Both the short-term and long-term impacts - and the ultimate costs to society - are likely to exceed the monetary and other savings generated. For example, when time limits were imposed on general assistance in Michigan, the need for city homeless shelters doubled and could not be met.
Even more important is the message sent to the community that those least able to protect themselves are a suitable target when the going gets tough; that caring for the disabled is a low priority; that the disabled are someone else's problem.
This accords neither with the ethical standards that underpin our society, nor with the state's motto, nor with Jesus' call to love one another.
Honolulu Friends Meeting urges the governor and the Legislature to prevent any further reductions in entitlements to general assistance for those who are disabled. Furthermore, as a matter of urgency, it must seek ways to restore the entitlements already withdrawn by legislative or administrative actions.
Keith A.W. Crook
Clerk, Honolulu Friends Meeting
The recent effort to clean up Akepo Lane was spearheaded by residents and business owners who strongly desired to take back their community from drug dealers, drug abusers and prostitutes that had set up shop on their street. The residents rallied together with the support of the city and the Honolulu Police Department to drive out illegal activities.
I commend the Akepo Lane community for taking the initiative to clean up their neighborhood. Their united effort is a wonderful display of the ohana sprit.
Jon C. Yoshimura
Honolulu City Council
As a Hawaii student studying economics on the mainland, I especially appreciated the question, "Do you think deregulation will help or hurt Hawaii consumers?" Historically and presently, deregulation is beneficial. Hawaii's consumers should be demanding deregulatory actions to counter the high prices of goods.
When deregulation occurs, competition is stimulated and more companies vie for business. This usually means lower prices for consumers, because most people will choose to pay less for an item if given a choice.
For example, when Wal-Mart and Kmart opened on Oahu, people lined up to get a lock on the low prices. This forced other businesses in town to drop their prices in order to compete. The Hawaii consumer definitely saved money with the increased competition.
Additional competition would force Matson to provide a higher level of service and maybe even lower prices to keep rivals from entering this market. Matson will be the main carrier of cargo for Hawaii but, with deregulation, it will become a stronger company in the global marketplace.
Loren Ayresman
Spokane, Wash.
I grew up in the islands and trace my genealogy back for 15 generations to ancestors arriving in canoes to this archipelago. As a Hawaiian, I am proud that Hawaii has had a long history of acceptance and tolerance of diverse populations.
I also checked into Baucham's statement that "the couples that have filed suit for same-gender marriage licenses are mainland haoles."
One partner in each of the three couples that filed suit was born and brought up in Hawaii. The three partners who were not born in Hawaii have lived here for long periods of time and have made many contributions to our state.
Why should these people be denied equal rights?
Baucham should get his facts correct before disseminating misinformation. He should also understand that there is no room for hate and racism in Hawaii's concept of aloha.
Keola Akana