Letters to the Editor
GREATER NEEDS
STATE TAX REBATE ISN'T ANSWER, GOV. LINGLE
As we move toward the opening of the 2006 legislative session, our state finds itself in the position of having resources to address longstanding needs.
As with any good business, Democrats see an opportunity to reinvest to help strengthen our schools, patch holes in a social safety net tattered by a Republican administration and provide real and meaningful help to working families.
Gov. Lingle, however, reflexively has called for some $300 million in givebacks in a proposal clouded in vagaries and secrecy. While we applaud her concurrence with Democratic initiatives, without specific details we're left asking, once again, "What's the deal?"
We suggest that Gov. Lingle take into consideration her own Economic Momentum Commission's recommendations that the state focus on three main areas: enhancing quality of life, improving education and upgrading infrastructure.
Gov. Lingle states that people need relief now. Relief does not always come in the form of a rebate but in doing things for the greater good.
Brickwood GaluteriaChairman, Democratic Party of Hawai'i
MEMORIAL PARK
PROBE, RELICENSING MUST COME FIRST
James Gonser's article on the Honolulu Memorial Park clarified many issues regarding the cemetery and answered many questions for the plot and niche owners.
I became involved in this issue because plot and niche owners contacted me with concerns about the deterioration of the temple and the bankruptcy of the cemetery. I have learned since then that trying to resolve all the issues at the cemetery can be difficult, complicated, confusing and most of all frustrating. I want to fulfill my promise to the plot and niche owners in trying to bring the cemetery back to normal operations.
Unfortunately, a number of plot and niche owners have decided to use my position as a city councilman as a means to express their frustration. This has only created more frustration and confusion for all plot and niche owners, as well as further delays in obtaining financial solvency and normal cemetery services.
As I see it, two things must occur in order for the cemetery to resume normal operation. First, the state Attorney General's Office must investigate the Honolulu Memorial Association's management of the perpetual care fund, and the perpetual care fund must be audited as required by law.There is currently about $1 million in the perpetual care fund.
Second, the cemetery must be relicensed by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in order to legally begin cemetery operations and services.
I ask the state administration and the plot and niche owners to work together in harmony, not emotionally, to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
Rod TamCouncilman, City Council District VI
SERVICES
PROPERTY TAXES IN HONOLULU ARE A DEAL
Real property taxes in Honolulu are among the lowest in the country, while the services provided by the city are among the best of anywhere I have lived.
Try riding a bus on the Mainland or expecting twice-a-week garbage pickup, not to mention bulky-item pickup. In addition, several cities I have lived in had a hefty tax on personal property.
Where people here are taxed out of their minds is through state income taxes and the pyramided excise tax. Why do people moan and groan over a $60-a-month increase but submit like sheep to the tax hell created by the state? Only in Hawai'i.
Katie DoyleHonolulu
EDUCATION
INTELLIGENT DESIGN IS BEING MISUNDERSTOOD
This is a response to the Jan. 8 editorial discussing intelligent design (I.D.) theory, reflecting several common misconceptions.
I.D. isn't creationism. Creationism is an arbitrary selecting of scientific data to support a particular Biblical interpretation. I.D. relies on empirical study, observing that many known characteristics of design found in human artifacts are also found in biological systems.
I.D. presumes no creed or doctrinal statement, held as reasonable by many scientists and philosophers with no specific religious commitment; church-state separation is not violated in teaching I.D.
Evolution presumes a belief that only natural, undirected explanations of observed phenomena are permitted for scientific consideration. This is a metaphysical prejudice without scientific basis.
If archaeologists and forensic scientists are permitted to infer intelligence as a cause in research, there is no reasonable basis for forbidding the same in biology (imagine the inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone passed off as the result of erosion).
Permitting intelligent design in science education will encourage scientific inquiry, not suppress it.
Justin BergHonolulu
AHUPUA'A
GENEALOGY DETERMINES WHO GETS THE ARTIFACTS
Regarding F.N. Trenchard's Jan. 7 letter, "Only aboriginals can have say on artifacts": The proper claimants of Hawaiian artifacts are the 'ohana who can prove that their family resided in the ahupua'a during the time the artifacts were buried.
If you can prove either by your family genealogical records or from the Royal Patents and Land Commission Awards stemming from the Great Mahele to a specific burial site within an ahupua'a (land division), you and your family are the proper claimants. All other entities have absolutely no claim.
It has nothing to do with political status. U.S. federal courts have no business making decisions in regard to Hawaiian religious traditions.
If you can prove that your genealogy, ku'auhau, connects to the artifacts, then and only then can you be a proper claimant under Hawaiian religious law.
Kanaka maoli claimants also hold the title to the land where the artifacts were buried. That is the reason it has become such a sensitive issue to the U.S. government. To the Hawaiian religion, the 'ohana ku'auhau, process is paramount. Long live the Ho'omana!
Eric Po'ohinaKailua
KAHANA VALLEY
HAWAIIAN CULTURAL CLASSES OPEN TO ALL
The Kahana Valley Cultural Program is run by the residents of the valley. Its goal is to teach anyone who wants to learn about Hawaiian culture and other Polynesian cultures.
We offer instruction on lauhala weaving, Hawaiian games, poi pounding, lei making, etc.
