Hawaii Kai voters erred
by ousting Donna Ikeda

How could anyone cast out state Sen. Donna Ikeda? Over 20 years ago, I started working on her campaigns in any way that I could. She was the only honest politician that I knew. As a teacher, I blessed her so many times for her efforts to make our job with children easier and more successful.

I walked by her side for years as she went house to house, street after street - talking, asking questions, trying to serve her constituents in the most comprehensive, dedicated, enlightened way that anyone ever could. I will always be proud to have had the privilege to work with her.

How can anyone believe that she failed them? No-fault? She did everything that she could to get rid of it! Conflict of interest? Her company sells life insurance, for heaven's sake!

To have this dedicated woman cast out, for what - for being too honest, too frank, not smarmy enough, not enough boot licking? What?

Frankly, Hawaii Kai and vicinity, you have done all of your neighbors, teachers, students and businesses a great disservice. We have lost a great legislator.

Bettye J. Wakabayashi
Mountain View, Hawaii
(Formerly of Hawaii Kai)

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We’ll see if co-chairmen
make Senate work better

There has been a lot of speculation about the reorganization of our state Senate, especially the dual chairmanship concept. Leadership claims it is designed to increase responsiveness.

The first test may well come in the Senate Judiciary Committee, headed by Matt Matsunaga and Avery Chumbley.

While public opinion surveys have repeatedly shown that the people of Hawaii oppose both same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships, both of the Judiciary co-chairmen support them.

If they are truly responsive, unlike their predecessor Rey Graulty, Matsunaga and Chumbley will allow legislation to reach the Senate floor that would let the people decide the issue themselves.

However, if they choose to use the power and authority of their new positions to make certain such legislation dies in their committee, then nothing has changed except the names. Personal agendas will continue to block the will of the people.

Cynthia Godfrey

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Michael, Woody deserved
roasting by columnist

David Shapiro must be disappointed that his Nov. 16 Volcanic Ash column did not get through to those it was intended - like Tony Young, for example (Letters, Nov. 22).

Shapiro wrote, "What kind of society are we if we don't hold people to account for hideous acts just because they're talented, rich and famous?"

Retorted Young, regarding Michael Jackson and Woody Allen, "No one with this kind of creativity would intentionally harm and/or exploit a child."

Really? Any soul who is not star crazy will know that buying one's way out of possible sexual molestation charges by paying millions of dollars to quiet a young boy, and fooling around with the young adopted daughter of the woman one supposedly loved, is plain wrong - no matter how creative the individual.

Warren Kaneshiro

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Scalpers will be winners
in race for concert tickets

What purpose did the "eight tickets per person" limit for the Michael Jackson concert serve? Due to this limit, thousands of eager concert-goers were turned away.

What would one person do with eight concert tickets, anyway? Probably sell them at 8-10 times their face value. I have heard that first-night tickets, which have a face value of $65, already have an asking price of $250.

A four-ticket limit would have been more reasonable, especially to those who waited more than 10 hours in line, and who were still turned away after the tokens were dispensed.

Cary K. Izuka
Aiea