Ward's idea will put maritime workers on dole
Gene Ward says he wants to eliminate 9,000 Hawaii maritime jobs by abolishing the Jones Act. By shifting these workers to the welfare rolls, Ward thinks he will save money. Ward now compares himself to Linda Lingle. It doesn't take an orangutan to see that, Mr. Ward, you're no Linda Lingle.Neil Dietz
Mililani
Maybe Con Con isn't such a bad idea after all
At first I was against the constitutional convention. Now I want it.Never trust any group of people who collects money to spend to tell the rest of us that there is no compelling reason for us to look at our state Constitution.
What is in the state Constitution that they are afraid we will find?
Vote "yes" and the rest of us will know the answer.
Henry W. Aylward
Aiea
Con Con would offer chance to introduce initiative rights
Have you ever signed a petition? You know the process: Someone develops an idea for a good law, gets it signed by the correct number of registered voters and, thereby, qualifies the issue to be placed on the ballot.No? Voters in other states have that right. Why not Hawaii?
Why do we never hear our elected representatives raise the voter initiative issue? Because our politicians are petrified by the thought that they may lose some of the power of position and cronyism they've surrounded themselves with over the years.
Wake up, Hawaii! Our politicians have let us down. Our constitution provides for periodic review and improvement using the constitutional convention process.
Vote "yes" on the constitutional convention because it's our right, indeed, it's our duty to protect our freedom.
Ed Sandstrom
City charter amendments are difficult to decipher
I had to strain my eyes to read the city's fold-out pamphlet explaining the City Charter amendments. After reading it, I still could not understand it. I am a college graduate so I'm not exactly dense. But the pamphlet did more to confuse than clarify the issues.A city official said on the radio that it is the public's responsibility to get the information on the amendments before voting. To make an intelligent decision, I need the pros and cons on each issue. Why didn't the city take out an ad in the daily paper, like the state did, giving a simple explanation of each amendment and reasons it should be passed? It could have included the view of the opposition.
I plan to vote "no" on every amendment I don't understand.
Joyce Loo
Incumbent is staunch supporter of education
I have been an educator for over 25 years -- all at public schools on the mainland or in Hawaii. Before that, I was a student in Hawaii's public school system, and then four years at UH-Manoa.I know firsthand how crucial good public education is to the well-being of our state and country. Because of Governor Cayetano, even in the worst economic times, public school programs have been protected, teaching positions saved, student learning enhanced because of seven additional school days, and quality teachers kept. New teachers are being attracted to the profession because of better pay -- a 17 percent raise.
In 1994, Cayetano stepped into a difficult economic period because of the loss of the sugar industry and global forces beyond Hawaii's control. He took on the job of cutting government positions and eliminating welfare waste. But he kept education and services for our keiki, the elderly and needy families at the top of his list and closest to his heart.
Evelyn Aczon Hao
Principal,
Kuhio Elementary
New faces are needed on Board of Education
Twelve years is a long time for an elected official to make a difference. Francis McMillen and Karen Knudsen have each served on the Board of Education for 12 years. Each wants to be re-elected for another four years.It's time for change. We need new faces to lead us into the 21st century. The public has been crying for accountability in the Department of Education. Maybe we should give others a chance at running the BOE.
Every election year, education is brought up as a high priority. Politicians all speak of improving education when, in actuality, the real difference is not made by elected officials but in our BOE.
Let's put our votes where they will make a difference. Voting by name recognition can and will hurt our desires to move in a new direction.
Jo Ann Inouye
Mililani
All incumbents should be ousted on Tuesday
Every politician who is in office now should be voted out. It doesn't matter your party affiliation -- just don't vote for whoever is currently in office.Send a message to our newly elected officials: if they don't do the job, they will be thrown out, too. After all the whining and moaning, don't put the same people back in.
Joe Sullivan
Candidates don't seem to care about the deaf
I am again dismayed, but not surprised, that the leaders of our community chose to exclude deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people.As an involved citizen, I was looking forward to the recent televised debates between Mayor Lingle and Governor Cayetano. But my ability to learn more about the issues they are promoting was barred, since they chose not to close caption or interpret the debates.
It is clear to me, after reading the various publications produced by both candidates for governor, that people with disabilities, especially those who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing, are not valued.
My colleagues and I have been singularly unimpressed with any of the candidates. While we may be "silent," our vote is not..
Janet E. Johanson
Executive Director
Hawaii Services on Deafness
Unions are using scare tactics against Lingle
Hawaii's unions have played a major role in my life -- from plantation days to soup kitchens to my membership in the HSTA and HSTAR. However, the unions in this state have evolved into powerful organizations that no longer represent the "voice" of the working class, as they would like us to believe.The HSTA endorsement of Ben Cayetano over Linda Lingle, in spite of overwhelming support by the members for Lingle, is a clear example of this. The unions view Lingle as a major threat to the power they have over our government. As a result, they have blitzed the media with radio spots and TV commercials to discredit her.