Kahana Valley is called a "living park." What makes the people of Kahana unique is that all the things they teach, they learned growing up.
Take my family, for example. We all know how to weave lauhala, we know many Hawaiian games, can dance ancient and modern hula and many other things. We did not go to classes to learn this. It was passed down from generation to generation.
Brian ShermanKa'a'awa
ROAD RELATED
VEHICLE FEES ARE USED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
David Cabatu wants some answers to the city's hike in motor vehicle registration fees (Letters, Jan. 6). All the money generated by the increase in registration fees is deposited into the city's Highway Fund for exclusive use for specific road-related purposes. They include:
Those are the only valid expenses your motor vehicle taxes may underwrite.
After years of deferred maintenance — as the condition of our roads clearly indicates — the city is playing a game of catch-up to fill potholes and repave streets sorely in need of attention. And the burden of paying for those repairs falls mostly on the shoulders of those who use the streets most: motorists.
Based on our aggressive road construction schedule, we believe these new priorities are now bearing fruit.
Patrick KubotaDeputy director, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, City and County of Honolulu
HAWAIIAN SPORTS
HOTELS, SUPPORT ALA WAI CHALLENGE
The Waikiki Community Center is a refuge to many folks in Waikiki and it needs kokua from the Waikiki visitor industry.
Every year, WCC conducts a wonderful fundraising event entitled the Annual Ala Wai Challenge. This Hawaiian sports challenge attracts hundreds of workers in Waikiki but gets little attention from the visitor industry's management, thus almost no promotion in the hotels and restaurants, which results in very few visitors attending this worthy event.
This is a shame. A common question asked by visitors is: "Where do I find local folks at play?" WCC's 21st annual Ala Wai Challenge coming up this month provides an opportunity for visitors to join local folks at play. Best of all, it is within walking distance from the hotels. The Ala Wai Challenge, ongoing for 20 years, is held in the wonderful Ala Wai Community Park across the Ala Wai Canal from the hotels.
Last year, the park was filled with 24 teams, representing Waikiki's hotels, restaurants and Waikiki community organizations. Each team had 12 athletes to compete in three truly Hawaiian athletic events. Jeff Apaka was in charge and did an outstanding job. Teams had colorful tents crammed with 'ohana entertainment, 'ono food and keiki running and playing. Everywhere you looked was a Kodak moment.
The few visitors who did find their way to this event were there because Jeff sent canoes over to the Waikiki side of the Ala Wai where a crowd had gathered to watch the finish of the quarter-mile canoe sprint. The finish line is at 'Olohana Street and Ala Wai Boulevard. The canoe sprint is a real crowd-pleaser. You can watch the start and see the finish only minutes later. I spoke to some of the visitors who were brought over in the canoes and they told me that this event is what they came to Hawai'i to see and experience.
I can envision a day when visitors will stand on the banks of the Ala Wai with local folks all rooting for their favorite hotel or restaurant to win. This can happen now if the visitor industry helps to get the word out at their hotels and restaurants that the Ala Wai Challenge will be held Jan. 29. A successful event will be a great benefit to the Waikiki Community Center.
Waikiki Beach Activities, a.k.a. "Da Hilton Boyz," led by the Bruhn Brothers, won the canoe races at last year's Ala Wai Challenge, and WBA looks forward to defending its title on the 29th.
Bob HamptonPresident of Waikiki Beach Activities
DURING JANUARY
MEDICAID CLIENTS TRANSITIONING TO MEDICARE TO GET DRUGS FREE
The state Department of Human Services wishes to make clarifications on The Advertiser's Jan. 7 article "Some patients can't get prescription drugs."
DHS is pleased that our decision to contract with the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i is working well to assist our income-eligible Medicaid clients. LASH is helping us to help our Medicaid clients transition to the new federal Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Any Medicaid client experiencing difficulties getting his or her drugs under Medicare Part D should call LASH at (808) 536-4302.
No Medicaid client should have to leave any pharmacy in Hawai'i without getting his or her drugs for free in January. Hawai'i was the first state in the nation to announce a state contingency plan to ensure that all Medicaid clients transitioning to Medicare in January will receive their drugs for free.
On Dec. 23, DHS issued a provider memorandum to all pharmacies in the state of Hawai'i informing them of our commitment to all Medicaid clients that DHS will pay, with state funds, for transitional problems for the month of January resulting from either Medicare or private plan systemic problems. Should there be any problems, pharmacies were instructed to call the Med-QUEST Division at (808) 692-8070 or (808) 692-8074.
Finally, the news article cites problems with the state's new state Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP), also known as "Smooth Transitions," which is intended to cover the co-payments for our Medicaid clients as they transition to the new federal Medicare program for their drugs. Pharmacies are asked to call the ACS PBM Help Desk at 1 (877) 439-0803 if they have problems with their SPAP claims. In no event should pharmacies make our SPAP members pay any co-payments because DHS has assured all pharmacies that we will reimburse them for these co-payments.
DHS is grateful for the strong partnerships we have developed to help us reach our goal of smooth and continuous coverage for our Medicaid clients, and we look forward to moving forward with our partners to help our citizens take full advantage of this new federal program.
Lillian B. KollerDirector, Department of Human Services
