Excessive fireworks
show no aloha for neigbors

Having been through another day and evening of the rampant setting off of fireworks by those who have no regard for the law, much less consideration for their neighbors, we are fast approaching a lifestyle with no concern for the rights and feelings of others.

The issue of firecrackers is a political one. Those who have the elected power and exercise it in a way to ensure re-election will not address the serious overuse of fireworks on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July.

This being a given, residents of Hawaii thumb their noses at authority and set off fireworks wherever and whenever they want.

Our challenge as we approach the year 2000 is to raise up leadership in our community that will inspire us to live within established boundaries, not purely for the sake of following laws but because we want to live in harmony and with consideration for the rights of others.

Beverly Van Horne
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

Why don't more Americans
fly flag on the Fourth?

It was a beautiful mid-morning in Mililani Mauka. The date was July 4, Independence Day, and I was starting my regular walk through the neighborhood.

Since I had just finished raising my new American flag, I thought it might be interesting to count the number of flags being displayed on the anniversary of our country.

I walked my normal 2.5 miles, taking a route that took me through single-unit houses only. I walked and counted a total of five flags -- one with Mickey Mouse, one with Pooh Bear and, to my disappointment, only three American flags, one of which was mine.

I am not sure how many houses there would be in a 2.5-mile stretch, but it should be more than 100, maybe 200. Either way, it indicated to me that only 3 percent or less of the residents in Mililani Mauka give a damn about the importance of celebrating the birth of their country.

Sign me disgusted.

William G. Burlingame Sr.
Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)
Mililani

It is absolutely untrue
that aloha spirit is dead

While in Hawaii on business, I read the June 21 letter to the editor by Earl Pfohl of Lilburn, Ga. He felt that the aloha spirit had vanished. Although this was my first trip to the islands, I cannot disagree more strongly.

The residents on all islands I visited were so welcoming. From the instant I stepped off the plane until I boarded again for LAX, kindness abounded.

My compliments to the staffs of the Hawaii Prince hotel, Aloha Airlines and all the other people I came in contact with during my brief four-day stay.

Everyone was most gracious and respectful. Everyone's "aloha spirit" was evidenced in every contact.

I hope to have the opportunity to return again and again, for your people are your best advertisement.

John McGinty
La Verne, Calif.
(Via the Internet)

Hiking the cost of smokes
won't make puffers quit

Raising taxes on cigarettes will not discourage smokers. A better way is for all health insurance agencies, including Medicare and Medicaid, not to pay the benefits to insureds whose illnesses are related to smoking.

Let's give it a try.

Bai Shan

The 'bill payers' deserve
access to information

There seems to be a misinterpretation of what the public wants state and county governments to do with access to their information.

Members of the public, as the bill payers, expect being able to access information on what governments are doing for or to them. This is called the right to know.

However, for whatever reasons, bureaucrats see the public as a collective pest who will only receive a "NO" for information requests.

So rather than a "right to know" -- we are stuck with only a "NO." Auwe!

Rick Scudder
(Via the Internet)

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