Letters to the Editor
Obesity studies stress need for responsibility
Now that we've fortunately made it through another legislative session without adopting a "universal healthcare" law, I wish to add some recent statistical data to the future debate.
Recent media stories have highlighted studies showing most healthcare problems are self-inflicted. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity costs taxpayers over $93 billion annually. Sixty-five percent of Americans are considered obese.
Another study shows obesity to be a primary factor in cancer cases and the vast majority of Type II diabetes.
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that less than 3 percent of those with high blood pressure (hypertension) require any medication, but rather diet and lifestyle changes, to reduce levels.
Finally, a study released recently shows 25 percent of Americans do not exercise at all.
Cancer, hypertension and diabetes are now the top-three health concerns in the United States. It is not a case of insurance companies and doctors gouging the innocent citizen. It is a lack of personal responsibility and accountability toward one's own healthcare and lifestyle choices.
Remember these studies when Rep. Dennis Arakaki poses his usual healthcare cost hyperbole come January.
Dan Morin
Recent terror attack was to be expected
In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia, I find it intriguing that the Bush administration is berating the Saudi government for not preventing this attack when its own reckless actions in Iraq almost certainly led to this atrocity.
This administration attacked Iraq on virtually a unilateral basis alleging that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction and was an imminent threat to U.S. security. Undeterred by international law or principle, the military might of this country was then unleashed on a fourth-rate military force (hardly turning out to be an imminent and serious threat) and, even now, weeks later, no evidence of the so-called "weapons of mass destruction" has been found despite massive efforts.
The administration then quickly "flipped the switch" and began to tout this as a "war of liberation" in which the oppressed citizens of Iraq were freed from the tyranny of the Butcher of Baghdad. President Bush and his ruling cabal have claimed the world is a safer place with Saddam's fall, a statement that the families of the terrorist victims in Saudi Arabia would hardly agree with.
Our unwarranted and destructive military action in Iraq will generate many more Osama bin Ladens and attacks against innocents, Americans as well as others. It needlessly cost the lives of thousands of Iraqis and over 150 Americans and allied force members while devastating much of Iraq.
This administration and those in the media and in Congress who supported such actions bear some degree of responsibility.
John Witeck
Why do we have to be the cash cow?
Sure, the gas prices on O'ahu are steep and we may not get relief soon, but remember to watch in the coming year for the profit statements of the local oil companies. I doubt if it would take a psychic to predict fantastic profits and great profit margins.
This is Hawai'i, true, but the refineries spend less here to produce fuel than in California or New York, so why do we have to be the cash cow?
Douglas Schott
Wai'anae
City must do something about motorcycle noise
It's too bad a few jerks lacking in something must vent with loud noise. All day and all night these people afflict thousands of tourists and locals with motorcycles that seem to have no mufflers.
There have been a number of letters to the editor about it, but nothing happens. So I guess this is not the right forum to use. Call and e-mail the city of Honolulu and speak up. I will.
I came back from vacation on the Mainland a few weeks ago. I was going to tell people there that Waikiki is not a peaceful place to visit. Guess what? I did not have to. All the people whom I talked to about the noise think Waikiki stinks.
It's about time to do something.
Norm Chalmers
$11 million for a study of culture unwarranted
Even though I am an avid reader of The Advertiser, I must admit that I skip over certain sections, public notices being one of them. However, a public notice on page A9 (May 15) caught my attention: $11 million of state and federal money is being spent to "preserve and interpret the cultural resources located in the lands affected by H-3."
What?
I've heard of "pork barrel," but what is this about? The pig showing us its 'okole?
In these tough fiscal times, we can certainly find better uses for our tax dollars than this sort of nonsense ... think schools, libraries, roads, etc.
Or maybe I should apply for a grant to study the effects of garbage pickup on the sleep cycle of the cockroach.
Auwe.
Steve Doyle
Hale'iwa
Fix infrastructureSunset on the Beach wastes our money
I have to agree with Spike Nishii (Letters, May 16): Sunset on the Beach is a waste of taxpayers' hard-earned (if you have a job) money.
We have just returned to Honolulu from Brisbane, Australia, and we were shocked by the "Third World" condition here of the roads, the ugly power cables, the lack of sidewalks, the generally poor state of infrastructure.
We live on "the island of Waikiki," two blocks back from the "over-beautified" tourist strip.
We need immediate attention to basic infrastructure. Sunset on the Beach is ugly (especially the screen frame), and creates traffic congestion and garbage. It is a luxury we can no longer afford.
Lois Raynor
Doing something right
Major kudos to Donna Nakamura and her fifth-grade class at Ma'ema'e. It is so refreshing to see this class making a difference in its community by raising support to rebuild the chapel. You caught some kids doing something right.
