Letters to the Editor

'Volcanic reaction' to Bush doll was wasted ink

It appears columnist David Shapiro had a rather volcanic reaction to a doll depicting President Bush in a flight suit. I have no idea how Mr. Shapiro reacts to other such dolls, but this certainly unleashed a clutter of unsubstantiated detritus pertaining to, and an invective aimed at, said president.

Truth is, Mr. Shapiro does not like George Bush. Could've saved a lot of ink by just stating that fact. Then write about something useful.

Kamehameha already provides financial aid

Jim Henshaw's Sept. 6 letter to the editor erroneously assumes that because Kamehameha Schools uses academic ability as one of its criteria for screening applicants, there is no preference for indigent Hawaiians.

Ke Ali'i Bernice Pauahi's will is clear: She directs her trustees "to devote a portion of each year's income to the support and education of orphans, and others in indigent circumstances, giving the preference to Hawaiians of pure or part aboriginal blood ... "

Kamehameha Schools always has and continues to set aside priority spaces for orphan and indigent children. To be considered for these spaces, one or both biological parents of an applicant must be deceased, or the applicant's family must receive assistance from the Hawai'i Department of Human Services.

But even beyond admissions preference for orphans and indigents, Kamehameha Schools subsidizes over 90 percent of the actual costs for all students and provides financial aid to many KS families that do not receive DHS services.

On average, over 65 percent of our families qualify for additional financial assistance beyond the tuition subsidy all families receive. In the 2002-03 school year, out of more than 4,400 students at Kamehameha's three campuses, a total of 2,996 students qualified for and received financial aid — 2,549 received full assistance and 447 received partial aid to cover tuition, fees and meal costs. Full financial assistance ranges from $1,300 for a kindergarten student to $3,350 for a high school boarding student.

If not gas price cap, then do something else

The commentaries of U.S. Rep. Ed Case and state Sen. Fred Hemmings in the Sept. 12 Advertiser indicated very conflicting views on the gasoline price cap.

Disproportionately high prices have certainly been fueled by lack of competition. Rep. Case believes the industry needs control via the cap; Sen. Hemmings believes the cap will lead to higher prices, and instead favors a free-market economy with more competition.

I am not an advocate of Act 77, but I share the frustration of its supporters. With few exceptions (Costco, military PXs, off-brand stations), the price of a gallon of regular gasoline on O'ahu is five to 10 cents higher than what true competition dictates, and at times has been significantly greater. The consumer is helpless, since it may not be cost-effective to seek out a low-cost retailer.

In this case, it is the responsibility of government to protect its constituents. Rep. Case believes Act 77 will do this; Sen. Hemmings believes it will not. If the will of the Legislature is to repeal Act 77, the public deserves a definitive plan on how competition will be stimulated to achieve fair, free-market pricing. To do nothing is not acceptable.

Shouldn't president apologize for the war?

After dozens of lies over the past two years — by our president, vice president, secretaries of state, defense and homeland security, attorney general, foreign policy adviser, president's press secretary and others of their ilk — the president now admits that he has found no ties between Saddam Hussein and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S.A.

Shouldn't he apologize for lying and also apologize for starting the war, invading a militarily weak country that had never threatened us, and killing tens of thousands of Iraqis and Americans?

How can we ever believe anything they say in the future?

Please respect rights of the moped riders

I'm one of the many working people out there who has resorted to moped riding since this ridiculous strike. I used to depend on the bus for my trek from Hawai'i Kai to downtown.

I used to ride in the bike lane every day on Kalaniana'ole Highway until I received a flat a couple weeks ago from the rubbish dumped on the side of the road. But yesterday I quit that idea; I received a second flat.

Now I'm going to start riding in the car lane because of so much trash in the bike lane. People don't respect the moped riders. They honk at you even when you're riding on the white line of the bike lane. They try to drive as close as they can to you.

I have to depend on my moped for work now, just like everyone else. Please give us some room and respect.