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Wednesday, July 15, 1998

Get ready for barrage of Con Con propaganda

Now that the governor has approved legislation to put the Con Con question on November's ballot, we should be prepared for a well-financed onslaught of anti-Con Con rhetoric. The arguments may sound plausible but fall apart on critical examination.

First, Con Con is not anti-labor, anti-Hawaiian, anti-gay or anti-anything. It is about making government more accountable and responsive. Historically, Hawaii has rejected intolerance and embraced diversity. Its voters will not ratify amendments which are socially unacceptable.

Second, Con Con is not too expensive. The 1978 Con Con cost about $2 million. In today's dollars, allowing for the 157 percent cost-of-living increase, that comes to a little over $5 million, a small price for restoring democracy.

Finally, we need a Con Con now. It's been 20 years since the last one and will be more than 10 years before we are assured of another. The constitution should be amended to grant voters the right to veto bad laws and to propose good ones when our elected representatives refuse to do so. Initiative and referendum work extremely well in a number of states.

If you want a government responsive to your wishes, vote "yes" on a Con Con.

Ed Michelman

HCRC is notorious for abusing its power

What a victory Albert Jeyte has won on behalf of most citizens (Changing Hawaii, July 10). Civil rights are important to us all, and the founding of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission was based on protecting those rights.

Unfortunately, HCRC seems to abuse its power. It appears so engrossed with the attorney/client relationship, and winning the case, that it has put aside the fact that there are two sides to every story.

The HCRC's primary focus seems to be on obtaining monetary awards for its "clients." Intimidation is used to force citizens to settle frivolous complaints made against them, because they may have no way to defend themselves or the cost of doing so may be prohibitive.

It is well known among those who take advantage of the system that they can use HCRC as a threat to force compromises or to file complaints for monetary awards at no expense to them. HCRC appears to use its power to encourage and expand obviously frivolous complaints.

The Supreme Court's decision on behalf of Jeyte determined it is HCRC's duty to investigate and use reasonable care, and allows a wronged defendant to file suit. Perhaps it is time to go one step further: The Legislature must revisit the mission of HCRC, and redefine its procedures to ensure that the rights of all citizens are upheld. A clear message must be sent that frivolous complaints will result in the complainants paying the costs.

Helen T. Carroll

Ward should not bow out; he's the better candidate

Living on a neighbor island, I cannot even vote for congressional candidate Gene Ward. But numerous communications in the public arena suggest that Ward should bow out of his congressional race. Reasons cited include his lack of money (as compared with Quentin Kawananakoa), having to give up his state legislative seat (so does Kawananakoa), and weakening of his political party.

Hello? Has anyone done any serious homework on Ward's skills in business, including his national presidential honors, cross-cultural experiences in Africa and Asia with the U.N. and Peace Corps, and twice the duration of service in the Legislature as his opponent?

Ward is at least a half dozen years and countries more ready for this primary than Kawananakoa. As some of our fellow islanders would say, "There's nothing more disappointing than a fruit that ripens before its time."

Mark Spengler
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Democrats perpetuate outdated image of GOP

Your recent poll indicating that 68 percent of Hawaii residents believe the Democrats are closer to the mainstream of voters reveals archaic thinking. True, the Republican Party was at one time elitist and concerned only with power and big business.

However, that was in the past. Today's GOP possesses a solid mix of ethnicities (not that it should matter) and pushes a realistic platform of deregulation, lower taxes, increased accountability and a leaner, more efficient state government.

In contrast, the Democrats rely upon fear and the memory of the 1950s to remain in power. Voters must move beyond dead stereotypes and give GOP candidates the honest, fair look they deserve.

Laurence Akiyama
Washington, D.C.
(Via the Internet)

Districts are determined by population, not voters

James Hall's June 27 View Point column, "Democrats connive to keep control," was based on several false assumptions and misinformation:

Hall claims that the one-man, one-vote requirement of apportionment plans has been violated in Hawaii because there are 10,751 registered voters in the Kahala-Maunalani Heights district and only 3,844 registered voters in Kalihi Kai. Our representatives in the Legislature do not represent only registered voters. They are supposed to represent all the residents in their respective districts. It is only right that apportionment be based on population figures, not on the number of registered voters.

When the Supreme Court ruled that the use of registered voter bases was constitutionally permissible, it was a conditional one. According to Anne Feder Lee's "The Hawaii State Constitution -- A Reference Guide," in Burns vs. Richardson (1966), the U.S. Supreme Court held that, used alone, a registered-voter base was not satisfactory. It could be used only if "it was found to have produced a distribution of legislators not substantially different from that which would have resulted from the use of a permissible population base," defined as either 1) total population or 2) total population minus aliens, transients, short-term or temporary residents and felons.

Using the registered-voter base for apportioning in the Kahala-Maunalani Heights and the Kalihi Kai areas clearly would fail this test.

In 1992, Hawaii voters ratified the amendment that changed the apportionment base from that of registered voters to total number of permanent residents.

Jean Y. Aoki
President
League of Women Voters
of Hawaii

WAC defections display a severe lack of values

Considering the machinations behind the Western Athletic Conference defections, college aspirants seeking a military or religious education may want to bypass the Air Force Academy and Brigham Young University in Provo. Current appearances do not support ethics, character and family values education there.

John Anderson

It's time to listen to Heco's concerns

We are having an interesting debate on overhead vs. underground transmission lines. Perhaps the public should reocognize that, while buried cables may not be as vulnerable to storm damage, they are much more difficult to repair.

If we don't think our electric costs are high enough now, let's build all future cables underground. However, since the issue is not simple and the risks associated with underground cables are not insignificant, perhaps we ought to at least listen to Heco's recommendations.

When we drive up utility costs, taxes, fuel, etc., we drive away jobs for our children. That seems to be the objective of a vocal minority on Oahu, and they have been very effective in the past 40 years.

Colin M. Jones

(Via the Internet)

Utility's plans will destroy beauty, health of aina

The disrespect being shown by Hawaiian Electric Co. for the people of Hawaii is completely outrageous! As residents of such a beloved and sacred place, we must stand strong together and speak out against such a mutation of our land.

The health hazards are amazing. Has Heco conducted long-term studies on the carcinogens that are found in the herbicides? How will this affect our keiki? What about the lack of respect and honor for the cultural and historical implications of this land?

The heiau and ancient burial sites found on Waahila Ridge are precious. Does the utility have any plans to research any of the above concerns?

Susan Spiegelberg
Manoa
(Via the Internet)

Only Korean in the 100th should have been honored

Young Oak Kim should have been considered for some form of recognition at the recent convention of the famous 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment, 1399th and military intelligence units.

Kim was supposedly the only Korean in the 100th, comprised of men of Japanese ancestry. He was known as a "kotonk" from L.A. His exploits during World War II were so outstanding that his accomplishments were described in the book, "The Unlikely Liberators," by Masayo Umezawa Duus.

He was the recipient of commendations for heroism, bravery and courage, and awards for valor -- the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Philo Owen

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