Mayor hasn't yet solved Ewa Villages problem
In response to Carol Costa's July 24 letter in support of her boss, she should review his track record. If Jeremy is putting in 80 hours or better a week, what is he doing that is worthy of any praise?He still hasn't solved the Ewa Villages problem. He still hasn't come up with answers, to anyone's satisfaction, as to where all the money is going.
Maybe Costa is right that Mayor Harris is working hard -- not smart, just hard.
Richard H. Wasson
Old Ewa Villages Community Association
Ewa(Via the Internet)
Reggie White should stick to pro football
Why in the world did the Save Traditional Marriage folks choose Reggie White for their ad campaign spokesman? White should stick to the football field, where he is clearly a champ. Instead he has created a storm of controversy by speaking about Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, gays and Caucasians in the most stereotypical terms.Why doesn't he use his ministry to teach love? In aligning with Reggie White, Save Traditional Marriage has shown its true colors. Talking stink doesn't fly, especially in Hawaii. Neither does a plan to take away basic civil rights and to marginalize racial and ethnic groups.
What does fly here is compassion, tolerance and respect for differences. I appeal to Hawaii citizens: Vote with those qualities in mind and heart.
Tracey Bennett
Alewa Heights
(Via the Internet)
Oh, we'll be 'celebrating' annexation, all right
In response to Elbert Chun's July 14 letter, "Why aren't we celebrating 100th year of annexation," I want to assure him that various parties within Hawaii's multi-ethnic culture are marking this August event.The U.S. blatantly used its industrial might to subvert a constitutional authority, the monarchy of the Kingdom of Hawaii, replaced it with a puppet government and then outright stole the land and called it a "territory" of the United States.
Back in 1898, I guess it was considered a prize to own Hawaii, the key in the emerging "two-ocean" military plan. I also assume that most Americans assumed Hawaiians should feel privileged to be in the "greatest union on Earth." Then again, I'm only assuming.
Today, our government is rocked by sex scandals; partisan politics stop anything useful from passing; our local leaders don't have public trust; our economy's shot and we're virtually ignored in D.C. It's a grand country to belong to, all right.
Reid Seino
Mililani
(Via the Internet)
Bert Kobayashi has built outstanding reputation
I take umbrage with your July 17 headline, "Cayetano pal got $40 million in no-bid work." I have known Bert A. Kobayashi since 1972. He parlayed a small family construction company into a multimillion-dollar business by taking risks on what he felt were "sure" things.Bert's first successful big-time gamble was landing a contract with Hilton. He bid on the renovation contract for the Kuilima (now Turtle Bay), promising to come in on time and on budget. Other contractors said it couldn't be done, but Bert did it -- without shoddy workmanship. He still maintains the same high standards.
There is no doubt that, with his accumulated expertise and knowledge, Bert could see the writing on the wall about the school bids. By keeping his ear to the ground whenever possible construction was mentioned, he could foresee the possibilities.
In short, he didn't need the governor to favor him with an inside tip or a non-publicized bid. Bert is the type who would wager the schools would need to be built faster than normal procedures would allow and, hence, he would go ahead and risking his own money because, like all construction companies today, he needed some contracts. His gamble of money and time paid off.
Judy Sakae
Kaneohe
Convention center is empty for a reason
I've read with interest the comments about the unused Hawaii Convention Center. It seems to me that the main thing missing from that edifice is a sign that should be prominently displayed outside: "No Locals Allowed." That would be the appropriate finishing touch.Larry Kwiatkowski
(Via the Internet)
Hawaii needs the services of special prosecutor, too!
We should invite Kenneth Starr over here, so he can add the Bishop Estate to his ongoing investigation.Then we can sit back, relax and await his decision, Hawaiian style -- in 2010.
John L. Werrill
Toshi Nakasone started Waialua football legacy
I read with great interest Bill Kwon's July 2 column on Waialua High School dropping its OIA varsity football program. Former Waialua head coaches Hugh Yoshida, Norm Chow and Skippa Diaz certainly deserve credit for the school's successful football program. But it is their predecessor, Toshiyuki (Toshi) Nakasone, who started the school's fledgling football program in the 1950s and developed it into a rural Oahu powerhouse.Toshi began his coaching career first at Kahuku and later at Waialua High, when high school athletics suffered financial difficulties. But Toshi did not let that deter him or his athletes -- even if it meant using the plantation fields for practice.
Beginning in 1952, Waialua won the Rural Oahu Interscholastic Association (ROIA) football championship for four consecutive years. Three times, Toshi was named Coach of the Year. These accomplishments led to his induction into the Waialua High School Football Hall of Fame and Football Coaches' Hall of Honor during the OIA's 50th anniversary.
Following coaching, Toshi had a distinguished career as an educational administrator. He continues to serve the community as president of the Retirees Unit of the HGEA/AFSCME Local 152.
Norman Mizuguchi
Senate President
Objectivity is lacking on partial-birth abortion
Your July 24 editorial, "Partial-birth abortion," makes the GOP look reprehensible and cruel for not being willing to compromise on an issue as obviously crucial as "the life and health of the mother."How about a little more objectivity? Why didn't you acknowledge that the bill does allow the procedure when it involves saving the life of the mother? Why didn't you admit that the word "health," in the sad history of the national abortion cult, is routinely used to include "psychological health," a term so broad and ill-defined that it can be stretched to cover such trivia as the mother being upset if she is refused the abortion?
Donald W. Baron
(Via the Internet)
No mousetraps at cloning capital
The path beaten
to our UH house
eschews the mousetrap
for a better mouse.Greg Knudsen
(Via the Internet)
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