Posted on: Saturday, May 17, 2003

Letters to the Editor

The oil companies are gouging us again

Well, the oil companies are at it again: They are mining the gold from the mines we call the state of Hawai'i. Once again Hawai'i has the highest gas prices in the nation.

One has to wonder how much influence the oil companies bought when they contributed to Linda Lingle's campaign for governor. Since she has become governor, what has she done to protect us from the oil companies taking these massive pots of gold from these mines and stashing them in their pockets on the Mainland?

Gov. Lingle, what are you going to do about this unfair practice?

File Keliiaa
Wai'anae

Rozmiarek review won't draw applause

For a director of a local production to publicly comment about a reviewer of local productions is much like tickling a playful cat's stomach. It's fun for about half a minute, but the cat will eventually get you.

A respected acting teacher in New York City once gave me the following advice: "If you are going to direct plays, work at every other job involved in the production of that play so that you will know what you are asking them to do."

Those of us in the theater community in Honolulu assume that any person who reviews (for payment) over 40 productions a year has a knowledge of theater beyond that of the average audience member, and that knowledge is objective and inclusive of more than the history of a production.

So, to tickle Joseph Rozmiarek's "stomach" with a paraphrase of my teacher's advice - "If you are going to present to the public a knowledgeable review of a production, know what other jobs involved in that production contributed so that your review will have objective credibility."

There is a current trend on television - trading places. I'm sure there are directors in Honolulu who would like to trade places with Mr. Rozmiarek for one production. Perhaps we all could learn something about the other's job.

Jim Hutchison

India, Pakistan must reach agreement

Your May 12 editorial about Kashmir provides an honest, accurate and sincere assessment of the Indo-Kash-Pak region and faith of over a billion people of the subcontinent.

India and Pakistan, with the help of world powers, need to address the aspirations and plight of the Kashmir people once for all across the table. I am sure people of divided Kashmir will be helpful. They have been the real victims of the Indo-Pak stalemate.

Thanks for a timely, accurate and honest editorial.

Col. Ali M. Khajawall
First secretary
Kashmir American Mission
Diamond Bar, Calif.

With the war over, why is gas still high?

Hawai'i has the highest gas prices in the nation. Why is that?

When the war started in March, it was announced there may be an oil shortage. Gas prices skyrocketed. Now that the war is over and there is no oil shortage, why haven't the prices dropped? When will they drop?

Are the oil companies trying to make a quick buck ... again?

Alan Tokumura

'Good in Bed' good for curing insomnia

Dear Dave Shapiro,

Most of the time, I find myself in agreement with your views on current issues. I enjoy your analytical ability and your attractive writing style.

Here comes a disagreement on a specific issue, i.e., calling J. Weiner's novel "Good in Bed" "immensely funny." The only good thing about "Good in Bed" is it puts you into a deep sleep by Page 2. Insomnia cured immediately. There is a German theater piece that goes something like: "I read a book last night. Where did I stop? Oh yes, on Page 1."

I pride myself on a high level of enlightenment, but when I glossed through that book, I couldn't find anything funny at all. The only attractive thing is the come-on title and the eye-catching cover. Nothing else.

Gerhard C. Hamm

Academic standards are reason to attend

Regarding Charlene Hosokawa's May 13 letter: Parents who send their children to private school don't send them for the sole purpose of status.

Yes, there may be very influential people in the community who send their children to private school, but along with them are other people who work very hard to send their kids to private school. Why? Because the academic standards are much higher, and I know this for a fact.

I took my daughter out of public school after a miserable five years because I felt she wasn't utilizing her full potential. No matter how much I tried to help her at home, I got no support from her teachers. At her new school, it's totally the opposite. My daughter is doing so well that she is enjoying school and wanting to learn.

Private school is college prep; public school is college prep, or at least I thought it was.

Ken Anama