Good legislators are just as important as governor
Everyone seems to be narrowly focused on the race for governor. However, the issue of economic recovery for Hawaii lies in other areas.Our present governor has attempted to implement many constructive proposals to revive our stagnating economy, only to be defeated by the members of our Senate and House of Representatives.
The people of Hawaii must realize our economic future lies not only in a governor who has foresight and direction, but one who can get his or her ideas adopted. This means electing members of our Senate and House who are willing to take the necessary risks to make dynamic changes.
Many members of our Legislature seem interested in only one thing --getting re-elected. By keeping things status quo and not making waves, votes will be forthcoming.
Economic recovery is long overdue. New blood is needed. Let's get together this November and make it happen!
Stuart E. Gross
(Via the Internet)
AC is not the answer to cooling classrooms
Recent calls to air condition our public schools are well-intended, but could result in another bottomless pit for our tax dollars. Why? Because most of Hawaii's school buildings are dark-colored, uninsulated "sweat boxes."School buildings can be made naturally cool with light-colored roofs and roof insulation. Insulating is a very reasonable one-time cost, while AC will cost more initially, then rocket DOE's electricity bills to uncontrollable heights.
This is beautiful, breezy Hawaii. Let's insulate our schools' roofs and keep them naturally cool. Then DOE dollars can go to books, computers and teachers instead of electricity bills.
Emily Schmeckpeper
UH needs to supply more student parking
The UH-Manoa campus has always been known for its lack of parking. For years, students have devised ways to park anywhere whether on the street or in front of someone's house. Some have even resorted to getting a moped or an expensive dorm, carpooling, or even riding a motorcycle.I can see why Manoa residents hate people parking on their yards and in front of their driveways (you can tow a car away for that), but do they know why? If you do not get up early (like some aquaintances I know who wake up at 5 a.m.), you will not get parking. There are no parking passes issued to underclassmen, so the struggle to get parking is tough.
Another reason is the price. Who wants to pay $3 every time you go to school? Most students cannot afford the added cost. Catching TheBus is an idea, but try seeing how long it will take you to get from Pearl City to Manoa (more than two hours).
These points raise a question. If we are paying that much for parking, where is all that money going? UH should build another parking structure.
Catherine Blower
Waipahu
(Via the Internet)
Clinton's admission warrants dismissal
Moralist critics and free-thinking defenders of President Clinton have, in my mind, lost sight of a vital legal problem. Having worked for the federal government and served as an officer in the armed forces, I can assure you that any officer past or present, who had committed such an act as the president admits to, would be court martialed or fired.The rules are very clear. Violation with a trainee subordinate, which describes the status of a White House intern, is grounds for prosecution in the armed forces or civil service, whether consenting adults or not. Ask the drill NCOs and officers at Aberdeen.
James T. Pettus
Monica's necktie gift is silly speculation
The feeding frenzy is in full force, and the Star-Bulletin is eagerly joining in. President Clinton's choice of neckties and their possible meaning is not news. It is nothing but the malicious speculation of his sworn enemies, that is to say, the worst sort of gossip.Such a story doesn't belong on the front page. It doesn't even belong in your A section. It belongs in a celebrity gossip column.
James R. Olson, Jr.
(Via the Internet)
Closing of drive-in brings on nostalgia
I happened on your website and read your Aug. 21 story on the closing of the Kam Drive-In. That article brought back fond memories of going to the drive-in with my younger siblings (and a brand new driver's license) during the late 1960s, when our military family lived in Ewa Beach.At that time, my sister and I commuted across the island to St. Ann's High School in Kaneohe, which brings me to the purpose of this letter. I graduated from there in 1968, and unfortunately lost touch with my classmates after I left Hawaii in 1970.
Now, 30 years later, a lot of nostalgia has hit me. I am trying to find out if any reunion is being planned or has already taken place for that graduating class. Perhaps one of your readers can assist me with that information.
I came to St. Ann's as the "new kid" in December of my junior year, bringing the class total to 25 girls. I was still the new kid when all 25 of us graduated at the end of our senior year.
Pam Rudolph Bukowski
Annapolis, Md.
(Via the Internet)
There is no ill will against Japanese people for WWII
I would like to suggest to Sage Sugimoto (Letters, Aug. 13) that the Japanese people have long ago been forgiven for their involvement in World War II, but that the Japanese government will forever be held in contempt for its continued inability to issue a formal apology for its actions/atrocities.Terrence Houlihan
(Via the Internet)
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