Letters to the Editor
Monday, June 3, 1996


Judge erred in releasing manslaughter defendant

I am absolutely seething at the decision of Judge Sandra Simms to grant the supervised release of (manslaughter defendant) Georgette Kido. It is absurd considering the events that occurred during the hearing.

By her own sister's sworn testimony, Kido was caught lying about her illegal residency and her bogus past employment status. I find it incredible to believe that a judge would release someone on a fundamental, integral belief to remain trouble-free when she blatantly lies to officials giving recommendations to a court of law.

Not allowing Kido's arrest record into stipulation is just one more moronic decision by this "injustice" system. How can contempt of court accusations not be relevant to a flight-risk issue?

It is apparent to the victim's side that minds were made up prior to the prosecutor's valiant attempts.

This ridiculous lack of prudence is an insult to those grieving the loss of Lynne Lindquist.

Casey Cook



'Continuum of care' helps homelessness

Morris Saldov ("Co-op housing could solve Hawaii's homeless woes," May 26) is absolutely right in proposing that permanent housing is the place to start in addressing the problem of Hawaii's homeless people.

Co-op housing, especially for groups like the Makua Beach residents, makes sense - especially because the sense of community seems to be such an integral part of their lives.

For other homeless people who have special needs, such as those suffering from mental illnesses, permanent housing with appropriate support services is needed.

These types of long-term housing options - along with assertive street outreach, intensive case management and strategies to prevent homelessness - form the nucleus of a "continuum of care" which offers the most viable approach for solving homelessness.

Milly Tanabe
Director
Health Care for the Homeless Project



Letter writer blew smoke over geothermal issue

Jim Albertini (Letters, May 23) clearly has the right to vent his feelings about Puna Geothermal Venture. But his attack on Bruce Anderson is more a case of blowing smoke than blowing off steam.

The Environmental Protection Agency's report on PGV found only minor violations over the course of two inspections and was, overall, a good review of the operation. It was also a commendation of the state's monitoring efforts, more stringent than those required by the EPA.

In the future, the EPA will be issuing the groundwater permits, and Albertini's concerns can be addressed directly to it.

As far as his other invective, in no way does Anderson serve as an "apologist" for PGV or any other industry. As with many in the environmental field, he must balance the economic concerns and energy needs of island residents with environmental safety and regulation. The EPA report is, in fact, a credit to his success in doing this.

Ellen Blomquist
Communication Director
State Department of Health



Legislators have got priorities all wrong

As reported in your May 25 edition, Hawaii Democrats opened their convention by approving resolutions to raise our taxes to pay for more welfare and health programs, and to limit the salaries of trustees of a private organization (the Bishop Estate).

We already pay too much taxes so that someone can buy eggs, ham steak and soda with food stamps and then pay $20 in cash for pet food items in a supermarket.

If that's not enough, our Democrats want to stick their noses into the day-to-day operation of a group that government should have no jurisdiction over. These are the same people who, after building a monument to themselves called the state Capitol building, tell our public school students that they will have to do without lights in the schools because they do not have enough money to pay the utility bills.

Isn't it time for a change? Look at our politicians' records and remember them during this election year. They are supposed to work for us, not for themselves!

Richard A. Kon



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