Take Lingle's comments with a grain of salt
Your newspaper carried a March 26 report on comments made by Linda Lingle about welfare, but failed to identify the event at which the Maui mayor's statements were made and the number of persons attending.It left me with the impression that the reporter covered a coffee hour given by a candidate for governor. I don't believe such events to be newsworthy.
Perhaps the event was important, but I will never know. As a person who paid 75 cents for your paper, I hope this failure was merely an oversight.
Further, a word of advice to your loyal readers on Oahu: As a citizen of Maui County, experience has taught me not to take statements made by Lingle on the "campaign trail" as true.
For example, her statements on welfare should be considered in light of the mayor's proposed budget, which contains $200,000 for dealing with the fallout from welfare reform cutbacks.
Jim Smith
Haiku, Maui
Democrats are panicked by candidate's strength
In his March 19 letter to the editor, Lloyd Nekoba wonders if the GOP isn't panicking and/or overreacting because it has launched an emergency fund drive in support of Mayor Linda Lingle. As even Nekoba should know, the reason for this drive is the legislative proposal to limit the amount that a political party may give to a candidate.This proposal, ostensibly, is to plug a loophole in a 1994 enactment. Are we expected to believe that the majority party in the Legislature did not discover this flaw until its probable candidate, who possesses a large war chest, might be in some jeopardy as a result of Lingle's candidacy?
As a participating registered voter who is not a member of any political party, my reaction was to send a contribution to Lingle's campaign. Also, I will be most interested to see if the incumbent candidates seeking my support were for or against this proposal.
W.C. Gibson Jr.
Kaneohe
Australia is not trying to capture mac nut market
I have read with keen interest your reporting on the concerns of Hawaii's macadamia growers over competition from Australia. The articles have been good examples of the quality journalism that characterize your publication, but the contents need balancing.First, the macadamia tree is a native of Queensland. Twenty years ago, 80 percent of Australia's product was sold to America; today, the figure is 20 percent. While our industry may have slowed up on developmental activities, as Hawaii's has become dominant in the market, it has borne the brunt of parallel programs in Europe and Asia.
Second, the local industry appears to want to close off the United States to imports. If so, it should remember the experience of Hawaii's sugar cane growers. There was a highly protected market for raw sugar, but it has suffered from consumers accepting alternative and cheaper sweeteners such as beet and corn syrup.
In similar fashion, American cookie makers, the big buyer of macadamia, will use alternative nuts to keep their products attractive and sellable if there is only a single source of supplies.
Third, the references to "dumping" are scare-mongering. Australia may have subsidized the cost of farm products sent to Britain during World War II, but the practice ceased long ago.
Colin McDonald
Consul General of Australia
Honolulu
Disrespect for Clinton may lead to GOP backlash
Enough of Whitewater. What started out as a campaign spending investigation has turned into a fiasco.When Kenneth Starr started the Monica Lewinsky investigation, Whitewater became a manure pile. He and Newt Gingrich and other Republicans have been playing in that manure pile every day for months. They have spent so much time in it, they smell like manure. Maybe worse.
I regret that I can't vote against Gingrich and some other Republican congressmen, but I can send them a clear message.
In the last election, I voted for as many Republicans as Democrats. That will not be the case this year. I have decided to vote against all Republicans this November in county, state and national races. I wonder how many other independent voters will use their votes to turn off the GOP.
Earl Eckel
Kihei, Maui
Harris is to blame for Ewa Villages fiasco
With respect to your March 26 article on the Oahu grand jury investigating the use of $6 million for the Ewa Villages relocation project, I would not have put the blame on the people suspected in this "sophisticated and complex scheme."The blame should be put on city officials. All the suspects did was take full advantage of this stupid system that is instilled on taxpayers.
Granted, they may do time, but they'll be laughing all the way. And then, of course, taxpayers will have to house them and feed them three square meals a day.
If the "system" had monitored and checked its financial budget, this scheme would not have gone the length that it did. With a slipping economy and all the layoffs, companies shutting down and leaving the state, banks merging to survive, and people moving to the mainland, one might think the city would pay closer attention to the budget.
If anyone should be laid off, Mayor Harris should be the first.
Robert P. Kanealii
Kaneohe
Why not place hydrants underneath sidewalks?
During my travels, I've seen places where fire hydrants were located below the sidewalks with metal covers to be opened during emergencies.When the sidewalk covers were opened, there were five or six valves that the emergency personnel would hook up to. There was a sign that clearly marked the location of the hydrant.
If the hydrants were fabricated below the sidewalk level with covers and sign designations, we probably would not have to widen the sidewalks and won't have anyone shearing the hydrant off during an accident.
Finally, it will be much more cost effective than relocating the hydrant and widening the sidewalk.
Warren S. Nakasone
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