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Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Tam is dreaming about
need for naps
After spending four hours in gridlock traffic in Nanakuli, I learned about Sen. Rod Tam trying to justify naps and free snacks for state employees. The $1 million question is: What upset me more? Tam's proposal or gridlock on the west side?
The answer is easy. It's Senator Tam, and that's my final answer, Regis!
Instead of using $600,000 for "morale incentives" for state workers, how about using that money to lessen Hawaii's health program shortfalls?
Michael K. Griffith
The last thing I want is frivolous wasting of my hard-earned tax money. There's nothing preventing state employees from napping during their lunch hour and purchasing their own snacks.Most disturbing is Tam's idea of spending more than $600,000 for refreshments in state offices, so it will "promote hospitality for the public who visit a workplace."
Is he saying that I will not be treated with common courtesy simply because the state worker there has not had his/her afternoon cookie?
If this is how Tam wants to spend tax money, he should begin cleaning out his office right now. Oh, and here's a suggestion on how to spend that $600,000: education!
Oscar Hernandez
Rod Tam's proposal for naps and refreshments for state employees is a typical example of a politician's mentality.One can well imagine how this privilege would be abused by state employees. It takes almost 10 minutes for people to fall asleep, plus several more for the awakening process.
As for spending $600,00 for refreshments, that suggestion doesn't even merit addressing.
I suspect that Tam is introducing scatterbrain proposals like these in an effort to cloud the fact that he voted to oust former Attorney General Margery Bronster. I have not forgotten that act of infamy.
W.W. Robinson
The Legislature seems to be concerned with low morale of state employees. Hence, Sen. Rod Tam's idea to allow naps and snacks during the workday.This is inane. Low morale is caused by poor leadership, poor communication, poor explanation of the mission. Tam should look at the root causes of the problem.
A.K. "Bud" Ho
Napa, Calif.
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Quotables
"Anything that went wrong on the set, Regis kept telling me, 'It's because you're from Hawaii!' He was joking. But I think he wanted me to get in the hot seat." Ryan Hamadon
First player from hawaii to make it to finals of TV's "Who wants to be a millionaire?"
On how he was a favorite target of ribbing from game show host Regis Philbin
"I yelled out, 'Eh, dude, you better get back there 'cuz you're gonna ruin your life.'" Steve Buell
Witness to fatal hit-and-run accident in waianae
Testifying about what he said to Victor Valoroso, charged with second-degree negligent homicide in the death of 10-year-old Jerry Kekahuna
Cayetano should hold onto governorship
If legislators want to do something worthwhile this session, they should amend the state Constitution so Governor Cayetano can run for another term, if he so desires. He needs more time to undo the mess that his useless predecessor inflicted on Hawaii.Russell Oshiro
Waihee is the one to blame for woes
As the legislative session begins, and there isn't enough money to pay for basic government functions, keep in mind who is responsible for this lack of funds.Former Gov. John Waihee ran a $500-million surplus into a $500-million deficit and let the economy and education of our children go straight to hell.
While we are justified in blaming Governor Cayetano and our legislators for their inaction, remember who caused this mess in the first place: John Waihee.
Roy Frank Westlake
HPD acted correctly in Nanakuli standoff
Once again, Hawaii has a good reason to be thankful for the Honolulu Police Department. Last week's barricade situation in Nanakuli ended sadly when Dominic Kealoha killed himself. But it could have been worse. Kealoha could have taken police officers and innocent bystanders with him, if not for HPD.This tragedy harkens back to Jan. 30, 1997, when attorney George Parker, just convicted of corruptly trying to influence drug dealer Frank Moon, holed up in an alley off Alakea Street in downtown Honolulu. Just as with Kealoha, Parker caused traffic to be tied up for hours and caused disruption to numerous businesses and government offices.
In both cases, police used the approach that experts across the country believe is the best way to deal with hostage/barricade situations: Take it slow, keep the suspect talking and avoid the use of offensive force unless a life is being directly threatened.
Both Parker and Kealoha appeared bent on suicide. Parker tried to get police to do it for him by pretending he had a gun under his coat and rushing officers. Luckily for him, HPD had acquired non-lethal weapons, which were used to knock Parker down with only minor injuries.
On Friday morning, Kealoha ran out of his car away from the police. Again, HPD used non-lethal projectiles to try to stop him. This only slowed him, and Kealoha fatally shot himself.
Imagine if the police had acted differently. There is little doubt that HPD sharpshooters had the capability to shoot and kill Kealoha as he sat in his stolen car. If so, those officers and HPD would now be called cold-blooded murderers.
Steven S. Alm
U.S. Attorney
Press showed little sympathy in standoff
It saddens me that the news media sensationalized the hostage standoff on Farrington Highway. They turned human beings against each other instead of reporting compassionately.The media should look beyond the situation rather than merely covering the outcry against major inconvenience. Dominic Keaoloha was someone's son, father and significant other. Their suffering is now compounded by his suicide.
I commend the police for doing their utmost to keep everyone safe. Their negotiators did their best in trying to talk Kealoha into surrendering. In closing, my condolences to his family.
Madonna M. Dizon
Maili
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