Letters to the Editor

Friday, May 10, 1996

Voters can cure what ails Democratic Legislature

Our Democratic Legislature cut benefits to the disabled, and labored mightily to cut the budget by a mere 5 percent.

The Democrats did not give us more prison space in Hawaii. As a result, criminals run loose, and violent crime is up 14 percent in Honolulu.

Because Democrats did not act, you will continue to pay high auto insurance rates. That is the Democrats' record, and they must take the blame.

But let us do more than blame; let's cure the problem. Voters have the power to change things in November at the polls. Consider voting for parties other than the Democrats, who have failed us so miserably in the Legislature.

Mark Terry

Payroll lag measure needs more fine-tuning

I would like to comment on the recent passage by the Legislature of HB 3341, the payroll lag for government employees. The payroll lag wrongly permits the state to use employees' salary interest free to gain $47 million in revenues.

Currently, government employees are paid on the 15th and last day of the month. If an employee does not report to work during the last few days of the pay period, he/she is still paid for the absentee day(s) and the state later tries to retrieve money from the employee who should not have been paid for the missed day(s). The state has been unable to collect most of the "loss" money.

Governor Cayetano and his administration should admit that they wrongly advised the Legislature. The governor should veto HB 3341 and issue an executive order to change the pay period to the 5th and 20th of each month. This five-day wait period allows the state to examine an employee's attendance and withhold the absentee day(s), releasing the state from collecting any reimbursement. In time of government restructuring, the administration should work together with state employees. Don't take advantage of our state employees.

Jack K. Suwa
Former government employee

Voters can take wind out of insurers' windfall profits

Hawaii's insurance commissioner claims that insurance companies offering auto insurance will find profits expanded in the near future because of a revision of medical fee schedules. They will have to pay less in medical claims for accident victims. Shocking!

Adding insult to injury, the companies will once again profit handsomely from the failure to pass a consumer-friendly insurance bill with a deserved rollback.

Hawaii consumers must become aware that insurance companies in Hawaii already make excess profit. The latest figures (1994) from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners show that Hawaii insurance companies earned a 14.4 percent return on net worth. Compared with the Fortune 500 companies return of 12 percent, this is not to be sniffed at.

Had the Milton Holt so-called "true no-fault bill," favored by insurers but opposed by consumers, passed, the windfall would have been even greater than predicted by the commissioner.

And, in addition, consumers would have been virtually denied access to the law to protest unfair settlements. At present, the large majority of complaints to the Insurance Division are from consumers who were treated unfairly.

The state legislative committee of AARP has struggled for more than four years for an automobile insurance bill favorable to seniors and the general public. It will continue to fight. With an election pending, there is now the chance to elect legislators who will support true reform. Hawaii consumers must not continue to pay the second highest premiums in the nation.

Ruth Ellen Lindenberg
State Legislative Committee AARP

Changes at Hulihe'e Palace in Kona are not welcome

It has been over three months since Kailua-Kona lost control of another part of its Hawaiian heritage. I kept thinking this would be reversed somehow. But alas, it is apparent nothing is going to change. The Hawaii Visitors Bureau is always searching for ways to entice and please our visitors. Visitors come to Hawaii for the Hawaiiana and for its aloha. Isn't it strange, we have such assets in our midst and we let them slip away.

Hulihe'e Palace belongs to Kailua-Kona physically and historically. Her curator, Fanny AuHoy, brought aloha to the palace. Her mother, Aunty Lei Collins, served in the same capacity before Fanny. Almost a quarter of a century had been given, by them, to make Hulihe'e a special place for locals and for visitors.

Now, through questionable maneuvering, the management of Hulihe'e is controlled by Honolulu. Honolulu, the city that lost its aloha many years ago. Hulihe'e is run by Honolulu and Fanny has been forced to leave. Two of our most valuable assets are gone. An attempt was made by some local residents to have a resolution passed by the state Legislature to give the control of Hulihe'e to the people of Kona. The Legislature is in Honolulu. So the resolution failed. Honolulu can always do things better. Look at Waikiki.

We can find evidence of many sites slipping away. When will we really decide enough is enough and fight to keep our precious identity and those pieces of Hawaiiana that make Kona unique? This uniqueness is what makes visitors say, "This is what I expected to see when I came to Hawaii."

Losses come easily. It requires skill and wisdom to avoid them.

BETTY GUYER
Kailua-Kona

Online edition closes distance from home

I am very pleased that the Star-Bulletin is being published over the Internet. I have recently moved from Hawaii (where I attended UH) to Southeast Asia and to be able to keep informed on what is happening in Hawaii is a real joy. I feel the information presented is very informative and your layout well done.

I would like to suggest that the online edition include some of the classified ads printed in the paper. People like myself are always looking for employment/business opportunities and other aspects found in the classified section.

Thank you for making the Star-Bulletin available online and keep up the good work!

Kevin Grace
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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