Rep. Terrance Tom realizes importance of tort reform

I was pleased to read your Feb. 12 editorial, "Major tort reform is needed this session." I couldn't agree more. Hawaii definitely needs to reform its judicial system to shield itself from capricious lawsuits.

State Rep. Terrance Tom, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is spearheading this issue because he realizes that it can help our economy. He knows that an unpredictable business environment impacts everyone. Let's hope others follow his lead.

R. Eric Beaver

Hawaii needs Ka Iwi more than another golf course

To those who feel the state should not buy the Ka Iwi shoreline from the Bishop Estate, think again. The Ka Iwi shoreline is one of Oahu's rare, unspoiled treasures and should be preserved.

Oahu already has numerous golf courses and does not need another one to consume more pesticides, herbicides and water.

So much land is being developed at a fast pace today. Wouldn't it be great to keep this land untouched by man for a change?

Lauren Endo
Mililani High School

Government can't espouse any favorite religion

Your Feb. 6 editorial attacking the Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church (HCSSC) was disappointing. Obviously, you don't fully understand the issue or our mission.

There are only two fundamental points in the debate over state/church separation. One is government-established religion and the other is individual religious freedom. In simple terms: People have religious freedom. Government does not!

Government may not advocate in any way that religion is somehow preferable to atheism, secular humanism or any other non-religious personal philosophy.

Government may not patronize or otherwise favor Christianity over Buddhism, Shintoism, Judaism, Scientology or any other non-Christian religion.

Government may not distinguish Catholic over Protestant, Mormon over Episcopalian, or hold any sect above another.

It's that simple! We will continue to challenge all government activities that violate this brilliant and essential principle of freedom.

Mitchell Kahle
President, HCSSC

Stay-at-home mothers deserve more respect

In reference to your Feb. 13 article on HPD's newest officers, "Source of the force," I take umbrage at police officer Susan Klimek's comment about her not being the type to stay home to "watch soaps and plant flowers."

As a former teacher with a master's degree, I consciously chose to stay home for a while to raise our daughter. I do not "watch soaps and plant flowers," and resent my choice being berated by society on the front page of a newspaper, particularly by a recruit in our police force.

I'm tired of that attitude toward moms who stay home. Women are the backbone of our families. That's exactly the problem with our kids today -- women who selfishly go into the "working world" to satisfy their own fulfillment, and then classify moms who stay home as some kind of couch potato. It puts motherhood a step back, and devalues our place in society.

Women have every right to be in the work force. If a woman has decided to "work outside" the home (and some, unfortunately, have to do so) that's fine and acceptable. But don't put down those of us who do otherwise!

C.A. Currier
Mililani

Taxpayers shouldn't pay for underwater hotel

For voters who believe the federal budget cannot be cut without hurting essential services, please read the Star-Bulletin's Feb. 7 story about the Oahu underwater hotel proposal.

Because this $40-million project can be "towed to safety" in the event of a hurricane, it seems to qualify for 85 percent financing under the federal ship-financing program. But those who are proposing this project should finance it privately, without taxpayer risk.

Bill Claybaugh
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

One admission fee would boost attendance at tourneys

I saw a very nice change at the OIA high school softball tourney for girls: an admission package good for the entire tournament. I hope the Hawaii High School Athletic Association takes note.

Sometimes I don't think the HHSAA realizes that the state is in a recession, and that $6 for admission is tough to swallow, four days in a row. Give us a break. You'll get more people in the stands, too.

The Rainbow Classic does it, the OIA does it. Come on, HHSAA, the state tournaments should join the 1990s.

Barry Castellano
Wahiawa
(Via the Internet)

Clinton will get his due come Judgment Day

President Clinton's approval rating is higher than at any other time for his second term presidency. Seventy-four percent of Americans say that they approve of the job he is doing. How could this be? We have a sex scandal here, and there was a mistake or two on his part in the past. Maybe people think the jury is still out and time will tell.

