Hawaii's wrongdoers get off too lightly
The sentence given by Judge Karl Sakamoto to Ronald Kubo is an insult to justice (
Star-Bulletin, June 15). He was driving under the influence and caused an innocent person's death. One year in jail for killing anyone is a joke. He should have gotten the maximum sentence, not less than 10 years.
Only three months ago Judge Sakamoto sentenced Kendall Edmonds to 100 days in prison for killing Michael Gillum in a fight. That's a mere three months.
Three years ago Michael Ma-tsumoto escaped prison after he was convicted of illegally contributing $139,500 to Mayor Harris' campaign. Sakamoto sentenced him to 300 hours of community service, which amounts to 121/2 days. And as another perk his record will be wiped clean if he stays out of trouble for five years. How nice.
The message is loud and clear: "Do the crime and no worry, you'll do such little time." Hawaii's justice is embarrassing.
Eugene Cordero
Pearl City
Law and order collapses as tent cities thrive
While driving down the Leeward Coast, anyone can see the countless tents of law-breaking people increasing daily. How do you increase homelessness? You just allow people to avoid paying rent and live free of charge on public beachfront property. This is a breakdown of law and order, and unchecked it will soon become an avalanche that is impossible to control, just like the illegal immigration of tens of millions of mainly uneducated people. It is a cancer growing on the body of society.
The spineless, helpless fools in government just watch and stand by idly. But the apathetic and discouraged average people, looking no further than their well-fed bellies, are just as guilty for letting that happen instead of calling on government, raising fists and shouting "foul play!" The future of our children looks grim.
Volker Hildebrandt
Kaneohe
Watada hurts veterans of previous wars
To
Ehren Watada:
America is a wonderful country. We enjoy many freedoms, including freedom of speech. Remember our forefathers who 60-plus years ago fought and died to prove that they were worthy of being American citizens? Your actions are clearly a slap in the face not only to them but to the veterans who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember when you took the officer's oath, which I quote in part, "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Sates against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion"? What happened?
I served twice in Vietnam and fulfilled my obligations.
Roger Murai
U.S. Army, Retired
Aiea
Akaka has proven his worth to veterans
Sen. Daniel Akaka saw the folly in President Bush's war in Iraq from the beginning and voted against it, even when it was not the most popular political stance.
Yet he recognizes that brave American soldiers are suffering from the consequences of the war and need help.
That's why Hawaii should be proud that Akaka has championed efforts to make sure that our soldiers get the training and equipment they need and that he strongly supports better health care for veterans, including hospice and long-term services for veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq.
As the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Akaka leads Democrats on policies and services regarding veterans. With more veterans than ever seeking care at VA hospitals and clinics as a result of the country's policies overseas, he is committed to providing the funding needed to keep up with the pace of veteran's health care demands.
Senator Akaka's long record of outstanding service to veterans speaks volumes about his commitment to those who deserve a place of honor in our society. You can always count on Senator Akaka to do what's right for people.
Lillian Bungula
Hilo, Hawaii
Senator should serve citizens of all colors
Sen. Daniel Akaka has spent more than six years
on the so-called Akaka Bill.
He was elected to serve all the people of Hawaii, not just Hawaiians. People who need help should be given that help regardless of their heritage. Step aside, Senator, and let someone else take over who will truly represent all the people of Hawaii.
Donald Allen
Honolulu
Ala Wai Harbor, canal still haven't recovered
The colorful fish of the Ala Wai Harbor have not returned. Pau hana time is too quiet and too empty without our paddlers. With apologies to our friends who market "beach services" to tourists and who don't want us to mourn or to talk about the losses, the injury done by the city's sewage dumping has not healed.
No, the situation is not "normal" even though those responsible have moved on to other issues and continue to collect their paychecks without reproach.
We used to joke about pollution in the Ala Wai Canal -- now we long for the days when we could at least see the grocery carts and opala at the bottom! Now it's all a feathery kukae-brown.
Where are the remediation efforts? Why aren't we restocking the fish?
Maybe it's our public offices that need to be restocked. Incumbents repent! Elections anyone?
Rev. Cloudia Charters
Waikiki