Kobayashi's actions smack of campaigning

It was a relief to see the editors focus on the latest shibai by Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi ("Farm tax changes need reconsideration" editorial, May 29).

Her current actions smack of campaigning for a friend currently in the mayoral election this November. It was no coincidence when Mufi Hannemann testified before the council in support of the current bill and was lobbed a softball question by Kobayashi after he spoke.

Voters will be advised to remember her current campaigning under the guise of her council duties this November. It is also curious how she was budget chair and voted yes on the law she says is so fatally flawed today.

Deterioration of values marks our civilization

Regarding Ms. Carolyn Golojuch's commentary (Letters, June 1) on the movie "Troy" and the manner in which it was received by the young people: Their jovial and flippant attitudes at such carnage is a result of our society's lack of value on human life by the slaughter of millions of children a year through our "civilized" method of abortion.

Our present-day society is no better than the ones of the Roman Empire, the Greco-Turkish empires, or the city-states of Athens or Carthage.

Morals, family values and children are deposited into the dump as easily as taking out the garbage. Our children are exposed to vulgar, mindless and indecent movies, one after another; the music industry sells sex to our children, and parents don't even care. Our society is being attacked by those who feel that their wayward lifestyles are to be forced upon those whose beliefs uphold morality and values.

We are engaged in a great conflict now because, simply, if we didn't do it, who would? The world would still be held hostage by Saddam and the Taliban.

Do homework before panning guidebooks

In response to Robert Wintner's May 26 Letters critique of Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman's best-selling guidebook series, I must start with saying: tsk, tsk, tsk for not doing your homework.

Both Doughty and Friedman have chosen to remain anonymous for reasons of integrity. Their reviews are the most honest of any guidebook and their research is flawless. In fact, they employ a team of researchers who verify every detail and factoid that they write in their books, which are replete with public access trails and beach and snorkel sites that can be accessed without charge.

Their only adversaries or detractors are those on the receiving end of poor reviews or those whose property has public access to beach or river, or, best yet, those who no longer can sell these "free" sites.

So here's the good part, everyone. Guess who Mr. Wintner is? He is none other than Snorkel Bob, and he writes his own guidebook, whose sales I bet aren't doing nearly as well as "The Ultimate Guidebook" series.

Annoying stores going to lose my business

I have often wondered about the peculiar practice of shopkeepers playing loud, annoying music in their stores. I usually avoid those stores, although it's becoming a losing battle. But now I get it — it's a clever marketing ploy!

Recently in the supermarket, the music was so loud and annoying that I couldn't concentrate and was developing a raging headache, so I grabbed the first thing I saw. Wanting to get out of there as fast as possible, I didn't take time to look for the best bargain, I didn't even care. I just wanted to get out of the store before I went mad.

When I got home and found I was unhappy with my purchases, I decided never again to shop at that particular store, or any other store that assaults my senses in this way. If I can't find one that doesn't, I'll shop online. A little peace and quiet in this world are worth it.

'Click It or Ticket' is a nationwide program

Regarding complaints about HPD enforcement of the "Click It or Ticket" program: First, this isn't a Hawai'i-only program; in fact, it is a nationwide program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is being implemented in cities all across the country concurrently, beginning this week.

Judging by the letters to the editor in The Advertiser, you would think that this is only going on in Hawai'i. This isn't something HPD Chief Lee Donohue thought up in a back room to make money for the city.

Before you write letters whining about seat-belt enforcement, take the time to learn about the program you're complaining about.

Hanauma Bay funds should not be raided

Please don't go spear our Hanauma Bay. Talk of a one-time raid on our precious bay's funds is like that of an ex-smoker talking about just one more cigarette.

Hanauma Bay is not a crutch for use by an over-extended government. Rather, Hanauma Bay is a world-recognized example of marine habitat preservation and cooperation, cooperation between ourselves as recreational and scientific users and the wildlife that is often so misused in this world.

Hanauma Bay is not a tourist this or a tourist that, my fellow residents. It is a natural part of our island, our island that should be as beautiful all around as Hanauma Bay is. And it will be so, if awareness is allowed to continue on its present course. This island and its people need Hanauma Bay as a reminder of our gift from the sea, and how fragile our sea really is.

Hanauma Bay is just a start of local and visitor awareness of our unique marine ecosystem. Raiding its resources would ensure that mission will be diminished, and the worldwide spotlight on Hanauma Bay would illuminate not an example of marine conservation but an example of a local government that has lost not only its fiscal way, but its responsibility of stewardship to this island as well.

Officials untrustworthy when money involved

In general, I tend to object to "trust funds" because all government is inherently untrustworthy when it comes to money. A case in point is the current move to raid the Hanauma Bay funds.

If legislators and executives expect the citizens to trust them to do their jobs, then they must earn that trust. Such flagrant violations of agreements and laws is not the way to do so. We see this over and over again in Hawai'i, from negotiating settlements with labor groups and then trying to renege on them because there isn't enough money, to raiding special funds, such as the Hanauma Bay fund. All government entities give us ample reason to distrust promises and intentions.

If there isn't enough money to run the government, be upfront about it and raise taxes and bear the heat that results, or reduce expenses and bear the heat that results from that.

If citizens learn they cannot trust their representatives, they will replace them.

Readers remember Reagan


History will recall this great president

Ronald Reagan proved that cutting taxes and shrinking government would stimulate economic growth and create jobs and opportunity. He proved that big government was the problem, not the solution.

Ronald Reagan challenged the U.S.S.R.'s nuclear missiles in Europe and won the Cold War without starting World War III.

Ronald Reagan told Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall," and now Germany is united.

Ronald Reagan abolished the U.S.S.R. and the Warsaw Pact, removing communism from Europe and Russia without firing a shot.

At every step the critics howled. They called for a "nuclear freeze" and campaigned for "peace." But it was Reagan, not they, who brought peace to Europe.

Any one of these accomplishments would make the presidency of an average President. For all of these accomplishments and more, Reagan will be remembered for centuries as one of America's greatest presidents.

The critics are still howling; they don't know how close they are to being irrelevant.

I see the American economy booming again thanks to another round of tax cuts, and I know Ronald Reagan is still with us.

I see Eastern European countries that privatized their economies and are now so prosperous they can join the European Union, and I know Ronald Reagan is still with us.

I see Iraq free from Saddam Hussein's Stalinist dictatorship, and I know Ronald Reagan is still with us.

Ronald Reagan made us proud to be Americans again. May he rest in peace.

We're paying the price

Ronald Reagan was a very nice man. But, everybody seems to have forgotten that his incredible fiscal mismanagement has saddled us with a gigantic national debt that will be a millstone around the necks of Americans for generations to come. America paid a horrible price for this kind man's affability.

Life was marked by courage, optimism

What sad news of the passing of President Reagan.

Love him or hate him, Reagan was always an optimist and courageous in his final struggle.

There are those out there who will say, "Well, the fall of communism was just a matter of time anyway, and he just happened to be at the right place at the right time." And, of course, there are many who will also point to Iran/Contra and say what a terrible president he was. However, I don't remember the vitriol that there is today in politics. Reagan and Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill could bark at each other all day and talk as two old friends at night.

He was always courageous and optimistic, and we will not see his like again for a long time or maybe ever. May God bless him as he slips the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God.

He served humanity

Ronald Reagan was a real leader of the free world. Aloha 'oe, Ronald Reagan, you served the human race.

I once rode on the monorail at Disneyland with then-Gov. Reagan, who said to me whimsically, "Walt Disney, not Einstein, was the true genius of the 20th century, for peace, not war, is man's destiny."