PUBLIC MONEY

DO LEGISLATORS CONSIDER WHAT IS BEST FOR ISLES?

Two headlines from the April 28 issue of The Advertiser — "Tax Relief to total $50 million" and "$25M to save Kukui Gardens."

So, we may get a pittance back from the state now in the form of tax relief, but at the same time we will be obligating ourselves to paying off this long-term debt of $25 million plus an additional $26 million to be appropriated next year.

This will be financed at an interest rate as high as 4.7 percent over the next 30 years. How much will each Hawai'i taxpayer have to pay over this time period? Very likely much more than the $70 to $160 tax relief noted in your Advertiser article.

Why couldn't our legislators just use the $50 million for Kukui Gardens? Do our legislators really think about what is best for the people of Hawai'i? Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing? All this, of course, comes on top of voting to give public unions more control over government's day-to-day operations. Who is running the show? Who is in charge of how our public money is spent?

It is so trite to talk about the Hawai'i taxpayers' burden, especially since so few people seem to care about it.

There will come a day when, with the state and city and county fees and taxes rising, the burden will become too much.

LARRY PRICE

LONGTIME LISTENER DISTURBED BY COMMENT

As a longtime listener to KSSK's Morning Show, I was disturbed by Larry Price's bigoted comments to Sen. Gary Hooser during the show on May 4.

Personally attacking a Hawai'i resident and elected official over the color of his eyes and the fact that he was born on the Mainland is unacceptable. Although my eyes are not blue, I, too, was born on the Mainland but have lived in Hawai'i for nearly a decade.

In addition to the beauty of Hawai'i, I love the cultural diversity of this state and don't believe Larry Price's comments are shared by the locals here.

Michael Perry's comments following Larry Price's apology on Monday's show on May 7 exemplify ignorance.

There was a need to apologize, and KSSK has lost me as a listener as long as Perry and Price remain on the air.

Any on-air personality who perpetuates stereotyping and bigotry is someone I won't listen to.

I appreciate KSSK general manager Chuck Cotton's apology for Price's comments; unfortunately, that's not enough for me to return to KSSK as a faithful listener.

SOME OF ISLES' ALOHA LOST IN KSSK INCIDENT

I'm very disappointed in Larry Price's on-air antics last week.

It's just more of the us vs. them mentality. We are a military family of 27 years and felt that we were a part of the community here on O'ahu.

Evidently, people like Mr. Price don't believe so, and "don't care" if we know it or not.

You can add me to the list of people who won't be listening to KSSK anymore.

One of the reasons that we liked Hawai'i in the first place was its warm aloha and open arms, and, now, I have lost a little bit of that love.

DALAI LAMA VISIT

ISN'T THERE SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH STATE?

As I read your story (April 22) about the Dalai Lama visiting Maui, I was taken aback by the idea of busing 1,000 kids from 34 public and private schools to listen to his spiritual word.

Where was the outcry and objection from the ACLU? Does the "wall" of separation between church and state only exist between Christianity and democracy?

I am not against his efforts to promote world peace. I believe his charge is exemplary. It just never ceases to amaze me how some people can "selectively" justify protecting children from one form of spiritual message (Christianity) and yet have no problem supporting the efforts of our state Department of Education to bring spiritual awareness from the Dalai Lama.

Would the ACLU embrace such a visit by the pope? Would parents all over Maui celebrate his arrival without restraint? I would hope so.

In the wake of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, many people on TV and radio talk shows asked, "Where is God in a moment like this?"

Thanks to the continuing efforts by the ACLU and our U.S. Supreme Court, God is not allowed on campus anymore.

DRUG TESTING

PROTECTING CHILDREN OF HAWAI'I NOT SHAMEFUL

This is in response to Mel McKeague's letter (May 5) regarding his opposition to random drug testing for Hawai'i's teachers.

As a seventh-grade student and a military child, I am appalled you would suggest that asking teachers to take part in random drug tests is un-American.

My father has served in the U.S. Navy for more than 16 years. All military service members (including my dad) are subject to random drug testing, regardless of rank. This policy helps ensure that the U.S. remains "the land of the free and home of the brave."

Many people in many noble professions participate in drug testing. The only shame these tests bring is to those whose drug abuse has been exposed.

People who use illegal drugs do not belong in our schools.

Unless you have something to hide, there is no downside to the testing.

I know I would be very upset if I came to class one day and my teacher was high on drugs.

There is no shame in protecting the children of Hawai'i.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

NEED BETTER EDUCATION ON CROSSING SIGNALS

I read the article "Crossing signals getting upgrade" (April 27) with interest.

Have you noticed countdown signals seem to encourage people to cross while the hand is flashing? I think it's because people aren't aware that they can get a ticket for stepping into the crosswalk while the hand is flashing. Many assume it's only if you cross while the hand is solid that you'll get a ticket. Better pedestrian education is needed.

Also, the walk signal should be modified so that it is longer. It switches from "walk" to "don't walk" too quickly.

SUSTAINABILITY

KOKUBUN DIDN'T LISTEN IN YOUNG CONFIRMATION

Sen. Russell Kokubun's recent commentary ("Sustainability panel seeking a 'people's plan,' " April 27) was ill-timed, inappropriate and irresponsible.

How does Kokubun have the nerve to talk about seeking community input on sustainability when he ignored 95 percent of the testimony (more than 500 people) at Peter Young's confirmation for the Department of Land and Natural Resources?

The individuals and organizations leading our community's efforts toward sustainability provided Kokubun with overwhelming evidence that Young has been implementing what Kokubun is claiming to seek. Kokubun says he wants people's input, but he gave all of us a deaf ear.

People were impressed with the positive changes and real community processes initiated under Young's leadership.

Kokubun didn't listen to us when we said the state needs Young to lead the most important department to address our sustainability issues; why should we believe he wants to listen to us now?

Sustainability is important to all of us, so is real public participation.

But we need people who will walk the talk.

SB 1642

ASSURES CONTINUATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES

A lot has been printed about the veto and override on SB 1642.

We worked hard to get the word out about this bill because we believed, based on past experience, that it would hurt essential public services, may lead to costly litigation and may hamper common-sense government.

Through this process, however, we have heard repeatedly from legislators and union leaders that the bill will not interfere with essential public services or public health and safety.

It was even reported in your newspaper that a union leader indicated that the decision to transfer workers (which started all of this) was the right decision, that government has the right to transfer workers and that the "bill would not in any way overturn anything that was done in UPW v. Hannemann."

These statements are good news to us, and based on them, we look forward to moving ahead and, together with our employees and their unions, continuing to ensure the expeditious and efficient delivery of essential public services.

The taxpayers deserve nothing less.

RESEARCH FACILITY

UH BUDGET SHORTFALL ALSO AFFECTING LIBRARY

No soap in the University of Hawai'i-Manoa locker room showers makes front-page news.

Meanwhile, where is the reporting on other effects of the $7 million UH budget shortfall for 2007?

Due to its own $1 million shortage, the library has stopped ordering books and is canceling series subscriptions.

Such a step creates long-term disaster for any research institution — and UH is the only one within 2,300 miles.

It took years to recover from a similar disaster following the state budget crises of the '90s.

But now we supposedly have a state budget surplus.

I'm sure the people of Hawai'i would be outraged at this situation — if it was regularly covered by the news media.

Then the Legislature and governor would be forced to respond in the way it counts: by increasing the UH budget to at least keep up with inflation (the current budget has been unchanged for several years).