Aloha Stadium is woefully low tech

For years, state and city administrations have touted Hawaii as a hi-tech mecca. So it was embarrassing at the Pro Bowl when visiting journalists and photojournalists asked us local photographers for assistance and all we can do was point to a phone line at Aloha Stadium as our "hi-tech" connection to the cyber world.

At the Turtle Bay Resort for the recent senior PGA Turtle Bay Golf Championships, every journalist/photojournalist had a dedicated high-speed Internet, and the hotel had wireless Internet capabilities.

I respectfully suggest that Governor Lingle and Mayor Hannemann coordinate with the very helpful people at the Stadium Authority, Oceanic Cable and CompUSA to implement immediate improvements, as the stadium is frequently a showcase to visiting journalists from around the world.

Mahalo to sergeant for his reports from Iraq

To 1st Sgt. Robert Jennings ("A soldier's return," Star-Bulletin, March 6):

On behalf of myself and other Hawaiian expatriates who are living in Seattle, Wash., we bid you a fare aloha. We did not want you to leave your station without our saying, "Aloha. Mahalo. Fare Ye Well."

Because of your down-to-earth reporting, along with your professional and expert military awareness, we were able to follow the troops in a way that has never been possible before. You deserve an award. In the absence of a material one, we offer you our respect, our thanks, and our aloha. Mahalo nui loa, 1st Sgt. Robert Jennings.

Democrats are looking out for the homeless

In his Feb. 12 letter, David Bohn suggested that I was indifferent to "resolving" Hawaii's homeless problem. I would like to set the record straight.

At the core of the Democrats' agenda is the belief that shelter is a basic necessity, and that no one should be forced to live on the street. As the House majority leader, I co-sponsored House Bill 1303, also known as the Omnibus Housing Bill, with 40 other Democrats to address the entire spectrum of Hawaii's housing needs. This bill will help increase the supply of low-income rental housing in the state, and provide more resources to nonprofit community groups that provide housing and services to the homeless.

It also establishes measurable goals to determine whether more of Hawaii's homeless are being transitioned to permanent housing.

HB 1303 was heard by the Joint Committee on Housing and Water, Land and Ocean Affairs. We received suggestions and support from government bodies, Realtors and various housing, land use and human services advocates throughout the state. We are addressing the homeless problem and are working with the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board, Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz, Mayor Hannemann, Governor Lingle and Senate President Robert Bunda to help our fellow citizens.

I will continue to work on ensuring that the neediest among us are not forgotten, and welcome Bohn's assistance.

New leaders must clean up sewer mess

The former mayor betrayed taxpayers by using sewer fees as a slush fund. The money did not go to repairs or upkeep of the sewage system. Instead, he starved the wastewater branch. So why should we pay higher sewage fees if they don't go for the intended use?

I give credit to the superintendents and employees of the wastewater division who have weathered the storm. They have not created the problem, even though they have gotten the blame.

If the new mayor and City Council approve hikes in sewage fees, then there should be many checks and balances on expending the funds. There also should be better planning and design so that the cost of projects does not increase as they progress, such as the Sand Island Waste-water Treatment Plant. I call it the big white elephant of unproven technologies.

Pearl Harbor survivor tells it straight

Ten cheers for Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Emory (three is not enough!) for his straight talk on the absurd retail tent next to the Arizona Memorial ("New tent at Arizona offensive to some," Star-Bulletin, Jan. 30).

That 83-year-old has more guts and integrity than a boatload of mealy-mouthed politicians and bureaucrats! How could any public official approve a shopping mall right next to a national shrine and burial place that is known to people around the world?

That tent looks like something right out of the International Market Place in Waikiki, which is where it belongs. What is next? A swap meet at Punchbowl National Cemetery?

This insanity must be corrected before Hawaii becomes the laughingstock of the world!

Isle lawmakers should help fix Social Security

Social Security is in bad shape and something must be done. Our congressmen and senators need to quit sticking their heads in the sand and telling us it's not that bad. Instead, they need to take action and fix it! I should get all or most of my benefits, but my children and grandchildren most likely will not.

Instead of putting down the president's plan and saying, "Don't worry," our elected officials need to start saying, "Here's a better idea," and show their constituents they really do care instead of worrying about being re-elected. Oh, and while they're at it, maybe they can straighten out their petty, party politics; it's what's wrong with America!

GOP's real objective is to kill Social Security

Recently, CNN reported on a group of Republican protesters who were chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, Social Security has got to go" outside of Sen. Rick Santorum's town meeting on Social Security in Philadelphia.

In the meeting, Santorum, the leading supporter of privatization in the Senate, declared that "it is time for a Republican solution to Social Security." But the Republicans gathered outside were very clear about where that plan ultimately leads. For Bush's conservative base, privatization of Social Security is just the first step toward getting rid of the program entirely.

The GOP opposed Social Security when it started and has opposed its expansion. One of the leaders of the push to privatize, Grover Norquist of the extreme-right Americans for Tax Reform, told the Los Angeles Times, "Social Security should be reformed not because the system is going broke but because it's a lousy program."

We must make our congressional delegation realize the ultimate goal of Bush's plan to "save" Social Security.