Liquor Commission officials should quit

A wise man once said "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Wallace Weatherwax has been administrator of the Honolulu Liquor Commission for seven years, and John Carroll has been the agency chief investigator for 36 years. When asked if they planned to resign after a recent audit report described the commission's management as "inadequate," they responded that they had no intention of doing so and insisted that they were part of the solution and looked forward to implementing the audit report's recommendations.

But the report also pointed out that in 1988, another management and financial audit was conducted that identified problems that warranted immediate attention back then. The report went on to say that it has taken 14 years for the commission to follow up on the earlier recommendations and then only after being pressured by former managing director Ben Lee.

Weatherwax and Carroll have presided over the city's most corrupt and mismanaged liquor commission ever and it is time for these two men to go.

Boys' ball games emptying the wallet

To the woman complaining about her son's ILH baseball game fees: Thank your lucky stars your son doesn't play football and basketball, too. I had two nephews playing all three sports. I can't afford to go to all their games; it's sad.

And heaven forbid they make it to the playoffs; the price gets even higher.

Something needs to be done — immediately. Maybe if more parents and family members voice their opinions, something may be done.

Akaka bill passage could boomerang

Thanks for an interesting report on the Akaka bill last Sunday. After reading it, I had more questions than answers.

From what little information exists, if the Akaka bill passes, and isn't rejected by the Supreme Court, the likely ramifications of setting up a quasi-government here that's based on race seems more dangerous than valuable.

Why? Celebrating diversity is fine, but carving out benefits for some at the expense of others is always risky. And it's likely that it will make many in our multicultural, multiracial state less cordial, less respectful, indeed, less happy than now.

Parents must ensure safety precautions

I am a mother of two children, ages 7 and 10. As a parent and also an early childhood educator, I was very disappointed to see the photograph on page B6 of the April 11 issue, titled "Practice makes perfect." While it is always nice to see children at play, it is very disturbing to see that you chose to print a picture of a child skateboarding while he is not wearing a helmet or protective body gear.

This picture and chosen title send out a very poor message. As a parent, I would never allow my children on a skateboard, on a bicycle or to participate in any form of sport without the proper safety precautions. All it takes is one fall or an injury to dramatically alter the quality of human life for the worse. As a parent, I hope that we would always make the right choices to help protect our children.

Children are our future, and parents owe them the opportunity to live a safe and productive life.

Police must better combat speeding

I can't drive on the H-1 Freeway from Pearl Harbor to Makakilo to or fro without having at least a dozen cars pass me on the left and right going so fast that they're almost flying. I am driving 55 to 60, and when they pass me, they must be going 70 to 90 mph.

Please note that this letter is not about bringing back those stupid van cams. I am not complaining about cars that are only going a few miles over the speed limit; this is about dangerous, reckless, excessive speeding — drivers going 10 to 30 mph or more over the speed limit.

While driving on the freeway, I rarely see a police car. The Police Department needs to get into some unmarked cars and take a drive to see this speeding problem. Is there a law that prohibits unmarked police vehicles from observing and ticketing an excessively speeding driver? We have already paid for police protection; we need some action.

Lingle's proposed UH tuition aid must pass

While it's understandable that the University of Hawai'i has to face economic realities and must consider increasing tuition to pay for rising costs, it doesn't make the situation any easier for many students and their families who are striving to reach their higher-education goals.

One thing that would ease the financial burden for many students is Gov. Lingle's proposal to allocate $20 million for a UH scholarship fund to help students who truly need tuition assistance. Unfortunately, for reasons yet to be explained, the Senate majority saw fit to cut this badly needed funding for higher-education scholarships out of the governor's budget.

This scholarship money would help thousands of Island students, including many Native Hawaiians, to get a quality college education here at UH and eventually find a good-paying job. Students could apply for these scholarships, which would be awarded on a needs basis.

The governor's proposed scholarship fund is a smart investment in the future of Hawai'i's young people. It's unfortunate the Senate does not want to help all students get a higher education.

The Legislature should restore the $20 million UH scholarship money to the budget and send a message to students who are struggling to get by that the state of Hawai'i cares about their future and their education.

How can DOE not support substitutes?

I'm one of the lucky substitute teachers. Most of the teachers I cover for leave lesson plans, seating charts and behavior plans in place. Still, it is not an easy job.

One hundred twenty or more high school students are in my charge under varying conditions every day. I can handle that.

What I can't handle is the lack of support, even disregard, from the very entity that should be supporting us the most, the Department of Education.

Subs are an independent lot. It takes quite a bit of injustice for us to finally speak with one voice. Thanks to those who are hearing us.

Unleash bounty hunter

Is it possible that there is a very simple solution to controlling the coqui frog problem on the Big Island? How about a bounty of 50 cents to a dollar a piece on the noisy invaders? I would imagine every kid, and maybe even adults, would be out there searching for the little guys. Bring the frogs into a central disposal spot, count them and hand out the bounty money. Sound too simple? I know it isn't the government way.