'State of the Unions' was an informative series

Your series on unions was great! You put into words things I have felt for years. Maybe it will help a few of the "blind" to see and vote with their own minds for a change. Mahalo.

Jill Painter Christierson
Haiku, Maui
(Via the Internet)

Why is the Hula Bowl featuring country music?

The Hula Bowl should stop trying to be another mainland football bowl game featuring country western music. In its early years, the Hula Bowl had an all-star band made up of the best high school band students. Now these hard-working students have been relegated to the pregame show, along with all those beautiful hula dancers.

The message Hula Bowl organizers seem to be giving the people of Hawaii is that our musicians and dancers are not good enough for prime time.

Pattie Najita-Dunn
(Via the Internet)

Panel should investigate death of Kenneth Brewer

On Nov. 5, the convicted killer of Kenneth Brewer walked away a free man. Stephen Bright never denied he killed Brewer. His defense was merely that he was upset that Brewer made sexual advances toward him after a night of drinking at Hula's, a well-known gay bar.

When will the governor call for a blue-ribbon panel to investigate this tragedy? This is a hate crime because of the terrorist manner in which Bright killed Brewer.

Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
Makakilo
(Via the Internet)

Marcoses don't deserve continued rude treatment

I was not surprised by Imelda Marcos' acquittal of the graft conviction imposed on her. Her appeal, heard by a full court of eight judges, revealed the truth. Now Imelda is free.

The bottom line, in brief, is this: The United States wanted Marcos to be its yes-man. But during martial law, he defied the U.S. The U.S. then conspired to overthrow his government.

Benigno Aquino was returned to the Philippines as a sacrificial lamb. The U.S. and relatives of Aquino knew that he would be assassinated. When he was shot to death, Aquino became the calalyst to unseat Marcos.

With the help of the U.S. and Cardinal Sin, they helped install Mrs. Aquino as president. Because of her incompetence to govern, her regime almost fell apart.

I also believe that the agencies of the U.S. kidnapped the Marcoses and brought them to Hawaii. And now the Marcoses are required to pay taxes. Are we that rude and arrogant to make the Marcoses pay taxes? None of the Marcoses worked here, so what's the big idea, Uncle Sam?

Bernardo P. Benigno
Mililani

Cayetano shouldn't be giving rights to gays

With so many divisive problems facing the people of Hawaii, why on Earth does Governor Cayetano find it necessary to announce that he intends to favor a plan to give gays and lesbians some state recognition, which we presume will bring them under the broad tent of coverage in many areas?

It seems to me that the voters spoke loud and clear on Nov. 3. They said that this proposed action on the part of the governor is not wanted at this time.

Robert L. Davis

Gabbard should take a lesson from Cayetano

Mike Gabbard of Save Traditional Marriage showed his true colors on TV debates. The governor proposes a domestic partnership law to give people in non-traditional marriages the same rights and benefits as he has. But, no -- Gabbard wants it all his way, nothing for anybody but those who agree with him and his narrow thinking.

Thank God the governor has more compassion and understanding.

Bill Healy

Hyde is unrelenting in pursuing Clinton

U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde's evangelical crusade to see to Bill Clinton's punishment by impeachment -- notwithstanding other institutions more well-suited to that task and the fact that the American people have had enough already -- gives new meaning (and spelling) to the word "hydebound."

Richard S. Miller
Professor of Law Emeritus
William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawaii-Manoa

Support local merchants, not big box retailers

Since the arrival in Hawaii of big box mainland companies like Walmart and K-Mart, there have been many layoffs and closings of local businesses. Although they bring bargain prices and jobs to our struggling economy, they also force local stores out of the market.

Oftentimes, these local stores are family-owned businesses or companies that have served Hawaii for many years. For example, when Eagle Hardware entered the local market, familiar stores like Ace Hardware and City Mill lost customers.

Now, with Home Depot set to open next year, these stores will battle with yet another mainland competitor to keep their customers and to remain in business.

We need to support our local businesses instead of filling the million-dollar pockets of mainland companies. We need to put local money into local pockets and regain control of our retail market.

If we don't help our local businesses survive these rough economic times, we will soon have to deal with more unemployment and less local stores to shop at.

Cheryl Lee
Mililani

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