VOTING

EDUCATED ELECTORATE MEANS BETTER RESULTS

I would like to comment on Bill Pfeil's comment about educated voters (Letter, Sept. 19).

He has brought up a very good point. If people took more interest in the issues and did some research, they may get some people in office that could do some good for them.

LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITIES MUST BE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES

Families and households need affordable communities, not just affordable housing.

Affordable communities allow working families to have money and time that allow for self-sufficiency (food, education, mental and physical health, shelter), civic engagement (political participation not just voting, charity in times of disasters and protection of the helpless anywhere) and growth ( enjoyment of our youth and diversity, local and global environment, careers and retirements).

Affordable communities require leaders who build on positive things from the past, take care of the present and lay out a sound foundation for the future.

Affordable communities require leaders who can inspire through their moral compass, political savvy, thoughtfulness, positive attitude and aloha, and demonstrated action.

GET INVOLVED

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO O'AHU HOMELESSNESS

This is in response to the Sept. 22 letter from Kathy Novak regarding shelters.

Instead of simply providing something for you to read that may still leave you with questions, you are invited to experience first-hand the success and investment you have made in the shelters.

Stop by the Kaka'ako "Next Step Project." We are always looking for an extra set of helpful hands. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, being there will easily answer all of your questions.

The shelter opens daily at 5:30 p.m.; when are you available? All of the staff and volunteers who work there are clearly aware of the impact their efforts have, especially when dealing with almost 100 children. Right now, the only case management some of the residents need is help with their algebra homework.

While at the shelter, you will have the opportunity to talk and interact directly with the adults and children your personal investment is helping, and you will hear first-hand how it is impacting their lives.

It will also provide the opportunity for clarity on the common misconception about the need for "rehab," as many of the homeless are children, or stable and employed full time. They simply don't make enough to pay for the high rents and expenses here in paradise.

And you are absolutely correct, you have a right to the plan. The best way is to get involved. That way you see first-hand what the real issues and needed solutions are. Who knows? You might be helping future doctors, scientists and math scholars.

Finally, Nov. 15, 16 and 17 is part of homeless awareness week, and there will be a lot of information will be available from the hosted programs and conferences.

NOT IN 'SHADOW'

AIONA HAS EMERGED AS TRUE LINGLE PARTNER

In response to David Shapiro's Sept. 20 column regarding Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona operating in the shadow of Governor Lingle, it is my opinion Duke Aiona has been the most active lieutenant governor Hawai'i has ever had.

His activity on the control of drugs throughout our state is showing material signs of success today. I have seen Duke actively take the lead and also with Governor Lingle in social service programs, health initiatives and law enforcement efforts in our islands. I don't recall any other lieutenant governor with the breadth of responsibilities as he had this past term.

Thanks to Governor Lingle for partnering with Aiona. Duke has demonstrated his abilities to do the job.

MORE MUST VOTE

ISLES GAIN FROM MOVE TO TWO-PARTY SYSTEM

The results of the 2006 primary and general election will indicate how much further along Hawai'i is in positive change.

A major event in that process was the election of Linda Lingle as governor. Hawai'i had become a one-party state, with all its ills: corruption, cronynism, influence peddling. With the governor's election, a change to a two-party system began. A stronger GOP would be a check on the arrogance of one-party rule.

In the Democratic party itself, younger and independent-minded leaders emerged to challenge the old-guard organization. Leaders like Matsunaga, Case, Schatz and Ihara are shaking up their party and fighting to return it to its roots of the 1950s and 1960s.

If the people of Hawai'i want this change to continue, they have a major role to play. More of them have to vote.

SMOKING OUTSIDE

NEW LAW WILL DEPRIVE TAXPAYERS OF RIGHTS

I am writing in regards to the new smoking law that will begin in November, and on behalf of all the smokers of Hawai'i.

I agree that we should not smoke in buildings, but what is wrong with smoking outside?

It seems that we're being pushed farther and farther away from our jobs to have a cigarette.

When you go out to have a nice evening dinner and then listen to entertainment, you still can't have a cigarette unless you are outside and away from the building. I feel like an animal being thrown outside the house to live!

Where are our rights as human beings? We pay our taxes, just like any nonsmoker; yet we are forgotten and shunned. Why?

Just because we hold a cigarette in our hands does not make us a lesser person than a nonsmoker. We're human beings, too — not animals!

UNIMAGINABLE

LET'S NOT LOSE ESTATE

I can readily imagine Maui without its present configuration of Front Street. I cannot imagine what it would be like if the Walker Estate in Honolulu is demolished.

The state and the city need to make sure that this never happens, at all cost.

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

STATE SHOULD MANDATE TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT

I was deeply troubled by a recent article forecasting 60,000 new homes on O'ahu. I was saddened by an article in yesterday's paper about how poorly local tech companies are doing. It seems to me that Hawai'i's greatest opportunity and greatest need is in the area of sustainable development.

Why not require that every new home built in Hawai'i is able to generate its own renewable energy? Why not require that every new home has some kind of rain catchment or water conservation system?

What if the state said that every new housing development required a new agricultural development to help feed the folks living in these new homes?

Perhaps such mandates from the state would result in greater investment in, and development of, new technologies.

Rethinking the hows and whys of development doesn't have to result in lost jobs and a slowed economy. Hawai'i has an opportunity to lead the world in sustainable development and technology. Let's say "yes" to this amazing opportunity.