Roy's Restaurant provided special treat

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Roy's Restaurant in Hawai'i Kai celebrated its 15th anniversary at Kapi'olani Community College, which included a benefit for the Tom and Warren Matsuda Culinary Scholarship Fund.

When I was informed of this special event, I was speechless. I couldn't believe what was being planned. Special guest chefs and winemakers, complementary etched wine glasses for the walk-around, a tile with a picture of an ulua and an 'omilu for the corporate tables, and posters. Unbelievable!

I couldn't imagine how they were going to put this all together. But, they did, and what a magnificent and truly unforgettable evening it was. From the delectable cuisine to the extraordinary-tasting wines and professional service from Roy's crew and friends, it was definitely an evening to remember.

To Mr. Yamaguchi, your staff and crew, and special friends, I would like to express how grateful I am that you chose your 15th anniversary to honor my late husband, Tom, and late son, Warren. The Roy's staff and crew truly know what "'ohana" is; you have kept Tom and Warren in your hearts, as I will keep you and your staff in mine.

Coverage in Iraq is truly appreciated

We have a son, Master Sgt. Richard S. Miles, who was just this past week deployed to Iraq. He is with the group with whom your writer William Cole and photographer Richard Ambo are traveling. My husband is retired military (Air Force, 25 years), so we understand assignments in dangerous areas; but when it is one's son, the worry is intensified.

To make a long story short, I just want to thank you so much for your two men who are making us at home feel so much closer to our loved ones through the postcards and photos. What a truly unselfish and loving thing to do for the families of our wonderful men and women in uniform.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Solve the problem in Downtown area

Couldn't Port-A-Potties be placed in areas where public urination and defecation is a problem?

Beware Christianity fusing with politics

Make no mistake about it: Our present form of government is under attack from right-wing fundamentalists who desire to turn our country into a Bible-based theocracy by fusing Christianity with politics (James Roller, Letters, March 1).

The simple fact of the matter is that Roller, and others of his ilk, applaud Bush's end-around court appointments because those appointments substantiate their religious viewpoints, yet decry any judge who interprets the Constitution to be the expanding and inclusive body of law that it has become.

If Roller's arguments are to be followed to their logical conclusion, then none of the civil rights victories that have been won over the last 228 years would stand: Only white, property-owning males would have any say in our government whatsoever.ÊÊÊ

Right-wing fundamentalists believe that they've found an issue in same-sex marriage; however, the American public won't be fooled by their transparency.

Take advantage of drug company programs

It's a mystery to me why more people are not participating in the patient-assistance programs offered by the pharmaceutical companies on the Mainland. Those free prescription-drug programs, open to all who are qualified, have been in place for many years; but not many people know of their existence. They need to be told.

Our two major local dailies had several articles printed on the plight of people here who have difficulties paying for their medications because of the high costs. I wonder if you readers saw it.

There are organizations here in Honolulu that can help people get those medications by doing the initial and follow-up paperwork. Find out the names and telephone numbers and call them to see if you are qualified.

The savings are tremendous and the effort worthwhile. Do it today.

Bill to force landlords to allow pets a bad idea

"Senate bill would force landlords to allow pets" ... what next? That story by Gordon Pang on Feb. 26 really disturbed me.

I am a homeowner who has pets, and I am a previous landlord. I've had renters violate their rental agreement and lie about their pets. Who's going to protect the landlord/homeowner?

The landlord/homeowner pays for the home insurance. If his renters' dog bites someone, the homeowner risks losing his home insurance and possibly his house (if sued). Also, the landlord/homeowner ends up paying for the maintenance, cleaning and damages that are left behind.

What if the landlord/homeowner is allergic to pet fur or ticks and fleas? How can they inspect, clean and turn over the unit without getting sick themselves?

Why doesn't the state build a pet-friendly housing complex itself? I guess it doesn't want the liability or responsibility either.

Equal protection means protection for gays, too

I don't know where James Roller got the quote that started his March 1 letter in The Advertiser, but the fundamental principles of our Constitution are freedom and justice.

