Letters to the Editor

Kick out the legislators who delayed price cap

Do my eyes deceive me? Are gas prices in Hawai'i going up every week?

To pay more than $2 a gallon for regular gasoline is outrageous. Hawai'i needs to put in place a gas price cap soon.

It upsets me to see our government officials postpone the gas cap a year when it was supposed to take effect this year. Now gas companies will raise their prices higher than ever so they can make more money.

The time has come to elect officials who have no ties to big business or unions. It's time to take back what belongs to the people: our government.

Religious exemption was essential in bill

Chris Kuhn (Letters, May 11) argues that the gay housing bill should have been enacted because it prohibited discrimination. But, if he truly is against discrimination in all its forms, why did he say, "I'd actually prefer it if it were illegal to have 'deeply held religious beliefs.' "? Can we trust the views of someone who holds the First Amendment in such contempt?

Real people would have been hurt by this poorly thought-out bill. For example, BYU-Hawai'i (and its subsidiary, the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is largely staffed by BYUH students) attracts a largely Mormon student body and is run in accordance with the beliefs of that faith. Parents send their children there because they want them to attend school in a wholesome environment — a school free of alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs; a school where the students are chaste and modestly dressed; a school where the high standards demanded by their faith are adhered to by all the students as a condition of attending.

Obviously, Mormon parents would have thought twice about enrolling their children at BYUH if an egregious breach of their faith was foisted upon them — they would send their children to BYU in Utah instead. And if enrollment took a hit, many people in La'ie and surrounding communities would have lost their jobs.

Clearly, without appropriate religious exemptions, the gay housing bill would have created more discrimination, not less. Good legislation balances the rights of all residents, not just one special-interest group. The gay housing bill failed that basic test of fairness.

'American Idols' would be well-received here

When the "American Idol" summer tour performers come to Hawai'i, they would have to do at least two tours — one to Maui, Camile's island, and the other to O'ahu, right?

Maui also has that nice performing arts center.

I enjoyed last season's ensemble and think they should also come to Honolulu to do one show. Also, Ruben needs to come to Honolulu to do some of his ballads. And Clay, Kimberley, Tamyra and Christina should also do a show here as they were great during their televised Christmas special.

In Honolulu, there could be a show at the arena and another at the concert hall.

So, it seems there should be at least five concert dates and at least three different shows in Hawai'i. The hard-working performers could also then take some vacation time on Kaua'i and the Big Island.

As the No. 1 show on TV, "American Idol" has the revenues to support a trip to Hawai'i with all the trimmings. Clay could visit some special schools and the Idols could also make appearances at the malls and high schools.

This could also serve as footage for next season's auditions, which I heard were also being planned in Honolulu.

Guards well-trained, disciplined and humane

Here at the Waiawa Correctional Facility, inmates are fortunate to have a staff of corrections officers who are well-trained, disciplined and humane.

The measure of a great administrator is in the people he surrounds himself with. Our warden, Ted Sakai, has selected well with our chief of security, Capt. Hoffman, and he with the men under his command.

I have never seen a guard here conduct himself in anything but a professional manner.

Prison life can be very trying on us inmates, especially those of us with addiction and mental health issues. I cannot count how many times a guard has lifted me from despair with a welcome handshake, a broad smile and often an encouraging word.

I know that odds are there are a few bad apples in the Department of Public Safety. Wherever they are, they do not last long and they are not here at Waiawa.

Good till the last drop

Will someone please invent a coffee mug that will keep coffee hot till the last drop?