Why should state reap benefits of gas suit?
If the gasoline companies have overcharged Hawaii consumers $70 million for gasoline, the state should receive $500 million. Makes sense to me. Not!Mike Spengel
(Via the Internet)
ADA law is twisted to benefit lawyers
I applaud your Oct. 2 article, "Disabled suits eat at restaurateur." Eddie Flores should be commended for his courage in taking on a law that has gone afoul. There are many businesses and/or entities who suffer the same plight of L&L Drive-Inn, but they have opted to settle.The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted with good intentions. However, attorneys have twisted it for their own personal gain.
Howard Kan
(Via the Internet)
City should do a better job of providing basic services
I watched with interest as Mayor Jeremy Harris unveiled his plan to beautify Honolulu. But why not spend some of that Year 2000 money to maintain our city's basic services?For example, look at all we are spending to educate and train our police officers, just so they can be snapped up by other states. Why not pay them what they deserve so they can continue to keep our city safe?
I have complained to the city about keeping the grass cut and maintained in upper Wailupe Valley. I am trying to get the city to maintain this area on a scheduled basis, but city people tell me that they are short on manpower.
How about fixing our sewers? Why not maintain our present sewer system and stop charging us so much in fees?
The problems that need fixing need fixing today, not in the year 2000.
Gayle C. Nakama
(Via the Internet)
Yearbook lawsuits are getting ridiculous
Yet another lawsuit regarding a local yearbook (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 3). Whatever happened to our right to free speech? Or has it been replaced with our right to sue for any ridiculous reason to get rich quick?Being of Italian-American descent, I certainly wouldn't have sued if a yearbook had a picture of Mussolini, or maybe a caricature of a rotund, mustachioed Italian character eating a bowl of spaghetti. People need to get over their fragile sensitivities and must stop finding reasons to bilk people out of their hard-earned tax dollars.
I truly hope that whoever is in charge of this farce of a case will put a stop to it. If not, where will we draw the line?
Toni Davis
Kaneohe
(Via the Internet)
Cayetano is advocate of high tech on Kauai
The Star-Bulletin is beginning to show bias against Governor Cayetano. Why does it seem like my favorite newspaper is trying not to make banner news of articles of Cayetano's contributions to the field of high tech?West Kauai will turn into a high-tech community after the building of the Waimea High-Tech Center and Pioneer Seed's R&D building. When there is news about high tech, let's promote it to the max, regardless of any bias against the governor.
As high tech is trying to flourish in Hawaii, we need all the "umph" we can get from the media. Please do your part.
John Sydney Yamane
Waimea, Kauai
(Via the Internet)
Democratic 'values' are nothing to brag about
Although opinion polls indicate that the economy is the most important issue in this year's gubernatorial campaign, Ben Cayetano insists that it's really Democratic Party "values."Values? Right! Here are some exemplary examples: Joe Souki, Terrance Tom, Marshall Ige, Milton Holt, Henry Peters and Richard Wong.
It's the economy, and I'm not stupid.
Chuck Tokuhama
Mililani
Lingle won UHPA endorsement fairly
In a Sept. 21 letter, Lee Putnam expressed "shock" at the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly's endorsement of Linda Lingle for governor, stating "a small group" got carried away with rhetoric and "don't speak for those of us...who have taken an objective look at Governor Cayetano's performance." Putnam, however, offers no numbers to substantiate her claim.UHPA decided whom to endorse by submitting the question to a secret ballot of the membership. The union mailed out 2,776 ballots. Of the 1,054 ballots returned, 601 endorsed Mayor Lingle, 134 Governor Cayetano and 26 Frank Fasi; 299 voted not to endorse anyone and four voted for "others." It was the largest turnout of its kind in UHPA history, and Lingle received more votes than the others combined.
Putnam and others accuse the union of not using "academic" values on which to base its endorsement. But any union should first base its decisions on democratic values; it should abide by the wishes of its membership.
Khal Spencer
UHPA Department Representative
(Via the Internet)
Mayor Lingle takes credit for everything that's right
Linda Lingle seems to take credit for all the good and none of the bad that has happened on Maui. She speaks of creating over 5,000 jobs. I would like her to explain how she did that.In her debate with Frank Fasi, Lingle implied that Frank was a liar and that he should get his facts straight. The following day Frank's recollection of her statement was found to be true.
Yet she did not apologize. I want a governor who isn't afraid of being wrong and admitting an error.
Bill Doi Jr.
(Via the Internet)
Cayetano's campaign is too negative
I am impressed with Linda Lingle's campaign style. She has taken the best programs and portions from former and present candidates, and added a style all her own. I also appreciate her unbiased responses to her challengers.About a week or so ago, the Honolulu Community College campus was given the opportunity to hear the governor talk, and I expected to hear a lot less negative remarks about his opponent. It was disheartening to hear a public representative criticize and imply things about others.
Anelalani Livingston
Punaluu
(Via the Internet)
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