Also, the word is out that there will be a massive layoff of government workers should she become governor. Judging from Lingle's record and character, this is false information with the intent to mislead the public.
Audrey Kawaa
Mililani
Lingle is good at talk but short on substance
I watched Mayor Lingle on Fox 2's televised debate, hoping to learn about her and her ideas. All I learned was that she has good command of the English language. Our governor has to do more than talk; we need a person with real substance. Lingle just doesn't make the grade in that regard.Ken Post
(Via the Internet)
Cayetano has it right: It's the values, stupid!
It has been the fashion this political season to pooh-pooh social and cultural values. It's sad that so many people think promoting business profits is the only measure of progress.Yes, we need more and better jobs, but not at the expense of our heritage, our concern for others or the spirit that makes us one family. Being a whole family does not mean forcing everyone into a cookie-cutter mold. It means supporting diversity and seeing the human strengths in multicultural values.
To me, Ben Cayetano stands for these beliefs and for economic improvements. It would be a shame to throw out the great social and cultural improvements that Hawaii has seen over the years just because of an economic dip.
Ted Subia Mina
Cayetano is struggling to discredit Lingle
Governor Cayetano is trying to make something out of the fact that he got more votes on Maui than Lingle did in the primary. He hopes to persuade voters that Maui "rejected" Mayor Lingle. The reality is quite different.Democrats always outpoll Republicans in the primary on Maui. Unlike most of the state, this year there were several hotly contested Democratic primary election races on Maui.
Cayetano's showing on Maui was actually weak. In Lingle's past races for mayor, the Democratic candidates have drawn more than twice as many votes in the primary as she did, only to lose to her in November.
That Cayetano still runs ads proclaiming his "win" on Maui indicates how little he really has to say.
Richard R. Clifton
Governor is dedicated to improving life for families
I found it surprising that, during the first gubernatorial debate, Mayor Lingle said Governor Cayetano's ads citing his experience raising a family were offensive and "beneath the dignity of the governor to run something like that."The governor is a family man, which is the main reason he focused on the economy, education, health care and the environment. Governor Cayetano will forever take pride in his Kalihi roots and his love for his family, which extends to his care for all families in Hawaii.
These are indeed the very essence of his 24 years in public service and will continue to propel him for years to come.
Normita Fenn
Democratic machine has eroded party values
I am a lifelong Democrat. But the past few years I find myself questioning the party and find that the values of fairness, acceptance, equality and openness are better exhibited by the Republicans.The Democrats' vitality, creativity and commitment to the people have eroded and been replaced with a huge, sluggish, unresponsive government machine. A maze of rules, regulations, laws and processes have taken control of many of Hawaii's citizens' actions.
Hawaii needs a more receptive government. Hawaii needs Linda Lingle.
Ed MacDowell
Kapaa, Kauai
Real estate isn't good indicator of recovery
Governor Cayetano's letter to the editor Oct. 24 was revealing. Blaming Hawaii's economic woes on "external shocks," he stated that "there are good things...in Hawaii's economy...Real estate sales are up."Why wouldn't they be? Due to the booming mainland economy, mortgage interest rates are at their lowest in almost 30 years. A person would be a fool not to buy Hawaii real estate at these depressed prices. Does this mean our economy is rebounding? Apparently, the governor thinks so.
Marge Young
Ewa Beach
Lingle's plan is short on substantive details
Did anybody notice during the gubernatorial debate that Linda Lingle's plan didn't say one word about Hawaiians? Does that tell you anything?But that's not all. Her plan didn't offer any detail either. She just says things will get better when she's elected, as if that's all there was to it.
The governor has way more experience in doing this job, and the differences are showing. Ben is a promise-keeper and Mazie Hirono has been the best lieutenant governor we have had yet. Ben and Mazie. No contest.
Sam Kakazu
Kaneohe
Give Lingle a chance to give girls a lift
I believe that Linda Lingle can change all the craziness that is going on in our state. Give ladies a chance to show what they know and maybe someday all of us could get along just fine. Linda Lingle would be a great governor.Kelsie Chin
Hahaione Elementary, Age 9
I'm voting for Linda Lingle because I think she will be a good governor for Hawaii. I'm happy I'm learning how to vote so when I get older I will know how to vote. I feel like I'm an important person.
Adrianna Kinholt
Hahaione Elementary, Age 10
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Letter to the Editor
