Reader rebukes
and regrets...Fasi's endorsement is far from desirable
There is no fool like an old fool. Frank Fasi shocks everybody by ratting out in his endorsement. What words come to my mind to describe the ancient warrior: ludicrous, ridiculous, senile, hopeless, desperate. talk about a man whose time has passed.The real loser is Governor Cayetano. What can he do? Refuse the endorsement? And Frank's nod is the kiss of death.
Charles R. Webb
Kailua
Fasi was best one to fill the governor's job
Frank Fasi's perseverance, hard work and the belief in what he can accomplish for the economy and citizens of Hawaii with "Ben" in control is better than not having Fasi's perseverance, hard work and belief at all. The best man does not always win, but he will go down fighting.Ed Lee
Fasi's scheme is going to blow up in his face
When I first heard that former Mayor Frank Fasi was running as a Republican, I remember thinking, "Yeah, right!" Fasi must really think that the people in Hawaii are complete idiots.Several editorials, pre-election, cautioned that his running was merely an attempt to take away votes from Linda Lingle and to strengthen Ben Cayetano. Fasi, of course, denied this.
Then he goes and supports Cayetano. The old boy network is alive and well.
But I think the boys are in for a surprise in November. Fasi's little plan is about to backfire. Shame on you, Mr. Fasi! There was a time when I thought you were different. Turns out you are just another old boy with a hidden agenda: status quo.
Alice Teehan
(Via the Internet)
Young people realize that change is needed
Yes, Frank Fasi has a following of the plus-50 generation, but most of these individuals are set in their careers and close to receiving their pensions.Those of us in our late 20s and early 30s have to work multiple jobs. My generation believes in the best person for the job, and that we need a fresh face in office to give Hawaii a better chance for a bright economic future.
John Yoblonski
(Via the Internet)
Dems should be wary of Fasi endorsement
It's a sad day for members of the Democratic Party in Hawaii when a lying, mud-slinging politician like Frank Fasi endorses their party and they jump for joy. You would think that they would take pride in whom they receive endorsements from.
Frank Fasi responds...
Republicans broke promises to be fair
Because the monopoly newspapers, in an effort to boost the flagging campaign of their chosen candidate, Linda Lingle, have chosen to print only the letters to the editor written by Lingle supporters which attack me becauseof my endorsement of Governor Cayetano, I believe that a response is warranted.
The Lingle campaign fully realizes that her support has already peaked and that my supporters will decide this gubernatorial election. Hence, in an all too obvious coordinated letter-to-the-editor effort by the Lingle campaign, the Republicans are making a desperate attempt to attack my credibility so as to lessen the impact of my endorsement of Governor Cayetano. It will not work.
The letters written by the Lingle supporters express outrage beause I had earlier stated that I would support Lingle if the Republican Party treated me equally in the primary as it promised. The Republicans broke their promise to me:
When Mike Liu, Stan Koki, and others publicly endorsed Lingle in the primary;
Yet Alcantara did not do the same when Liu and Koki attacked each other's records, or when Kawananakoa and Ward did the same, or when Lingle was calling me a liar because I had the audacity to point out that the Maui Miracle was in fact a Maui Myth (which Maui voters apparently agreed in the primary election).
In a return to the Big Five mentality, Lingle and Alcantara have shown that their sense of equal treatment is dependent on what's best for them, not the rest of us.
I continue to strongly urge my supporters to vote for Governor Cayetano in November. I have championed the little guy during my entire political career. I am convinced that the little guy won't have a chance if Lingle and her elitists win. That is why I support Governor Cayetano!
Frank F. Fasi
Editor's note: The Star-Bulletin has not yet announced its candidate endorsements for the general election.
Charting vision for area is a welcome challenge
Since Waimanalo is my home, I want to make sure it retains its rural/country character. That's why I went to the mayor's vision meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center. I was pleased to find that he shares the same vision for my community -- keeping the country country.We've put together a Waimanalo Vision Team that's committed to creating a strong vision for our rural community. Many of us at the meeting were amazed that we were being given a chance to lead such a process.
You had to be there to understand how much we appreciate what the mayor has done for Waimanalo.
James "Kimo" Kaonohi II
Waimanalo
Harris should be lauded for sharing his vision
There was a lot to like in the mayor's vision program, which ran on television last week. One thing that really hit home was the idea of opening up our waterfront.I've been to other cities where you can go down to the waterfront and enjoy cultural events. I'm glad to hear that Mayor Harris talking about getting rid of those ugly warehouses that keep us from enjoying our oceanfront.
I don't know why several others have written negative letters to the editor about this. This vision process is really exciting, for it forces us to look forward 10, 20, 30 years and to chart the future of Oahu.
The mayor is inviting us to participate in the process. What could be wrong with that?
Lani Okamura
Coach Lee doesn't deserve criticism
Cal Lee, St. Louis football coach, is a man of tremendous character and integrity. His love and care for his players and school are unquestionable. I have two sons who played under him. They came out as better students and persons.It was different during their time, as alcohol consumption on their teams was non-existent. Today, beer is all around and easily accessible to the youngsters. It's hard to supervise them every minute. They are just kids.
As parents, we tell our children what is right and wrong and then we must trust them. But sometimes they do get into mischief, as most youngsters do.
