Gas wholesalers are quick to raise prices

As expected, the wholesalers of gasoline have a cavalier approach about raising gas prices.

In the past I have complained about the exorbitant price-gouging done by our suppliers here in the islands. I fully expected Chevron to do just what it has done -- raise prices long before the fuel it must purchase even reaches the refinery.

And, if and when the price falls dramatically, do you think that Chevron will be just as quick to lower prices? Dreamer!

Dick Skarnes
Kailua-Kona
Via the Internet

Idealism of freshmen senators was quaint

Recently, five of the six freshmen senators were frustrated by the slow progress on what they viewed as key legislation and their inability to get these bills out of committee for discussion and vote by the full Senate. They mounted a mini-insurrection and called for the ouster of two committee chairpersons.These first-term legislators have a lot to learn.

Bills that are controversial, difficult or objected to by the unions must stay in committee for several sessions until they die. Legislation such as workers comp reform was kept off the Senate floor for about three sessions while small business begged for relief.

These freshmen senators also have to learn to take up an issue, such as same-sex marriage, so that they will waste a lot of time and can't pass key legislation.

I'm sure that Senate President Mizuguchi will take them aside later and give them a good talking-to. But he shouldn't be too hard on these senators.After a few sessions, their idealism will wear off, and they will learn the ropes.

Donald Adams
Via the Internet

Pada jury wasn't asked to consider lesser charge

I was one of the 12 conscientious citizens who have a vested interest in our community and who served on the Kimberly Pada jury. Each of us took our responsibility very seriously. Some of us suffered personal and financial hardship; each was affected to varying degrees by the graphic evidence and testimony presented.

Our lives were turned upside down for six weeks. We were asked to follow the instructions of the court to the letter, and we did. The jury instructions presented to us prior to deliberations took 45 minutes to read.

We were told which charges we could consider. We were never told to consider the charge of attempted manslaughter.

When our verdict was read, "guilty of attempted murder in the second degree," Pada and her defense team showed eerie relief and elation. We were shocked to learn that, because our answer to the "heinous" nature of the crime was not unanimous, it could reduce the punishment and even the charge to attempted manslaughter!

If there was going to be an option of convicting Pada of a lesser charge, why was that option not given to us? Why allow the defense to rely on legalese and trickery to "win" a decision that it was hoping for all along?

It is absolutely unfathomable that Pada's child, Reubyne Buentipo Jr., can lie as close to death as humanly possible, yet the convicted perpetrator can be sentenced to jail for as few as six to eight years. Justice?

Richard Field

"Here I am at 9 a.m. on the beach in winter, feeling warm sand between my toes, a warm breeze and warm drizzle on me. I think I'm in heaven." Brooke Burns ONE OF THE STARS OF "BAYWATCH" On Oahu for the announcement that the popular TV series will be filmed in the islands "Waikiki is a perfect fit for our franchise of beaches, bikes and bad guys." Bill Nuss CREATOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF "PACIFIC BLUE" On the USA Network TV series about bike patrol officers that will also be filmed in Hawaii

Poor public schools hurt standard of living

I lived in Honolulu from when I was nine months old until I went away to college, and have always harbored a desire to return. First, my plan was to return after getting my diploma. Then, after graduate school. Finally, I planned to return after marriage.

But now that I am married and am looking forward to having children, Honolulu looks like an impossibility.

I truly can appreciate what Hawaii has to offer children: outdoor activities, great weather year-round, friendly people, a laid-back culture, low crime rate and minimal race problems (emphasis on "minimal").

Hawaii's greatest weakness for child-rearing, though, is education. The statistics on the state's standardized test scores are disheartening.

If I were to return to Honolulu, I would have to pay for private schooling or do my children a disservice.

When comparing thebenefits of living in Hawaii to the costs (higher home prices and taxes, lower salaries, private school tuition), the decision is made for you.

Martin Lind
Los Angeles, Calif.
Via the Internet

Brain Drain Archive

Didn't everyone get the message? No to rail

What is with you and the politicians? A few years ago the voters nixed rails for Hawaii after considerable study and much expense by opposing groups, so the public might have a fair idea of just what would be involved in the cost and continued costs and the environmental pollution.

Do the media as well as the politicians who want this have such deep pockets and shallow brains that they think the individuals who opposed it and worked so hard to defeat are either gone or too broke to continue the fight?

Can't you guys come up with some new ideas, such as reducing government monopoly involved in public transportation and finding some solutions in the market place?

Dale Pratt

Waikiki Natatorium should be demolished

My father -- a graduate of McKinley High School, captain of the swim team and a World War I veteran -- used to take my brother and me to the "Nat" to swim, dive from the tower, and watch giant fish in the pools fronting the building. We so enjoyed being there!

As the years passed, however, my father expressed disappointment with the city for its lack of care for this "memorial." Prior to his passing in the early 1960s, he commented that the best thing to do with the "Nat" was to demolish it, since no one seemed to care anymore. It was not a safe place to swim. It had passed its prime.

Let's tear down the Natatorium and create open space. There would be more beach. Then create a memorial to Hawaii's World War I veterans. Count me in for a donation to something like that.

Joan C. Kaaua

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