Kevin Inn
Rozmiarek's review of 'Music Man' tone deaf
I have long been an enthusiast of community theater in Honolulu and have come to know the reputation of Joseph Rozmiarek as a rather cruel reviewer. But I've always been impressed by his insight and the fact that he actually does seem to know what he's talking about.
Reading his review of Army Theater's current delightful production of "The Music Man" gave me a new perspective on Mr. Rozmiarek's work and reputation. It was not wrong so much as misleading.
Having too many people on stage during the big dance numbers gave the whole cast a chance to participate. Apparently, he was so focused on us non-dancers bravely marching in the background, feeling quite proud that we had learned to do so without tripping, that he completely missed a dozen teenagers "between the ages of 7 and adulthood" in the foreground dancing with marvelous skill and grace.
And Nicole Sullivan didn't sing "well enough," she sang beautifully. I do agree with him that the quartet was one of the highlights of the show (my husband is the baritone).
He still had the benefit of my doubt until I got to the last statement. I don't see how one can compare actors to Sylvester the cat and vaudeville buffoons and then call the production lethargic. Make up your mind, Mr. Rozmiarek. Whatever else it may be, the play is energetic and as entertaining as heck. Ask anyone (else) who's seen it.
Robbie Brandt
Blame Mayor Harris for poor road maintenance
Our roadways on O'ahu are getting so bad nowadays that everyone is starting to grumble.
In a recent Advertiser article, "Budget cuts hurt road repairs," Mike Leidemann writes: "Hit hard by budget cuts imposed by the City Council, the administration has had to reduce the number of roads that can be resurfaced or rebuilt every year." This statement is just plain wrong. The truth is, it's the Harris administration that has dropped the ball when it comes to road maintenance.
Data provided by the city Department of Facilities Maintenance shows that during the eight years preceding the Harris administration, an average of 250 lane miles of roads were resurfaced annually. The data shows a steep drop-off that coincides with the election of Jeremy Harris as mayor. This downward trend continues until reaching an all-time low of just 35 lane miles of road resurfacing done during the fiscal year 1999-2000.
But this dramatic drop in road maintenance was not caused by budget cuts imposed by the City Council, as Leidemann writes. In fact, year after year the administration has failed to spend the money provided by the council for road upkeep. According to Council Chairman Gary Okino, there is presently $32 million of encumbered funds already in the pipeline for work that hasn't been done.
Let's call a spade a spade: Jeremy Harris was never interested in road maintenance. He's been busy with all those glamorous construction projects designed to promote his political ambitions. Let's face it, you can't have a grand opening celebration for a road-resurfacing project.
To ignore core city services such as road maintenance and then turn around and spend millions of tax dollars on fancy projects designed to promote one's political career is a betrayal of the taxpayers' trust. It is bad government and it is the reason the city is in such bad financial shape today.
Your property taxes are going up and you can expect an even bumpier ride on our city roadways thanks to Jeremy Harris.
John Pritchett
Campaign donations hold no sway
Over the past nine years, the city has voluntarily employed a merit-based selection system using the same qualifications-based criteria cited in the new procurement law recently signed by the governor.
As one of the participants in the process, I am bothered by the fact that your newspaper continues to imply that those involved in the selection process know if a consultant has donated to the mayor's campaign, and that this would be a factor in their decisions. That is simply not true.
Here's a brief review of the city's nonbid consultant procurement process:
- Once a year, an advertisement is placed in the local newspapers inviting professional service providers to submit their letters of interest and statements of qualifications.
- An annual workshop is held with the various service providers to outline the process and to answer any questions.
- A review committee composed of appropriately qualified and experienced civil servants reviews the submittals of interested applicants and establishes a list of qualified professionals for the various service categories.
- As the need for professional services arises, a screening committee comprised of at least three employees with sufficient education, training and experience is convened to determine the 10 most qualified applicants for the service required.
- The list of 10 is then sent to the city's chief procurement officer (CPO), in alphabetical order, for final ranking.
- The CPO ranks the top three persons or asks for the assistance of a ranking recommendation committee to determine the top three professionals.
- The final ranking is transmitted to the department overseeing the project to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract.
- Once a contract is executed, all related selection documents, including the names of all participants, are included in the contract file, and is available for public scrutiny. In addition, the contract name and the contracted consultant is posted on a state Web site as required by law.
I reiterate that we use a merit-based system and are never pressured on whom to include on our lists. Political considerations do not play any role in our selection process and the contracting of our consultants (as your May 15 editorial implies).
Eugene C. Lee
Civil engineer
