Grow up, Michelle -- fire your own caddie
I was sorry to see that
Michelle Wie fired her caddie, Greg Johnson, without telling him herself.
If Michelle is going to exist in the adult world and retain the respect of her fellow golfers, she should do the adult things, regardless of how tough or uncomfortable they are. Johnson was with her through all her top five finishes this year, and is likely at least partly responsible for some of those results.
She certainly has the right to fire any of her employees at any time and for any reasonable cause, but there is a right way to do so. I will continue to support Michelle, but I hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.
Lawrence Basich
Honolulu
Laws need to get tougher on everyone
We need to get after our lawmakers next year to bring stronger laws. Some ideas are, first offense for an unregistered gun gets five years' jail; second offense, 10 years; third, life. For auto theft, first offense, two years' jail; second, four years; and third offense is three strikes and brings life.
As for drugs, any amount found in your home or automobile should bring you an automatic forfeiture of the property and five years' jail time, 10 years for the second offense and no need for a third because you should be dead by then. If parents want to keep their property, they will get rid of the drugs, even if it means getting rid of the kid. We have so many more areas to get into (home invasions, spouse abuse, hijacking, assaults and many others).
So next year, let's all pay attention to what's happening with our lawmakers. If they don't get a grip on some of these problems, let's cut the leash and let 'em go.
Abraham Aiona
Waimanalo
It's big news when restrooms are cleaned
Well, how lovely to read that the Leeward comfort stations have been cleaned (
Star-Bulletin, Aug. 9). You are right, this is news in Hawaii! Toilets in all the parks and on state land are a crying disgrace. Congratulations for hosing them down at least once a year.
Georgia Howton
Pearl City
As agent of U.S., OHA can't be trusted
Are Haunani Apoliona and Colette Machado trying to say in their
Aug. 5 letter that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is free of "divergent philosophies and methods" and that everyone agrees that OHA should be the one to represent the Hawaiian people? A major difference between OHA and these "activists" is their allegiance. OHA is compiled and created by Americans who are limited to operate within the framework of the very government that played a key role in the demise of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Although the U.S. Constitution clearly states in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 10 that they will "define and punish ... Offences against the Law of Nations," the United States is its biggest violator. As an agent of that belligerent nation, how can OHA be trusted to take the lead in establishing a representative body for Hawaiians? It's like a cat making the rules in a bird's nest. So what's the solution? Find the "activists" who are not under the auspices of the United States, but are in full compliance with the "law of nations" and support them, no matter what your views are.
"The cause of Hawaii and independence is larger and dearer than the life of any man connected with it. Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station." -- Queen Liliuokalani
Tiare Shepherd
Kekaha, Kauai
Akaka has better character than Case
After seeing
coverage of the forum between U.S. Rep. Ed Case and U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, I was struck by the theme of change, which figured into the comments of the former. In theory, we all agree that change is positive. When we talk about wholesale change, however, we need to remember that in practice, change comes with a price tag -- sometimes a hefty one that we might not be prepared for.
As voters prepare to cast their choices, the question that begs asking is, What are we willing to give up to pay for change? At the end of the day, a major distinction between Hawaii and the rest of the world is the solid character of its people. And that's what Hawaii voters must weigh even between two kamaaina candidates like Dan Akaka and Ed Case. How Case has handled his latest campaign from his initial denial of seeking the U.S. Senate seat to his announcement for the U.S. Senate speaks volumes about his character. Is this what Hawaii needs, and, more important, is this what Hawaii wants?
Joey-Liberty Acoba
Honolulu