The "will of the majority" all too often becomes the tyranny of the majority when it comes to civil rights issues. As is said over and over again in letters published in the paper, African Americans and women would still be property of white men without the right to own property or vote if it were left to the "will of the majority."

As long as our state and federal constitutions state that all citizens are entitled to equal rights, those rights must apply to gay and lesbian Americans as well. The "constitutional amendment" passed in Hawai'i is in direct conflict with the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution and will eventually be rescinded. It must be overturned unless the equal protection clause is removed from the Constitution.

You may not like the idea of "gay marriage," but you don't have to. Just face the inevitable fact that it will happen.

The Constitution promises me the same rights that the rest of you have, but right now unjust laws are denying me those rights. I will not stop the fight for equality until I have those rights or the Constitution is entirely overturned by those who cannot handle the idea of justice for people they don't like.

Priorities screwed up

I see the Colts' Peyton Manning reached a $99 million-plus deal. Hawai'i teachers will not even receive a cost-of-living pay increase, which would cost much less than that.

I think our priorities are screwed up.

Other Hawai'i animals need protecting, too

I was astounded by a March 3 letter opposing a bill that would grant federal agencies the ability to control feral animals such as goats and deer from aircraft. It began with the statement, "Just when it looked as if it couldn't get any worse for Hawai'i's animals ..."

Which of Hawai'i's animals is Barbara Ikeda talking about?

Does she mean that things couldn't get worse for the 'i'iwi, 'apapane or the palila?

After all, these are truly Hawai'i's animals. Their ancestors arrived in Hawai'i and prospered in these isolated Islands long before humans arrived.

The introduction of goats, sheep, deer and European pigs by humans has directly endangered not only Hawai'i's native birds, but also native insects, plants and watershed systems.

We do a disservice to native species by first introducing invasive pests, then by protecting them and allowing them free reign across Hawai'i.

As a resident of Hawai'i, I choose to care about and protect Hawai'i's native animals and the ecosystems they need in order to survive and prosper, and everyone should choose to protect the watersheds we all share.

Legislators are taking aim at us

By any chance, have you noticed what is going on at the state Legislature this year? If not, here is an overview.

Through bills introduced in the state House of Representatives and in the state Senate, our elected officials are attempting to place an increased financial burden on the taxpayers of Hawai'i and on people who own their own businesses.

• House Bills 2697 and 2699: These two pieces of legislation, if passed, would force you to pay the paycheck of those who decide to go on strike by way of extended unemployment benefits. House Bill 2701 restricts business owners from employing non-residents in this case.

These three pieces of legislation not only abuse your bank accounts, but if passed into law, they say to the legislators, and to all employees belonging to any union, "If you can get away with this, just think what else you can get away with! It's a free ride at the taxpayer's expense!"

• Senate Bill 3233 places the burden of anyone's drug problems directly on the back of his or her employer. If you have a drug problem, not to worry. Under this bill, your employer would not only be forced to provide you with drug counseling, at the employer's expense, but if the employer doesn't acquiesce, he or she could be charged with a crime, and face a possible fine of $10,000 and one year imprisonment.

In other words, don't worry about taking responsibility for your own decisions and actions. Someone else will be forced to pay the price of your stupidity. Provisions under other introduced measures could do the same for the obese employee, for the employee who smokes.

• If passed, Senate Bill 2675 would force property owners who rent out their houses or apartments to allow renters the privilege of having pets. Yes, this is a privilege, but our legislators want to make it an obligation by fiat, under threat of sanctions against the property owner, enforced by the state.

Does this bill hold the senators liable for the dangerous actions of said pets while the pets are on the home or apartment owner's property?

Does this bill hold the renter responsible for damage to the rented property or to potential victims?

Does it protect property owners against any civil or criminal liability caused by the actions of said renter's pet(s)?

Is this freedom as outlined in the United States Constitution? Or, is it the will of the leaders of a Third World dictatorship? Are we now to allow our elected officials to dictate every action of our lives?

Oh, and by the way, without literacy, there is no education. Without education there is no democracy. Is this what our legislators intend for Hawai'i?