Kind-hearted pilot was joy to work with
Peter Miller was one of the finest people and one of the finest pilots a person could have the privilege of working with.
Peter was the kind of person who gives one hope for humanity. He was a joy to be with and to fly with, he loved helping others, he was honest and fair, and he never had any agenda other than to be the best person and the best pilot that he could be. He was a true role model for his co-workers and friends.
Peter has repeatedly demonstrated his exemplary flying skills and judgment. We can unequivocally say that this terrible tragedy happened in spite of him, and not because of him. We know without question that he did everything possible to prevent the accident, and to prevent anyone in his flight path from being injured.
Peter, Marlena Yomes and Brien Eisaman were our good friends. We loved them dearly and we miss them with all of our hearts. Our love and sympathy go out to their families.
Randall Cummings, Larry Inouye, Carl Kanagawa, Koichiro Kono, Philip Lisonbee, Todd Loewen, Calvin Pow, Robert Ress, Ray Romero, Robert Sweet
Pilots, Hawaii Air Ambulance
Retiring legislator listened to deaf community
The Honorable Rep. Ezra Kanoho
* of Kauai plans to retire after this session with 20 years of public service. Having lobbied the Legislature as a deaf activist for many years during the last three decades, I know that Kanoho is one of the great ones. A real gentleman, a very caring, beautiful human being. It was always a pleasure to deal with Ezra when seeking his support. I have a lot of good memories of how he helped me to help the deaf community and others.
Take care of yourself, Ezra. Have a happy retirement. But remember, Ezra, if I need to pick your brains about the Legislature, I'm coming to Kauai so no hide from me. And, if you see me coming, please no run away and make me shame. Mahalo nui loa for a job well done.
Art Frank
Deaf activist
Waianae
North Shore can't take 3,500 more rooms
I am concerned about the proposal to build more hotels in the Kuilima/Kawela Bay area. It might look like a great business deal, but what about the local infrastructure? If we add 3,500 more hotel rooms out here, what will that do to the traffic that already comes to gridlock at certain times? Guests will need to come and go in their rental cars. Are the developers prepared to pay for a new four-lane road around the island to provide access to their destination?
Thirty-five hundred more hotel rooms will mean about 3,500 more employees coming and going to work. Where will they live? There is not a large unemployed or underemployed population out here to draw on.
Without realistic answers to these kinds of questions, this idea is way too impracticable.
Riley Moffat
Laie
Demand accountability from Congress, Bush
What's wrong with our country when the Congress rubber-stamps everything the presi- dent puts before it, including looking the other way when he admits breaking the law (as in the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens) or lies about our involvement in Iraq? Where is the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more" attitude of each American? We are being lied to and sold down the river by this president and the Republican-controlled Congress. Let's stand up and demand accountability by our government!
Lew Whitney
Hawi, Hawaii
Reeve's death shows danger of all smoke
The death of Dana Reeve, a nonsmoker, at age 44 from lung cancer draws attention to how secondhand tobacco smoke exposure increases the risk of developing that terrible disease. As a professional singer, Dana Reeve regularly performed in smoky venues, like bars and nightclubs.
The American Heart Association and countless other agencies and organizations have researched and documented the dangers of secondhand smoke for decades. Secondhand smoke can act as a trigger to a cardiac event, especially in people who already have atherosclerosis. In this day and age it seems almost incomprehensible that people are still subjected to this known deadly chemical to earn a pay check. The Hawaii Clear The Air Act (Senate Bill 3262, SD1) is a fantastic opportunity for Hawaii's workers and residents.
It is time that Hawaii lawmakers do what is right and protect all workers, including bar and nightclub employees, from this deadly mix of chemicals. As Dana Reeve's death reminds us, there is no time to waste.
Don Weisman
Hawaii Communications and Marketing/Government Affairs Director
American Heart Association