Posted on: Thursday, October 16, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Why didn't friends, family deter speeder?

I've just about had it with the local "race car" mentality of Hawai'i drivers.

I know the man currently in critical condition as a result of the irresponsible and selfish behavior of a young adult who thought it was cool to place another innocent person in danger this past weekend. I feel for family members and friends weeping on television about their lost loved one; however, where were you before this past weekend?

Family members admitted his "love for racing" but did nothing. Friends, why did you ride with him? Peer pressure does wonders.

It's about time our politicians actually do something to protect the law-abiding citizens that all the roadside memorials all but ignore — as shrines are built for those who kill innocent people because of their immaturity.

Kamehameha's wars were misinterpreted

In response to Greg Smith's Oct. 11 letter: The level of ignorance that some people have regarding the great ali'i Kamehameha never ceases to amaze me. How dare he make the absurd comparison between the events of Kamehameha's victory at the battle of Nu'uanu and the centuries-long enslavement of Africans at the hands of the Western world.

For someone whose actions are often portrayed in a negative light by newcomers, it must be noted that Kamehameha's unification of the Islands ended centuries of conflict between warring chiefs. It is true that wars were needed to accomplish this goal. However, similar events took place in Germany in the 19th century, and few would accuse Bismarck or Kaiser Wilhelm of gross atrocities.

In addition, Mr. Smith and others should research Kamehameha's "Law of the Splintered Paddle," which is contained in the state's Constitution. The law, which prevented the chiefs from imposing on and abusing commoners, illustrates the king's strong and fair leadership.

Mr. Smith's equation of Kamehameha to those who enslaved Africans is simply naive, and his perpetuation of false ideas doesn't sound like the aloha spirit I know.

OHA relies on myths, falsehoods for support

The Oct. 5 response of the OHA board of trustees to the Sept. 28 commentary by Earl Arakaki says to look at the facts — but then uses myths and falsehoods as its justification.

The OHA trustees would have people believe that the more than 100 acts of Congress benefitting Hawaiians are somehow acknowledgment by the United States that some form of reparations or payment is due Native Hawaiians for perceived past injustices.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Even the often misquoted "apology bill" does not mandate any sort of monetary settlement to Hawaiians, nor does it recognize them as being a political class of people with special entitlements.

The OHA trustees claim that the $70 million in federal programs that benefit Hawaiians-only programs actually helps state taxpayers because it brings federal funds to Hawai'i. These same federal funds would probably be brought into the state anyway, however, and given to all people of all races based on their need and not their ancestry. What about the millions in state tax dollars siphoned away from needy individuals (including Hawai'i's public school students) who have no Hawaiian blood and that go to pay for Hawaiians-only programs such as Hawaiian Homelands and OHA itself?

No court has ever rendered a judgment stating that Hawaiians, due solely to their ancestry, are owed funding of their programs over those intended to benefit all needy citizens. As a taxpayer, I find it repugnant that some of my tax dollars are being used to fund programs that are available only to persons of a certain ethnic group because this is a brazen violation of the U.S. Constitution.

'This stupid queue'

Rube Goldberg could not have devised a more devious and frustrating processing procedure than the one the city had waiting for seniors who wanted to buy bus passes at the Blaisdell Center last week. All this led seniors to lament: "And as our days dwindle down to a precious few, we'll spend these days stuck in this stupid queue."

Enforce law against those loud mufflers

Honolulu police officers could start accumulating the money for their raises today by enforcing Traffic Code Sec. 15-2-13. This city ordinance states that it is illegal to operate a vehicle that is "excessive" or unusually noisy.

There is a lot of money that could be taken in because there seems to be an increase in the number of morons who are attaching these absurdly loud mufflers to their cars and motorbikes.

If the police would just enforce this ordinance, there would be more money for raises, and we could all get a little peace and quiet.

'No libertarian mecca' points up our problems

"So Hawai'i is no libertarian mecca" (editorial, Oct. 5). Your comparison between Hawai'i's government and that of New Hampshire should reinforce how much better governed they are than we.

Hawai'i is one of the most regulated and highly taxed states in the country. Taxes fall more heavily on poor and working-class residents here than virtually anywhere. Yet we have among the worst roads and schools, the highest crime rates and costs of living, plus traffic woes and a seemingly endless stream of political scandals and corruption.

Hawai'i is arguably the worst governed state in the country.

Your editorial implies that Libertarians want to make everyone cart away their own trash and abolish the police. Libertarians are against the initiation of force. There is nothing in our platform or doctrine that could lead your paper to conclude services that people would voluntarily pay for would cease under a Libertarian administration.

