Letters to the Editor
Monday, June 24, 1996

Capitol is degenerating into
place of contention

Having been a lobbyist for approximately 10 years and an attorney for 20, I have experienced both worlds of hand-to-throat litigation and political compromise. However, recent events have given me cause for concern.

The Legislature appears to be moving toward the I-win/you-lose world of litigation. Hawaii should shun this trend and reaffirm that we are all in this state together.

The move to the State Office Tower may have contributed to the shift where communication was effectuated through the impersonal telephone, fax machine, word processor and memo transmittal. Since the building was a downtown office building, it was natural that the spatial environment was not conducive to consensus and open communication.

Many felt that the move back to the old Capitol would signal the return to collegiality. After all, how could you not recognize and talk story to your opponent standing at the rail?

But this has not been the case.

Many feel that this past session was contentious and factious. Sure, I participated and fought hard in the hot issues (no-fault, gambling, workers' compensation), but was saddened to view positions hardened and lines drawn in the sand.

I sincerely hope that tolerance can replace narrow thinking, that patience can overcome hastiness, and that aloha can prevail overall at the Legislature. Our future depends on it.

Steven M. Nagata


Humane Society overdue for audit
on its operations

Let's thank letter writer Penelope Hazzard for reminding us that the Honolulu City Council will consider a fiscal and performance audit of the Humane Society at 9 a.m. on July 3. Whatever the reason, the Humane Society should have no objection since the audit is way overdue.

When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. Besides, the City Council would be remiss in not conducting an audit and inviting the public's participation.

As far as the "cat protection bill" being a revenge motive for this action, nothing could be further from reality. I have seen all the documentation and heard all the testimony so far in support of an audit and the "cat protection bill" was never mentioned.

Billy R. Ervin
Makaha


Jesus would oppose
modern-day death penalty

Ed Doleman asserts that the Bible endorses the death penalty in his June 14 letter.

Christians look to the New Testament. That's why they call it "new," and why they are called "Christians."

Jesus of Nazareth, the proclaimed Messiah (Christ), was asked only once about a death penalty case. He opposed capital punishment unless someone without sin could be found to cast the first stone (John 7:53-8:11).

I sense that Jesus stands with the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers) and those of all faiths who oppose the death penalty.

Bob Stauffer
Kaaawa


Those who criticize road are
still driving on it

As I was on my way to attend a class, I drove my Lanai Co. pick-up on the private road "With No Name." I passed (one critic of the road's safety) in his truck and thought, if this road is not safe, why is he still driving on it?

You see, what I can't understand is how people can say something in the newspaper (Star-Bulletin, June 10) like, "The road should be closed," or "It's unsafe," and yet these same people are still driving on that road.

The Kamalapau Highway had three deaths on it in my lifetime. Why didn't anyone say that it was unsafe?

We all knew Conrad Kawasaki. We loved him and grieve for him, and miss him terribly. Let his soul rest in peace.

Royalene "Mamo" Fernandez
Lanai City, Lanai


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