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State Senate wants to legislate everything

Why do state senators continue to champion preposterous bills, yet fail to address the tough economic issues still facing Hawaii? First, Sen. Rod Tam wants "naps and snacks." Now Sen. Norman Mizuguchi wants to intrude on our dying days.

Your Feb. 17 article, "Bill would mandate organ donation," ran on A-4 but deserved front-page placement as an example of legislative idiocy run amok. As a registered organ donor, I am outraged that Mizuguchi thinks the state has a right to interfere with this most personal decision.

What's next? How about legislation mandating state-specified body upkeep: what activities we participate in, what types and how much food we eat, when and how long we sleep, how often we brush our teeth?

Why not simply eliminate free choice, just so bureaucrats can harvest healthy organs at our demise? Give me a break.

Kerry A. Krenzke

Organ donation is wonderful legacy

There is another side to the picture of the fellow in the hospital waiting room being stalked by the gentleman ready to sign up any available organ donations. That side is the many people who are awaiting the donations.

Organ donation is a wonderful legacy to be able to leave when we die.

Janine Brand
Hauula

Gambling should be called what it is

Please, call it what it is: "gambling" not "gaming." It's not a play thing, not people friendly. It's not family-enhancing or revenue-creating.

It's a regressive tax on the poor, an addiction that can destroy people, and a sure way to gut state funding for needed programs. All with the false promise of "dollars for education."

Juliet Begley

UH is still not adhering to Title IX rules

More than 20 years have passed since I filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights regarding the University of Hawaii's lack of compliance with Title IX. It is absolutely incredible that UH is still not in compliance.

Even though the UH Board of Regents has approved implementation of a women's track and field program, Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida is now suggesting canoe paddling (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 15). According to Yoshida, a Title IX consultant recommended the sport.

UH shouldn't have to hire a consultant. Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, UH assistant athletic director in charge of women's athletics, is more than qualified to make decisions regarding Title IX compliance.

Yoshida's argument that the track field is in poor condition does not justify implementing canoe paddling. The women's athletic program would be better served by implementing the track and field program now.

Don't wait another 20 years for UH to be fully compliant with Title IX.

Faith P. Evans
Former State Representative Kailua

Quotables "I'm pleased we've won. I'd like to see this be the end of racial preferences concerning public funds and facilities." Harold "Freddy" Rice BIG ISLAND RANCHER WHO CHALLENGED WHO CAN VOTE FOR OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TRUSTEES On the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the law letting only Hawaiians vote in OHA elections "When the culture and way of life of a people are all but engulfed by a history beyond their control, their sense of loss may extend down through generations; and their dismay may be shared by many members of the larger community. As the State of Hawaii attempts to address these realities, it must, as always, seek the political consensus that begins with a sense of shared purpose." Anthony M. Kennedy U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE An excerpt from the 7-2 majority opinion on Rice vs. Cayetano

Granville Island design doesn't fit Kewalo site

The Feb. 5 Insight article by Alex Achimore about Kakaako touched heavily on Vancouver's Granville Island project and how it might be perfect for the Kewalo area.

I personally traveled to Granville Island last March, as I had heard much about it. I wanted to see if we might include some of its better features in our own Kewalo Pointe proposal.

In my opinion, if you were to pick up the entire Granville Island development and move it to the Kewalo site, this town and most of its people would be up in arms. Their disapproving shouts would be legitimate.

Granville Island is basically nothing more than a public market selling fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and bakery products. Like other shopping areas, it is surrounded by retail stores and a few restaurants. As for recreation, only a small electric boat system allows passengers to meander around the gray water.

Furthermore, never let go of your children's hands while visiting Granville Island. They could get run over -- either by motorists searching for parking or by the concrete ready-mix trucks that routinely park and drive through the area.

D.G. "Andy" Anderson

Reader knows his flag-flying etiquette

I applaud Lester Forrest for his Feb. 11 letter and for the respect he has for the American flag. The U.S. flags at Ala Moana Center -- at Sears and Liberty House -- are displayed correctly, as are those at McDonald's restaurants.

The American flag may be flown at the same level as other flags when flown at its own right, or on the left as seen by the viewer, which is the case at Sears and Liberty House.

When the American flag is flown in the center among other flags, it must be flown higher, as it is at McDonald's.

Howard S. Okada

Sex offender facility is too close to schools

It seems that the people of Pearl City have no say whatsoever when it comes to placing a treatment program for teen-age sex offenders at Waimano Home. In his arrogance, Governor Cayetano won't even consider the opinions of community members, most of whom are in strong opposition to this project.

Please, someone, help us in any way you can, even if it means getting district exceptions for our students to go to other schools. I don't want my own child to be in such close proximity to sex offenders.

Roberta Mindoro
Pearl City

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