Use a speakerphone or ear piece while driving

Using cell phones while driving is dangerous.

A friend was once talking on her cell while driving a manual-shift car. Driving such a car is hard enough because you have to concentrate on the clutch and the shifting of the different gears. Concentrating on an important phone call takes great concentration.

Well, she had stopped at a stoplight when someone called her. She answered, and in the corner of her eye she saw a light change and drove off. What she didn't know was that she had gone through a red light.

Nobody was hurt, but this could have caused a major accident.

Instead of making phone calls illegal, it would be safer if the drivers used a hands-free device like a speakerphone or an ear piece. Drivers with phones need to be aware of the dangers they cause. They can think they are multi-tasking, but they create a more dangerous environment for other drivers and pedestrians.

It is up to the drivers to advocate and take action for this change. By using the hands-free device, we create a safer atmosphere for everyone.

Tell us names of those supporting Jones' salary

The University of Hawai'i's athletic director, Herman Frazier, should disclose the names of the people and businesses that are making monetary donations toward June Jones' salary.

The public has no way of knowing whether he is getting his money legitimately. If June Jones' paychecks are legal, there isn't a reason why the law-abiding citizens of Hawai'i should have the names withheld from them.

If the public doesn't find out who the private donors are, the UH athletic department should be under full investigation by the NCAA. Disclose the names of the private donors and save the possibility of greater actions against the school's athletic department. If everything is legitimate, Herman Frazier has nothing to worry about.

Steely Dan concert was disappointing

While Derek Paiva's review of the Steely Dan concert on Saturday at Blaisdell may have been technically correct, his review neglected to mention serious disappointments at this $80-a-seat event.

More than a few fans were puzzled at the song list for the evening, which was light on past hits. Even allowing that this tour was for the new album, why feature the weakest of the new material for this pricey 29-year return?

Then there is the basic problem with concerts at the arena. The vocals were barely discernable due to the poor sound mix typical at Blaisdell. You had to be a real fan who knew the lyrics to enjoy the songs.

Maybe it is time for a newer, better venue.

Recycling bins should be put in popular places

We are fortunate to live on a beautiful island like O'ahu, but it won't be so beautiful if we keep wasting our resources. My suggestion is to implement a recycling program now.

The city can survey locations to determine the most frequently visited places on O'ahu. They could put recycling bins in those places and start a campaign to encourage recycling. This would be similar to the Mililani Curbside Recycling Pilot Project (a test project where Mililani residents can sign up for curbside pickup of recyclables). These two projects could combine so that recycling would become islandwide, not just for people's homes.

The city could make a new division and hire workers for this project. Recycling can keep our environment healthy, provide jobs, ensure that our tourism industry doesn't dwindle because of pollution, and teach our children to conserve.

We seem to be losing it

If it costs us nearly a million bucks to buy a football coach who loses, what will it cost us to buy a football coach who wins?

Act 221 is good for state, will reverse 'brain drain'

Sean Hao's article in the Oct. 9 paper, "Tax credit audit finding few questionable claims," was excellent and backs up what I have been writing here since fighting the Lingle administration's proposed amendments to Act 221. As you remember, legislative Republicans lined up behind the governor in claiming widespread abuse as a reason that Act 221 needed to be drastically scaled back.

Act 221 is good for the state, is good for the economy and has far-reaching impact into securing economic prosperity for our children. We have been complaining about the "brain drain" for years, and it was addressed in the last political campaign as a major issue. Act 221 is the only piece of legislation that has directly addressed that concern and will go a long way to lure expatriates back to Hawai'i.

It sickens me that the one chance we have to develop a long-lasting and sustainable industry has been met with disdain from the Lingle administration as well as most of the Republican Party. Shame on you folks for trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the very people you represent.

Act 221 is attracting many businesses here from the Mainland, and close behind are a handful of venture capital firms that are looking to invest some serious capital here. The University of Hawai'i is embarking on some very leading-edge research and is quietly ruling the professorial world in attracting top researchers in bio-medical, astronomical and ocean science research, to name three. Hawaii Pacific University has just opened up a new master's program in Computer Information Systems, and companies such as STI, Novasol, Oceanit, Hawaii Biotech and Firetide are making major strides in the technology fields.

The Hawai'i tech community should stand tall, and the rest of Hawai'i should acknowledge these hard-working folks with pride and honor.

Let your politicians know that you support Act 221 and that they should, too. Remember, an election year is fast approaching.