COOPERATE

COMMUNITY MUST DO ITS PART IN RECYCLING

Why do we think that government has to do everything for us?

Within two miles of my house in two directions are large recycling bins at schools. We keep boxes in the garage, and when the boxes fill up, we throw them in the car and take them to a school. No harder than saving things in bins and hustling big containers in and out. We drop off the 5-cent containers on Saturdays at Kailua High School for its grad programs.

There are lots of charitable areas where you can do that. People who don't drive could ask family or a neighbor to take stuff for them, and condos could set up bins and the maintenance staff could take it. Boy Scouts or service organizations could help out.

If we could all just decide to be part of the solution instead of the problem, the city government could use its funds for other areas.

COST OF LIVING

WHY ALL THE WHINE ABOUT GAS PRICES?

What's the big deal about the yoyo gas prices? Why complain of gas prices being too expensive? Many people spend more money every week on cigarettes, beer, groceries and entertainment. Gas prices are no different.

Many are very vocal about the high cost of gasoline, yet well over 90 percent of motorists continue to exceed the posted speed limit on the freeway, not caring that they burn more fuel by driving at a higher rate of speed. Yes, Lana'i's prices have gone over $4 a gallon, but remember, they don't have far to drive, and a tankful of gas goes a long way on a small island.

WELFARE

SOCIAL SECURITY JUST A PYRAMID SCHEME

In her Aug. 12 commentary on Social Security, AARP director Barbara Kim Stanton mentioned that there are "those who are proposing to create private accounts funded by money drained from the Social Security system."

What she neglects to tell you is that, by far, most of the Social Security money that the elderly are living off is that of younger people.

What Ms. Stanton objects to is the cutback of redistribution from working citizens to those over age 65. The liberal AARP is against allowing today's workers the freedom to keep more of their money to build their own retirement account. Because then, the AARP's collectivist pyramid scheme, known as Social Security, will come crashing down, thus revealing its inherent fraud.

Yes, Social Security was a promise made by a politician (the quasi-socialist Franklin Roosevelt). But it is neither right nor constitutional. Americans who are against privatization (a capitalistic term) must be told the truth — that Social Security is now just a corrupt welfare program that undermines freedom-based self-responsibility. That liberalism is the road to socialism; and that socialism is slavery.

UARC

'SECRET' RESEARCH IS BEING OVERBLOWN

I agree that there's some inconsistency with "secret" research to a commitment to higher education, but keeping quiet certain scientific discoveries that might help one's enemies and competitors doesn't scale up to violating intellectual freedom in any major way.

Further, the idea that this (or other scientific research) impinges on academic freedom doesn't neatly compute.

It's easier to calculate that since UARC (university affiliated research center) lies outside parts of the current university hierarchy, vested interests who aren't being nurtured by it could see it a threat. But that doesn't factor much into my bottom line: My taxes support UH, and I'm quite happy another entity wants to pitch in and support our beloved institution, especially one that has our national security as its core value.

RULE ENFORCEMENT

TV'S GOLF COVERAGE HAS SUBVERTED GAME

The issue of Michelle Wie's disqualification reflects a problem that the professional golf tours have brought upon themselves by allowing television viewers to call in to report suspected rules violations and, if found to be correct, disciplining the players involved.

The problem with that is that it subverts the spirit of golf's rules themselves and, more importantly, creates an uneven enforcement of the rules.

The subverted spirit is that the competitor, then the competitor's playing partner and then the marshals are supposed to be the watchdogs of rule violations — not spectators.

More importantly, uneven enforcement is created because not all players are on camera at all times. Players who are, say, in 15th place and thus not shown on TV might make any number of undetected rule violations and not be called on them, while the leaders who are on camera constantly would be held to a tougher standard.

Further, as a practical matter, the no-closer-to-the-hole drop rule that Wie evidently violated by 12 inches is impossible to enforce fairly. To do so would mean that every drop must be tape-measured before taking the next shot.

Welcome to the 100-hour single round of professional golf.

HECO ERROR

BEWARE OF BIG JUMPS IN YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

Please be advised, anyone who has had a significant increase in their electric bill from HECO should call the company to recheck your meter.

Two months ago, our bill was the highest we have ever had. I diligently began to turn everything off when not in use. I even went without AC until it became unbearable, usually around 2 to 4 p.m. daily. Consequently, I expected a somewhat reduced electric bill this month. Imagine my shock when this month's bill was higher by more than $50.

I called them, almost in tears, and told them, "There must be a mistake." HECO said it would recheck my meter, and last week it called to say, "Your bill was incorrect." My husband warned me it might even be incorrect the wrong way, but I held on to hope. HECO had made a mistake by more than 300 kilowatt hours, and my new revised bill was $90 lower.

So please check your electric bill, and if there is a big change in the bill, call HECO to come and recheck your meter.

LAW SCHOOL

UNEXPECTED GIFT MAKES PLIGHT A LITTLE EASIER

I am currently in Utah for law school. Imagine my surprise in receiving three small containers of kalua pork, two bags of laulau and two kimchee sausages in the mail from a man I barely know.

I was a regular "browser" at his store during my lunch hour. I remember our conversations were limited to product performance and durability. (It's a popular golf shop in downtown Honolulu.) I do remember once, though, mentioning my plight. I would soon be leaving my beloved Hawai'i in pursuit of a law degree.

Needless to say, my quest has been difficult. However, after this act of kindness toward my wife, four keiki and me from someone who had nothing to gain in any way, I say with all the aloha I can muster, a fond mahalo nui loa to Keith Tanaka of Roots and Relics for his thoughtfulness, and that I'm forever thankful.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

CEMETERY, THEATER CLEANUP APPRECIATED

I would like to congratulate all volunteers who worked so hard on Saturday at the Manoa Valley Theatre to clean up the theater and the historic cemetery there as part of the Make A Difference Day program.

More than 100 people of all ages donated their time and energy to clear out the badly overgrown areas of the graveyard and individual gravesites. Several private companies donated tree-chipping services, food, new plants and other things to support the project, which also brought out a number of family members with ancestors buried in the site.

I have been working on historic cemetery cleanup projects like this for over 20 years, and this was definitely the most remarkable one-day renovations I have ever seen.

Mahalo nui to The Honolulu Advertiser, Manoa Valley Theatre and Kawaiaha'o Church (the owner of the property) for bringing together all of the people and resources that truly made a difference at this important historic site.