Many people, like Ted Obringer, have wondered about the connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden as justification for war. A recent episode of "Frontline," which airs on PBS Hawaii at 9 p.m. Thursdays, featured "The War Behind Closed Doors" and profiled a behind-the-scenes look at the policy perspectives of Colin Powell and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. The video stream of this show can be accessed at www.pbs.org/frontline.
And finally, the long success of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" is, without a doubt, because of Fred Rogers' genuine gentleness, and he will be greatly missed.
Mike McCartney
President and CEO, PBS Hawaii
Sentiment attributed to war protesters wrong
The March 10 letter from Kelly Bixler ("Anti-war protesters are ignoring reality") is an excellent example of how Bixler's own "reality" (and that of millions of Americans) has been altered by the Bush administration's misinformation campaign to shift the blame for the 9/11 terrorist attacks from Osama bin Laden to Saddam Hussein.
Bixler states that "American leftist protesters" think " ... there was no Sept. 11, 2001. There were no 3,000-plus Americans killed. Saddam Hussein is a lovely, peaceful man." I know of no protesters who believe any of these statements.
What we do believe is that, by attacking Iraq, we would be destroying the lives of thousands of innocent people in an attempt to kill one man whose links to al-Qaida and Osama have never been proven.
John Wythe White
Hale'iwa
Ethnic-cleansing scene ruined Willis movie
Regarding your piece on the Bruce Willis movie "Tears of the Sun" (TGIF, March 7): It said that the director had issues with the ethnic-cleansing scene in the middle of the movie and felt that cutting it down to 18 minutes would make it more palatable to audiences. This is where I walked out.
I could not think of any ending that would add closure and make me feel at least a little better about seeing this movie.
I went to see it because it was filmed in Maunawili, and I figured with Willis, it might be an OK flick. I had no idea that it was about ethnic cleansing.
I think what bothered me the most about my experience was the father one row in front of me with his young daughter. He should have had better judgment in bringing her to an R-rated movie in the first place, but to sit there as the movie opens with news-type footage of people being executed in the streets was shocking. As I left during the ethnic-cleansing scene, he was still there with his daughter, munching on his popcorn.
Gregg Swoish
Kailua
Garbage trucks are ruining Waikiki peace
Who besides me (and most of our Waikiki tourists) is tired of being awakened by garbage trucks? (Twice! First up one side of the street, then down the other.)
I have written and called the City Council, police and mayor about the pre-7 a.m. racket (including the trucks setting off car alarms). Don't the "quiet enjoyment" and 10 p.m.-to-7 a.m. "quiet laws" apply to the G-men, too? And if not, then why not?
Recent visitors to Waikiki told me they were appalled by the noise of the early a.m. garbage trucks and would now vacation on the quieter Neighbor Islands. Waking to the echoes and crash of the truck engine and bins down in Waikiki is hardly the way to enjoy a restful vacation.
If tourism, including long-term vacationers in other locations than Waikiki, is our bread and butter, why would we continue to disturb their sleep? Most big cities wait until after 7 a.m. to begin garbage service. And they don't even have the welfare of tourists to consider. They just care about their citizens and voters. Please stop this insanity.
Sheri Pacheco
Choose homeless site near Sand Island Park
After a decade of the homeless enduring their plight on beaches and in parks, a comprehensive assistance center is now being suggested. What a capital idea — all paid for by federal funds to relieve the rapidly increasing city taxpayer burden.
For a homeless population of 200 in Kapi'olani Park in 1996, to A'ala Park, Ala Moana Beach Park and now islandwide up to 7,000, this type of facility has been recommended from the outset. But the experts also know that some homeless prefer the outdoor lifestyle and rarely venture close to the advantages offered.
Therefore, why not form a city-state partnership to build the facility with federal funds on state land adjacent to Sand Island Park?
Michelle Spalding Matson
Who would've known?
Aren't we lucky Envirowatch is watching? If Carrol Cox hadn't pointed out that mountain of toxic trash in Waipahu, who would've known?
Barbara Ikeda
Glen Gaspar — the class darling
Growing up in Hawai'i is unique. Being in such close proximity on an island like this affords us a measure of intimacy that differentiates us from other places.
We always remember the people whom we went to grade school with, and though years may go by, there's an unspoken understanding that we'll get to play catch-up sometime down the road.
We fully expect to cross paths with those whom we shared our "hanabutta" days with and should be bumping into people whether at the movies, the beach, weddings, reunions or other celebrations.
So it was with great sadness and disbelief when I learned of the passing of slain officer Glen Gaspar, someone whom I attended Ma'ema'e Elementary with and going back even further, Sabala's Pre-School when it was on Judd Street and later moved to Robinson Lane, nestled behind Oahu Cemetery.
Glen and I were in the same kindergarten class, Mrs. Goo's, from 1968-69. He had that slicked-down side-comb hair that must have been the way moms groomed their boys "back in the day." Glen was indisputably the class darling and clown. I distinctly recall that rascal smile and can still rattle off the names of at least five of my classmates who had a crush on him. Come to think of it, maybe it was all the girls in the class.
I remember that when the teacher would leave the class during nap time, we could always count on entertainment from Glen. We would lie down on our little mats and feign sleeping, watching "Glen Gaspar's Variety Show" the whole time. I am not sure if he was ever reprimanded for it, I am not sure I learned to read in that class or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but Glen's memory is sealed in my mind from those good ol' days at Ma'ema'e School.
Life has a way of fast-forwarding itself as the years pass before us. Marriage, family, children, jobs and other activities keep us spinning our wheels. But our minds always hold those memories of him. It sounds like he grew up to be a wonderful person whom others would want to emulate, a loving father, hardworking colleague and all-around good guy.
I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and pray that in the days ahead, words like these would provide a balm to soothe their souls as they face their great loss. May all those who knew and loved him cherish and embrace his memory in their hearts.
Melissa Kamakawiwo'ole