Cal Lee trusted his young players but they did not return his trust. Unfortunately, they let him and the school down. This incident will be a lesson to these youngsters and, hopefully, will make them better students and people.
To the rest of the community, don't be quick to pass negative judgment on Cal Lee and St. Louis. Let's all pull together now, be ohana and help the youngsters and school move on.
Henry S.T. Kim
Pariante's decision merits commendation
Since it takes a village to raise a child, we villagers should thank the St. Louis School administration, especially Father Mario Pariante, for changing the players' punishment from probation to forfeiture and suspension, if the allegations as reported in the press are true.Probation would have sent the wrong message to our children: that it is OK to do similar misdeeds, because you will only be placed on probation. It may also have set a precedent for future similar incidents at other schools.
George Kaneshiro
Government should file lawsuit against itself
After the state finishes its lawsuit against the oil companies for gasoline price-fixing, then the state can sue itself for the price fixing it arranges for a multitude of other favored industries in Hawaii.Ken Schoolland
Waipahu
UH football team is (ahem) not doing well
How low has the UH football team sunk? If they had a bye week, bye would be a 7- point favorite.Wayne Luke
Holmes' rule on accepting contributions is exemplary
As we bemoan the insidious influence of big campaign contributions, we should applaud City Councilman Steve Holmes for his campaign contribution policy.He has a no-gift policy and limits contributions from individuals to $250 in a four-year election period. Also, he does not accept any money from developers, businesses or lobbying groups.
Many think it impossible to get elected with such a contribution policy. Holmes, however, has proved them wrong in two past elections, and hopes to do so again in his present bid.
The independence created by his campaign policy, together with his personal honesty and integrity, assure that all issues are judged on their merits and not on the size of campaign donations.
We need more lawmakers like Holmes, who are not beholden to special interests and whose sole allegiance is to the public.
Robert D. Retherford
Kailua
Union chiefs should be elected by voters, too
Imagine how much the state would benefit if the various union leadership positions were also put to a vote on election day. We could really put a dent in the old boy network by changing the pompous leadership of the governor and union dictators in one swoop. Imagine. Imagine.Don McGee
Mililani
(Via the Internet)
Rodrigues should investigate Souki
Instead of just digging into the background of the Republican challenger to Speaker Joe Souki, Gary Rodrigues of the UPW ought to spend some time investigating the $100,000 commission received by Souki for his very questionable real estate consulting service. Equal time for each party is fair, isn't it, Gary?J.D. Nielsen
Souki takes too much credit for veterans center
The political season always brings out extravagant claims by politicians, but there is a limit to what we should have to bear. The latest blatant example is a Joe Souki ad in the Maui News, which pictures three AJA vets under the banner, "Thanks for the Nisei Veterans Center."Anyone viewing this ad will conclude that Souki wants us to believe he got all of the money for this project from the state budget. Having made a modest donation ourselves to honor brave Nisei soldiers from the 100th, 442nd & MIS, my wife and I received the vets' organization newsletter, listing many other private donations.
As early as September 1997, over 638 contributions had been made by individuals and companies, many "in memory" of fallen comrades. Overall, I understand private donations now approximate $600,000.
Checking further, I found the item on the legislative books -- a supplemental budget appropriation of $1 million of state money way back in 1996 (Act 287). I then recalled a Maui News report about Maui County having contributed to the project. Our budget director confirmed that a grant of $500,000 was approved and released immediately, because the state made it a precondition for the release of state money.
Souki can claim some credit for the state money, together with others from the Maui legislative delegation in the House and Senate, even though the bill was passed before the last election and, hence, is "old stuff" in a political time frame.
As for the Maui County money, the credit should go to Mayor Lingle, the county council and Maui taxpayers. Not to Souki.
Fred Rohlfing
Kula, Maui
Incident shows true character of Lingle
They say character can be defined by doing what is right when no one is looking.In 1986, after the Diamond Resorts people had secured their lease and permits to build a first-class resort within the Wailea destination confines, they threw a party. It was an elegant affair -- with imported entertainment from Japan, a nine-course dinner and three specialty wines.
To top off what had already been a splendid evening, the Diamond Resorts people gave away several lavish fresh-water pearl necklaces as door prizes.
As numbers were called, I glanced at Linda Lingle's ticket on the table beside me. It was "the number." She quickly turned the ticket face down. I asked why, since it was just a door prize.
Her answer is one I will never forget. She said, "As long as I am on the public payroll, I don't accept gifts from anyone."
Isn't it wonderful that the people of Hawaii have an opportunity to elect a governor with such character?
James Wagoner
Kula, Maui
Cayetano/Hirono deserved endorsement of teachers
The HSTA made the right decision in endorsing Ben Cayetano and Mazie Hirono. When you review their accomplishments for public education, there is no other choice.Cayetano and Hirono have consistently stood up for public education. When other departments suffered through budget cuts of 20-30 percent, education was cut by only 3 percent. Yes, the 3 percent hurt, but it could have been much worse.
Teachers may like Linda Lingle now, but they should review the facts. It's better to stay with someone we know will be in our corner regardless, rather than someone who has already stated that education will have to wait until the economy improves.
Carol Nitta
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