Harris must fix problems instead of having visions
So the mayor has come up with this grandiose new vision for the 21st century. Why would he even think of something like that when we still have Ewa Villages? He should finish one project before thinking up another in order to draw attention away from his biggest flop.Ewa Villages will not go away, not for the people of Ewa or for the taxpayers. There is still no money to pay for this mistake and the people will ultimately shoulder the burden of this failure.
Let's talk about the lawsuit, Mr. Mayor. Have you told the people about that? It's going to cost somebody money. Why don't you try telling people about what's really happening instead of just gazing into the clouds and hoping the voters are doing the same thing. Fulfill your promises to the people, not your future dreams.
Richard H. Wasson
Old Ewa Villages Community
Association
Redesigned $20 bill really looks terrible
This year the U.S. Treasury Department is promoting the distribution of a redesigned $20 bill. It is probably the worst-looking paper currency bill that I have ever seen -- featuring a huge off-center picture of a younger President Andrew Jackson.The Treasury also issued newly redesigned $100 bills in 1996 and $50 bills in 1997; both are equally as ugly in the "funny money" category.
The reason for the newly designed money is to avoid counterfeiting. Baloney! The old money will remain in circulation until it wears out; this will keep the counterfeiters and money-launderers happy.
The last time a new currency was introduced in the U.S. was in 1928, another era of financial euphoria. The public thought the stock market would rise forever and that big banks would never close their doors.
The newly designed currency hit the streets in 1929! Could this be a bad omen?
Robert M. Lowe
Weed & Seed has already planted positive change
While we appreciate your Aug. 26 article on Hawaii's new Weed & Seed program, some might conclude that nothing can make a positive difference in the high-crime communities of Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown.That is not true.
Weed & Seed, an innovative program of the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. attorney to stop crime and rebuild communities, is already making a difference.
While other approaches have failed due to weak enforcement efforts, Weed & Seed brings tougher federal trial and sentencing laws designed to get and keep criminals off the streets.
Similarly, while other efforts have lacked follow-through, Weed & Seed understands that "seeding" the community with meaningful social and economic revitalization programs is just as important as "weeding" out crime.
Recently more than 850 Aloha United Way volunteers kicked off Hawaii's first Weed & Seed program by dedicating their "A Day of Caring" to cleaning up and beautifying Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown.
Maile Kanemaru
Coordinator, Weed & Seed Program
Punish St. Louis players who misbehaved
The damage done by the St. Louis football players in Las Vegas goes far beyond the physical destruction of a few hotel rooms. They not only disgraced their school and football program but left a tarnished image of the aloha we are supposed to show to all people, not to mention those gracious enough to host an entire team and their coaches.Beyond the problem of representation is the complete lack of discipline that St. Louis is exercising. Sure, the students are "on probation," but they are still allowed to participate in the rest of the football season, a privilege they didn't take seriously enough in the first place.
Coach Cal Lee's sweeping apology and acceptance of responsibility are hollow and embarrassing. These are empty words when he faces no consequences.
He should do these kids a favor by teaching them morality and responsibility now, before they graduate into the real world where underage drinking, destruction of property and mistreatment of hotel workers not only will ruin your image but could land you in jail.
Lori Lei Hokyo
Bag searches don't occur at UH Stan Sheriff Arena
Although I enjoy Corky's cartoons, there is a factual error in his Sept. 12 front-page cartoon. It shows searches of individuals entering the Stan Sheriff Arena when, in fact, we have never searched individuals entering any sporting event on campus.Corky must have been referring to the Aloha Stadium volunteer bag check. Please be assured that we have no plans to search anyone attending UH sporting events on campus.
James J. Donovan III
Associate Athletics Director
University of Hawaii at Manoa
(Via the Internet)
Bishop inquiry sheds light on inflated land values
One of the most significant allegations in Attorney General Margery Bronster's petition has not been mentioned in any media account. She states that the kickback scheme with a Bishop Estate trustee's brother-in-law "artificially inflated the value of the land in order to affect anticipated future mandatory sales by the trust of its leased fee interest in other leasehold condominiums."We knew Bishop Estate was ripping off leaseholders. Now we know at least one of the ways it did it.
Bill Wynhoff
Kailua
(Via the Internet)
Bishop Estate Archive
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