Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, October 15, 1996
Feeling picked on by
gay marriage foes
It seems the arguments against same-sex marriage apply to ME! I got a vasectomy in Japan in 1962, before I got married. Wisest $36 I ever spent. It costs $500 here. But now people are making me feel guilty! I formed, as Rep. Terrance Tom says, a domestic partnership with one wahine. For what? The same reason gay couples want to wed! Including the tax breaks.
In the '50s, I saw a film about a Canadian experiment about overcrowded rats. Terrifying! That's why I got tied off, overpopulation.
Article IX-6 gives constitutional authority to the state to plan and manage population growth and protect public health and welfare. The state then is obligated to encourage same-sex marriages. Pregnancy is hazardous, but male chauvinist politicians are more interested in soothing strident religious fanatics than seeing to the welfare of mere women.
Edward Sample
Ethics commission ruled on
accepting door prizes
Recent articles on door prizes at the city level no doubt enlightened many of your readers. They should also be aware that this issue has come up at the state level.
The State Ethics Commission addressed the topic of door prizes in Advisory Opinion No. 94-3, issued in June 1994. The commission ruled that a state official is prohibited from accepting a substantial door prize won in conjunction with the performance of official business. This opinion is consonant with Article XIV of the Hawaii Constitution, which states that "public officers and employees must exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct."
The business community and state officials and employees should be aware that a door prize may very well run afoul of ethics laws. Before accepting such a prize, they should check with the commission.
Daniel J. Mollway
Executive Director
Hawaii State Ethics Commission
Ching would serve well
her Nuuanu constituents
I am a Honolulu resident attending graduate school at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government who is looking forward to the general election battle between Corinne Ching and Lei Ahu Isa for the House District 27 seat.
Although both are bright, capable women who would add distinction and character to our state Legislature, Ching's constant commitment to community service in the Nuuanu area puts her one step ahead of Isa.
Kelly Fujiyoshi
Cambridge, Mass.
Privately run prisons
should be considered
Governor Cayetano has announced a state expansion over the next two years of 1,000 prison beds. This is welcome news. Still, a number of questions arise:
Recognizing our dire need, why has the governor waited until nearly the end of his second year in office to provide this essential need?
Why has he not responded to prior offers of help from the city? Is it possible the new prison space could be provided at lower than projected cost?
Nowhere in the announcement was there mention of studying the privatization approach. With projected capital outlays of $10 million and on-going annual operating expenses in excess of $8 million, how does this compare to allowing private industry to provide the same services?
The governor promised during this campaign that "there should be a comprehensive evaluation to identify possible services that could warrant being considered for privatization." This is an excellent opportunity for a privatization review. It is not too late, and we should all demand that it be done!
Dick Morris
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