Inouye deserved to get health-care award
Those of us in the Hawaii Psychological Association were dismayed to hear of the American Medical Association's decision to withdraw its award to Sen. Daniel Inouye for leadership in promoting health care for all.Inouye's inspired support for these initiatives clearly enhances access to services and essential medications for vulnerable families that are traditionally underserved.
We appreciate his moral courage to maintain such leadership, often in the face of personal attacks and partisan posturing.
Our association extends a big mahalo to Inouye for his leadership in improving the quality of health and mental health services for our community.
James L. Bibb
President, Hawaii
Psychological Association
Think rationally about need for a Con Con
There's a lot of rhetoric these days about why we should or should not vote for a constitutional convention. Most of it is highly subjective in that we are being urged to vote -- or not -- for a convention based on the probable effect on a particular subject, like same-sex marriage or Hawaiian rights.That would be a mistake. While we wade through the blitz of partisan rhetoric on various specific issues, remember three important points:
1) Voting for a Con Con is just that: voting for a Con Con. We are not voting for or against any particular subject or group. To suggest otherwise is wrong.
2) If we vote to hold a Con Con, we will democratically elect delegates to represent us in reviewing the state Constitution and recommending various amendments. There will be plenty of time to hear prospective delegates and how they stand on issues.
3) At the conclusion of a Con Con, we will get to vote on the amendments that our delegates recommend. Only then do they become part of our Constitution.
There are two general reasons for voting in favor of a Con Con:
To further limit the state Legislature. State constitutions don't grant power, they limit power. Without our Constitution, our Legislature could enact virtually anything it wants, except in areas like declaring war and conducting foreign affairs. Therefore, if we want to limit what our Legislature can do without going back to voters for permission, we must put it in the Constitution.
If we feel that either of these categories needs to be addressed at this time, we should vote for a Con Con. Otherwise, we should pass this time around.
David L. Callies
Rich Miano reneged on decision to run for House
Voters in the 15th representative district were confused during the primary election. We believed that incumbent David Stegmaier was running unopposed, as Rich Miano had issued a public statement withdrawing his candidacy.We were not aware that current election law states that a candidate may withdraw for any reason no later than the day immediately following the deadline to file nomination papers. After that date, withdrawal may be only for reason of ill health, and not later than the 20th day prior to the election.
Ill health was not the reason given for Miano's withdrawal and the deadline passed. His name appeared on the primary ballot and will be on the general. The law kept Miano a candidate -- and he now has changed his mind about running. This situation speaks for itself.
It's time to review and amend the law. This area deserves a representative who will stand behind spoken words and be committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of elected office.
Marge Koyama
Contingency law permitted gas probe
Your Oct. 2 article wrongly asserted the governor's answer to why we waited until now to sue the oil companies for fixing gas prices and using Hawaii consumers to fatten their profits. You reported the governor saying that it "had more to do with the new law enacted last year that gives the state access to previously inaccessible financial data from the oil companies."What the governor really said was, "What made this possible was the passage a year or so ago of a new law which allows the state to hire counsel like Mr. Hosie's firm on a contingent basis. And that's the only way we could get outside counsel to come in because otherwise the lawsuit would be unaffordable to the state and the risks (too) great." The law was Act 73 of the 1995 Legislature.
Hawaii's consumers have been paying 30-40 cents a gallon more than mainland drivers. We are finally in a position to do something about it. In the past, we did not have the resources to take on the oil companies.
More importantly, we passed a law that lets the state hire outside attorneys on a contingency basis. My office advertised nationally in March for an attorney who specializes in anti-trust violations. We hired Spencer Hosie, who comes highly recommended by the state of Alaska.
We are not going to stop doing the people's business, whether it is a month before or the day after the general election.
Margery S. Bronster
State Attorney General
Politicians should strive to keep campaigns clean
You were absolutely correct in your Oct. 1 editorial about smear campaigns. The voters would appreciate a return to the discussion of issues rather than more mud-slinging from either party.Negative advertising, name-calling and trying to smear someone with malicious rumors do not work in Hawaii. Cec Heftel had the personal experience from within his own party and knows full well what can result.
Linda Lingle is running a good, clean campaign. The earlier rumor campaign about her flopped and fell right into the lap of those who started it.
Teresa Berthiaume
Wahiawa
High-tech faithful should be rewarded
As a local high-tech company, we applaud Governor Cayetano's efforts to create a high-tech park in Kakaako. The "clean," diverse nature of high technology is ideal for Hawaii, and it is important to bring in new businesses.However, we disagree with the governor's plan to provide "tax holidays" and reduced lease rents to attract new businesses, as this will put existing local high-tech companies at a competitive disadvantage.
According to the High Technology Development Corp., more than 400 high-tech companies in the state contribute more than $1 billion into the economy. Many of them have been here for years. The majority weren't wooed with tax incentives or low rents. The investments made came out of their pockets, not from taxpayers.
If the governor truly wants to create a world-class high-tech industry, he should support the 400 high-tech businesses already in the state. They are the backbone of Hawaii's technology sector.
Ned Dana
Founder and Principal Consultant
Rare & Dear Inc.
Eleele, Kauai
Life as Washington cop is better than in Hawaii
As a former HPD officer now working outside Seattle, I can only echo the statements of the officer quoted in Diane Chang's Oct. 19 column. I spent six and a half years at HPD, was a field training officer and was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for the John Miranda standoff.My wife and I left Hawaii in October 1997. We hate the fact that we have no friends or family here. But we can afford what we want, and we can buy a plane ticket home or fly the family over.
I receive e-mail daily from current HPD officers and gladly tell them what they need to do to get here. I think Mayor Harris and the City Council will be in for a big shock next year. I'm betting 100 officers will relocate to Seattle agencies.
Mayor Harris doesn't seem to mind what is happening, and the HPD officers notice his reaction to media questions. They can only conclude that nothing will change for them. But a lot will change for the residents of Honolulu when nobody answers the call.
Scott Slagle
Redmond, Wash.
(Via the Internet)
'Look into my eyes' hypnosis is malarkey
I have more than 38 years of experience in hypnosis. I have a doctorate in psychology, am a graduate of Gracie Institute of Hypnosis, and am certified by Gracie, American Institute of Hypnosis. Therefore, I am responding to some misstatements in your Sept. 29 article, "Time Out of Mind."
Alonzo DeMello
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