You ask whether the arrest of a Honolulu liquor commissioner implicates the Honolulu Liquor Commission's reputation. Although HLC declined to respond, Harbor Court residents wish to share our recent experience attending numerous HLC hearings.

Before filing a petition with HLC, we met with administrator Dewey Kim and his staff. They were helpful, courteous and professional in providing us the needed public information.

One Harbor Court resident brought his young children to the hearings. They received an unanticipated civics lesson: you do not need high-powered lawyers to ferret out "private interests" of the HLC to achieve justice. The lesson was further heightened by Rep. Karl Rhoads testifying in support of his constituents.

The commissioner's arrest is unfortunate. However, as to the reporter's question of the impact on HLC's reputation, we saw HLC render decisions fairly and on the merits of each case, thereby exemplifying "government at its best."

B&BS

IF RENTALS ARE LEGALIZED, EVERYONE WINS

I agree with Karen Luke (Feb. 4) regarding B&Bs. Proponents of B&Bs and vacation rentals ("VRs") wish to operate legally and are seeking the blessing of the City Council, and their neighbors, through fair regulations. They are, like millions of small business owners all over the U.S., honest and hardworking folk, who simply want to supply a service that visitors to our fair state demand, an alternative to staying in Waikiki.

Proponents of B&Bs/VRs are looking to the City Council to establish fair regulations, however, there is a small faction of people who are not open to this, period. Their sole goal is to stop B&Bs/VRs. Auwe! Do these folks not realize that local jobs and tourist dollars are very badly needed in Hawai'i? If B&Bs/VRs are legalized, everyone wins (even them): the visitor who gets the service they want, all local businesses profit, a successful small B&B/VR business generating revenue and jobs in Hawai'i, and even the opponent wins, as regulations will address their concerns as well. Kudos to the City Council for tackling this issue! Hopefully they will find the strength needed to pull everyone together, leading with their own open hearts and minds, to find a solution for the good of all concerned.

TEACHER LICENSING

PROCESS IN HAWAI'I HAS NOT BEEN EASY

I have been trying to become a licensed teacher in this state for two years. I hold a valid license with highly qualified status with the state of Oregon. I have a master's in education from Portland State University and have instructed college-level courses. I have been a presenter at national education conferences and have a published article on mental retardation. I retired in Oregon after 31 years in public classrooms. The standards board has denied my license and requested I take six Praxis tests to prove my worthiness. I'm glad I practice patience with my students everyday.

BAGHDAD PARTYING

PAST TIME FOR SOLDIERS TO BE BROUGHT HOME

I am writing in response to the Sunday, March 1, Page A13 headline "Safer Baghdad frees U.S. soldiers to hit the clubs." Our soldiers are partying at clubs in Baghdad? I think it's past time our soldiers are brought home!

WATER QUALITY

PUSH TO EASE STANDARDS ESPECIALLY FOOLISH NOW

At a time when the Islands are screaming for more tourists and looking to attract new visitors as well as encourage them to come back, I think it is foolish to ease up on the water quality standards. If anything, they should be made higher as pollution runoff gets worse and the population grows and infrastructure ages.

We are very much in danger of fouling our own home and our economy. It is not sensible.