SENATE RACE

HAWAI'I FORTUNATE AKAKA WILLING TO STAY

As long as Sen. Dan Akaka is willing to serve Hawai'i, I want him in the Senate.

I'm disappointed Rep. Ed Case did not follow Rep. Neil Abercrombie's example - and "learn the ropes," "pay his dues." Ambition is needed, but so is a good "track record," which Rep. Case has failed to achieve.

We're fortunate Dan is willing to stay in Washington.

DEBATE

CASE WON DEBATE, AKAKA SHOWED PASSION

This debate was everything I thought it would be and less.

Rep. Ed Case came out slick, just as we all knew he would, but I was unimpressed.

Although his words were sharp he was very robotic and didn't seem at all sincere. He spoke about seniority and transition and how we don't want to end up like Oregon. This is Hawai'i and we shouldn't be worried about what happened elsewhere.

When the time comes for change the people will make those changes. But, for now the best man for the job is on the job.

Though Sen. Dan Akaka may have appeared to be searching for words at times, did we really expect him to turn into a great debater overnight? No. But he spoke with humility and aloha. He spoke with the genuine passion that he has for our state and and all of its people.

Ed Case does not have that same passion, and without that passion for the people you can't possibly serve the people.

So who won the debate? Probably Case. And he should rejoice, it is probably the only victory he will enjoy anytime soon.

AKAKA'S ANSWERS WERE CLEAR AND COMPLETE

Sen. Dan Akaka clearly won Thursday's debate. He drilled into the substantive issues and gave clear and complete answers.

I found Rep. Ed Case to be uncertain about his positions on topics and somewhat evasive.

AKAKA FUMBLED FOR WORDS, LACKED POISE

Prior to the debate between Rep. Ed Case and Sen. Dan Akaka, I intended to vote for Akaka, mainly because of his desire to bring the troops home from Iraq by July 2007 and his stance against the privatization of Social Security. I even told my husband that no matter how poorly Akaka spoke during the debate, substance would win over style.

Well, little did I expect Akaka to speak so horribly. He fumbled for words and seemed to have an extremely small vocabulary.

I couldn't believe that a former schoolteacher could be so completely devoid of poise and presence. I was embarrassed for him and actually cringed while he spoke. Case, on the other hand, showed he could think on his feet.

The debate changed my mind. I don't want Dan Akaka to represent Hawai'i for another six years. I will vote for Ed Case for senator.

AKAKA EMBODIES VALUES OF ALL HAWAI'I

The clear choice for the people of Hawai'i is without a doubt Sen. Dan Akaka.

The debate made it even clearer as to why Sen. Akaka has been chosen repeatedly to represent Hawai'i in Washington, D.C. Not only does Sen. Akaka have integrity, character, smarts and wit, he also embodies the values of all Hawai'i.

TIME HAS COME FOR AKAKA TO STEP DOWN

I believe we should vote for the person, not the party. I watched with interest the one and only debate Thursday night sponsored by the AARP.

I now understand why Sen. Dan Akaka and his campaign only wanted one debate.

His opening and closing remarks were fragmented and without substance. Answers to questions were not forthcoming.

I have great respect for Akaka. However, after watching his actions and listening to his stumbling, non-responsive answers, there is no doubt in my mind that it is time for him to "step down." Sir, we appreciate all that you have accomplished as our representative, but there comes a time when the reins must be passed. Leave on a high note.

CASE ARTICULATE, LOGICAL, TO THE POINT, CONCISE

I think the debate was hands down a win for Rep. Ed Case. He was articulate, concise, to the point, made sense and was logical.

I learned quite a bit from what he had to say. At least I know where he stands — no inconsistencies

Akaka stumbled, relied on political rhetoric and at the end, I found myself saying "What did he say?" Case made a strong point that I must say I have not given much thought to: a transition, succession plan. Good thing someone is thinking about it. I think Ed Case deserves careful consideration.

