LEGISLATURE

VOTERS BEAR THE BLAME FOR OUR MANY WOES

The next time you feel the need to complain about your sky-high taxes, bad traffic conditions with no resolution in sight or the terrible conditions of Hawai'i's schools, realize that the blame falls at your feet. You have no one to blame but yourself for the people you have elected, time and time again.

I have been around a lot of places and never have I seen such a one-sided monolithic makeup of a state Legislature. And you are actually surprised when your taxes go up? A Democrat never saw a tax hike he did not like.

These problems have not just come out of nowhere. Thankfully, we are here for only a couple of years.

It is often said that if you keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result, you must be crazy. Either that or you are a Democrat in the state Legislature.

BILL 71

BUS BAN ON CELL-PHONE RINGTONES IS RIDICULOUS

The City Council passed Bill 71, which bans cell-phone ringtones on the bus. It has yet to be signed by the mayor.

The idea of banning cell-phone ringtones on the bus is ridiculous, and is an overreaction to something that is extremely minor.

The bus isn't a library, a classroom or a private space for meditation.

If we ban cell-phone rings, what next? Do we ban all conversations between passengers?

Also, if someone who is in a hurry to go to work (or another appointment) and forgot to put the phone on vibrate, that person will suffer the humiliation of being expelled from the bus.

And that person will suffer just for the sake of petty tyrants who complain about extremely minor issues!

We need to encourage Mayor Mufi Hanneman to veto Bill 71.

PRACTICING PRINCIPLE

LT. WATADA ENGAGED IN PRACTICE OF LIVING ALOHA

Some two dozen of us, mostly people of Hawaiian ancestry, met for lunch with Lt. Ehren Watada and his parents on Dec. 14.

The revelation came not from what he shared with us, but what his mother stated during the talk story. Mrs. Watada stood with her husband and her stepson because, as she stated, she believed that he was doing the "right thing." He stood on principle. And she stood beside him.

Hawaiians can relate to the idea of standing on principles. We stand on the principle of aloha, among others just as valuable. As we have always welcomed others to our land — to share our water, our resources, our sense of kuleana and rightness — we continue to extend those principles to those outside our own ethnic community.

From our point of view, practice is what connects integrity to principle. We try not to talk aloha without practicing it. And while those who immigrated here have mostly been driven by other schemes, some have come to understand and appreciate the beauty of concepts based on sharing and caring and respect for the well-being of others.

This is why Lt. Watada's clear statements against the war in Iraq make sense. Whether he understands or not, he is presently engaged in the practice of aloha. He extends his care and respect to those whose lives are on the line on all sides in a horrible, far-reaching war that impacts thousands: a war that leaves us, to this day, uncertain of the "benefits," if any.

For those Hawai'i residents who sport the "Live Aloha" bumper stickers on their cars, I hope they think about what it means to live aloha. There is no place in that concept that allows for the killing of others and the destruction of their homes and homeland. Hawaiians know how that feels, as we live with the consequences of historical bad actions every day. Nonetheless, we also attempt to overcome that negativity by practicing what makes sense. Lt. Watada's actions, seen in that light, make sense and I support his efforts to live aloha.

VIETNAM WAR ENDED AFTER SUPPORT WAS LOST

After the Tet offensive in Vietnam, morale around the war began a free fall. Soldiers stood in solidarity and defied orders to deploy and to fight. Eventually, politicians couldn't continue a war that they didn't have soldiers to fight, and the quagmire ended.

What we call those troops brave enough to risk a court-martial varies depending on politics, but today we have a new quagmire. Lt. Ehren Watada defied deployment orders to Iraq and faces a court-martial. He volunteered to serve in 2003.

He is the type of troop we must support.

KAMEHAMEHA DECISION

APPLAUD JUDGES WHO SEE PAUAHI'S VISION

For those who believe the Kamehameha Schools' admission policy is unjust due to racial discrimination, visit the campus and take a good look at the student body.

Students of every ethnicity are represented: Caucasian, Asian, African-American, Pacific Islander and every mixture imaginable. The common thread is that as Native Hawaiians they represent a demographic group with the worst statistics in the state.

If the trust were opened to all, it could not serve its focused purpose to improve the lives of citizens most destined for public assistance, unemployment, crime, drug addiction and incarceration.

Not only would the public school system be further strained, but such a decision would prove to be a greater burden on society in general.

I applaud those judges who see Pauahi's vision. And if you don't like it, build your own private school with your own money rather than trying to benefit from someone else's charity.

PROPOSITION 13

GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE

We totally agree with Whitlow Au's letter (Dec. 20), "Hawai'i homeowners need a Proposition 13."

Furthermore, we believe that the government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people" and that we should take the "bull by the horns" with a Proposition 13. It is time the government listens to the people!

SPEEDING

TOUGHER LAWS WILL CUT TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DEATHS

A number of letters have said that ticketing of speeders by the police department has not helped slow traffic deaths.

That conclusion is correct. Ticketing merely brings the matter of speeding to the attention of the one caught speeding.

If we are serious about stopping road carnage, then it is the lawmakers who need to be told how we feel. The laws in place today do nothing to encourage safety, and often encourage disobedience.

If you are caught driving drunk, you immediately become a pedestrian for at least six months. Second time, for at least two years; and if there is a third time, you become a pedestrian for the rest of your life.

If you are caught speeding, you immediately become a pedestrian for at least six months. Second time, for at least one year; and if there is a third time, you are a pedestrian for the rest of your life.

If you are caught driving after any such conviction, the vehicle is forfeited to the county — no matter who the registered owner is.

Pass a few laws like that and the fatalities will all but disappear.

INOUYE

LITTLE REGARD SHOWN FOR HAWAI'I ENVIRONMENT

It was with great disappointment that I read Sen. Dan Inouye's commentary, "Don't fence them in" (Dec. 17).

Following his vote to open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, it is clear how little regard he has for the fragile environments of Hawai'i and Alaska and those who fight to protect them.

The Stryker brigades may be important for national defense, but the impact they would have on Hawai'i's limited space is far greater than on the vastness of the Mainland.

Furthermore, his use of the same scare tactics this administration has used to manipulate us into an unresolvable military and political situation is not what one would hope for in a Democratic senator of his stature.

CITY

THANK TAXPAYERS FOR STRONG REVENUE GROWTH

In a press release on Dec. 19, our mayor took great pride in the just-released Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

In part, the report says the city strengthened its financial position over the previous fiscal year because of strong revenue growth. Revenues rose $124 million to $1.4186 billion for fiscal year 2006, mainly because of increases in real property and other taxes and in sewer revenues.

I rest my case.

GOVERNMENT

WE'RE BEING TAXED AND PRICED OUT OF HAWAI'I

Theproperty-tax increases, high gas prices and a raise in the general excise tax, coupled with higher gas tax come Jan. 1 —how much more can we sacrifice to maintain some sort of quality of life? Not to mention, HECO wants to raise its rates.

Our local government needs to figure out something to stop the hole in our pockets from getting bigger. These raises and increases are going to push locals to find a more affordable place to live. Not to mention, possibly add to the "houseless" population.

Having to pay one of highest prices in the nation for gasoline, milk, cereal or whatever, because of our "geographical isolation, no or little competition, etc." is like kicking people when they're already down. Where's the aloha?

Our local governments need to get a handle on things. The people they work for and represent are being taxed and priced outta Hawai'i.