But what bothers me even more is a poll conducted by ABC. It asked the question, "If all the allegations against the president are true and he, indeed, lied, would you still support him?" Sixty-three percent said they would.

What they are saying is the stock market is soaring, the economy is good and interest rates are down, so don't bother us with morality, integrity and ethics. As long as we have our money, don't rock the boat.

Since this president has been in office, we have thumbed our noses at morals, abortion, homosexuality and prayer in the schools, thanks to his appointed liberal judges. But God will have the final word on Judgment Day.

Melvin Partido
Pearl City

Public schools don't support all their students

Hawaii's public schools may unknowingly be discriminating against their students. This is a cancer, especially at the public school I attended up until two years ago.

A majority of the students, who were placed in certain levels based on their academic performance, were not allowed to participate in some activities. Students with high academic performance were placed in language arts enrichment programs. These students were able to take part in science fairs, plays, speech festivals and other extracurricular activities.

As a student who did not qualify for these enrichment programs, I was prohibited from participating. As a result, my self-esteem was undermined and my anger escalated as the years passed.

This unfairness kept me from participating in the school's newswriting class. The video production classes discriminated against me and other students by not allowing us to produce television programs for the school. Students like me were not asked to take part in the science fair.

I felt hurt but, mostly, I felt cheated of my right to learn, especially in a public school where learning is supposed to be for all students.

T. Young
Eighth Grade, St. Andrew's Priory

Editorial made conclusion before investigation was pau

I thought your Feb. 12 editorial about the aviation accident in Italy was premature and ill-advised. The investigation has barely begun and you are already attempting to draw conclusions.

Please do your readers and members of our armed forces a favor and withhold your opinions until all the facts are reviewed and the investigation is completed.

Ken MacDowell
(Via the Internet)

New attractions are needed to revitalize tourism

For a long time, Hawaii has been having economic problems. Job insecurity is a major concern for many people. Many programs have been "pink-slipped," including school-related programs. All of these shortages can be prevented.

Since tourism is Hawaii's money-making source, why not provide better attractions? Today, the palm trees, sandy beaches and wonderful weather don't attract visitors like they used to.

Building a theme park and legalizing cruise-ship gambling are two possible alternatives to boosting the state's economy. Think of how many jobs this would create.

Hawaii has been surviving on tourism for a long time. If this is to continue, we need to enhance the industry with new attractions.

Brad Kageno
Ninth Grade, Mililani High School

Task force plan doesn't address real problems

Whoa! Wait! Time out! Are we so panicked by this recession that we are going to buy into a task force plan that flies in the face of sound judgment and good economic reason?

We've all seen the list of intelligent people and organizations that support this plan. Discounting those who are obviously politically motivated, one has to wonder if backing this plan is the best use of their good name and public credibility.

I share their frustration at several years of inaction and political "do nothing." But I'm not ready to back a plan that fails to address the root cause, and is based on highly suspect manipulation of the tax code.

There is agreement that the size of government and the overall tax load are what is holding Hawaii down. Then let's support a plan that honestly addresses these issues.

You reinvigorate an economy by shifting resources into the productive sectors of that economy. A shell game that is revenue neutral is just a political reward for the loyal. Sorry, Governor. Please put me down as a "no."

Richard K. Rice

Proof is needed to show GET increase is needed

A.A. Smyser's Jan. 20 column, "Don't let emotion thwart GET increase," was not one of his better columns. In fact, it may well be his worst yet.

While arguing that constituents should not be influenced by emotion, he failed to offer one concrete bit of substance as to why the GET increase was positive.

The rhetoric about how it's the best option could be effective if it were supported by clear explanations as to why it will be effective.

The doing-something-is-better-than-doing-nothing school of thought tends to forget the high costs of implementing these changes.

William M. Blackwell
(Via the Internet)

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Bishop Estate Archive

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