FORUM REINFORCED SUPPORT FOR AKAKA

The debate proved that Rep. Ed Case is good at lawyering and speaking in general terms. He speaks of seniority in the negative. Seniority is certainly something that he will never attain with his track record of jumping from position to position.

Sen. Dan Akaka is a sincere and honest man. He has the best interests of Hawai'i's people in mind and has no hidden agenda.

I want a true Democrat in office, not a Republicrat like Case. The debate reinforced my support for Sen. Akaka.

DISPARATE VOTE RECORDS BECAME CLEAR IN DEBATE

Sen. Dan Akaka won the recent debate with Rep. Ed Case. The latter talked about the need for transition. Isn't that the proper concern of the person leaving? It's not for Case to decide the right time for transition.

Akaka never personally maligned Case. But Case attacked Akaka several times "with great respect."

The disparate voting records became very clear. On the war in Iraq, Social Security, the Patriot Act, etc., Akaka voted for and with Hawai'i's people, while Case voted for his special interests.

Not even mentioned was a vote cast by Case in 2005: the only Democrat in Congress to vote for the Hensarling amendment. Had it passed, this amendment would have abolished the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Typically modest, Akaka never mentioned his service in the military, unlike Case, who never served.

CASE HAS SUPPORTED PRESIDENT'S AGENDA

I believe that Rep. Ed Case has set his own agenda for the future of Hawai'i.

He has chosen to follow the Bush administration's policy for the war in Iraq and the Middle East. Billions of dollars are being spent to achieve this policy and it looks like billions more will be spent. The future of our children will be burdened with this enormous debt.

Ed Case has voted to support the Bush agenda. It is the common people that will pay. The Bush administration also did not support the Akaka bill for Hawaiians.

AKAKA CHOSE TO FOCUS ON THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA

Rep. Ed Case chose to attack Sen. Dan Akaka in his closing statement and Sen. Akaka focused on the spirit of aloha.

Of those people who were sitting on the fence, those who do not know Hawai'i will think Ed Case won the debate, those who embrace Hawaiian values will think Sen. Akaka won the debate.

SAT

EXPLANATIONS NEEDED FOR FALLING TEST SCORES

Public school students have taken the latest version of the SAT ("Isles fare poorly on expanded SAT test," Aug. 30).

Here's a test question for Hawai'i's public education leaders: SAT scores across the nation dropped slightly, but Hawai'i's scores fell further than that, making the gap between Hawai'i's scores and the national average even wider than before.

Are Hawai'i's falling test scores caused by a deterioration in the quality of public education in our state, or is there some other cause? In either case, explain.

PRISONS

DRUG CRIME SENTENCE WASTE OF TAX MONEY

The 20-year prison sentence given to a Honolulu woman for conspiracy to possess and distribute ice is a huge waste of money. It will cost taxpayers about $1 million to keep her locked up that long. Is this the best use for a vast sum of public funds?

Drug addicts either deal drugs or steal to support their addiction. More than half of the prison population are drug offenders who will never receive any drug treatment behind bars, which will ensure their return in most cases.

If we treated addiction as a medical problem instead of a crime, our limited prison space could be devoted to violent criminals who need to be segregated from the public.

Our streets and homes are not safe from violence because our prisons are clogged with drug offenders.

HOUSE DISTRICT 23

LEGISLATIVE AIDE EXPERIENCE INVALUABLE

The Advertiser's article about the election to win the state House of Representatives District 23 seat (Aug. 22) requires clarification.

I served as a legislative aide to both my friends and colleagues state Reps. William "Bud" Stonebraker and Mark Moses. The experience I gained working for them will be invaluable in my effort to serve as the next state representative for Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Kaka'ako.

I understand what it's like to be on the outside looking in. Because of my experience as a legislative aide, I have the knowledge of an insider, but as a member of my community I have the perspective of an outsider. I understand the needs of my district and I'm prepared to meet the challenges.