Democrats have been in charge long enough
Since
Gov. William Quinn's passing, it has been noticed that Hawaii has been under Democratic rule for the last 40 years. Ask yourselves if the school system is better for your children; ask yourself if you've been able to afford a home yet; ask yourself if your roads are better yet; ask yourself if your sewer system and electricity are better yet.
When you don't get a satisfying answer, vote Republican. Any change is better than having our money taken away from us for nothing!
Elaine Hoffman
Honolulu
Hanabusa is tough, smart and sincere
Colleen Hanabusa was born and raised in the 2nd Congressional District. Her ohana goes back generations in Waianae, so she really understands the needs of the district.
Having lived in Waianae for 20 years, and being a political activist at the state Capitol for almost 25 years, I've had first-hand experience in observing Colleen Hanabusa. She is hell on wheels and a damn good state senator for the Waianae Coast and our state. Yes, Colleen might be combative, as some say, but her colleagues respect her enough to appoint her chairwoman of the toughest committees. I've asked some of her colleagues what they think of Hanabusa; the consensus is Hanabusa is the smartest person in the Capitol.
I've also observed her in committee hearings, and Hanabusa is genuine when it comes to wanting to help our state and our people. My family cannot vote for Hanabusa since we recently moved, so I humbly ask the voters of the 2nd Congressional District to please send the best candidate to Congress -- Colleen Hanabusa.
Art Frank
Honolulu
Case erred in using quote from Ariyoshi
About Ed Case's recent e-mail implying former Gov. George Ariyoshi's endorsement for a senatorial change and transition: I am very disappointed with Case, and I feel for Gov. Ariyoshi.
To use an excerpt from a speech is OK, but to use it to imply his endorsement when that endorsement does not exist is unethical and wrong! When the author (Ariyoshi) says Case misinterpreted his quote and Case says it's OK and he did nothing wrong, that tells me he does not care about misusing quotes for his own gain. That really bothers me! Gov. Ariyoshi said that he has spent so much time responding to phone calls because this e-mail misrepresents his position about who he supports, I feel for Gov. Ariyoshi. When Gov. Ariyoshi said that because he is spending so much time responding to phone calls that it is interfering with his work, I feel for Gov. Ariyoshi.
I am bothered by Case's response to this situation. He says it's a beautiful quote, but I believe once taken out of the author's context, he ruined the beauty and meaning of the author's quote. I support Sen. Daniel Akaka even more now because I believe I understand Case better.
For Gov. Ariyoshi who sacrificed so much of his life for Hawaii, I truly feel for him and respect him. I am also honored and privileged to be one of three children who can say he is a great, loving, caring and wonderful FATHER!
Donn Ariyoshi
Honolulu
As Ariyoshi said, party needs new blood
Former Gov. George Ariyoshi believed that the Democratic Party needed to look to the youth for its future or else face an aging leadership that increasingly grows out of touch with the changing community. His words resound at a time when our state and nation are at a crossroads, both in leadership and ideology.
Why does Dan Akaka not take the advice of his colleague and friend? I guess it is because he is the type of party member Ariyoshi criticizes as one who "still wants to retain complete control" and cannot let go. Sen. Dan Akaka's actions in the Senate and his campaign literature show no understanding of the challenges facing Hawaii's youth. Can he really be an effective advocate for Hawaii's next generation when his only aim is to maintain his power?
Dan Akaka, take the advice of your contemporary and pass the torch.
Dennis K. Sakaguchi
Honolulu
Case is accessible to constituents
It's amazing that political commercials only show what the candidates will do once in office. And once they are in office, we never hear from them again until the next election. It's been difficult to find out directly from politicians who represent us now, and all the candidates who want to represent us in the future, how they stand on issues like health care -- notably insurance, medical research and Medicare.
The only person to tell me what they think about health issues has been Ed Case. I might not agree with him 100 percent, but I know he'll listen and respond to constituents. He has been accessible and approachable all the time, every year, and not just during the campaign season. He's reconnected the "disconnect" that we've had for too long, with too many of our elected officials on all levels.
Muriel Rasmussen
Honolulu
Votes should be based on issues only
Last Thursday's editorial endorsing Ed Case made me ashamed to be a Star-Bulletin reader, not because of who was picked, but the rationale for why the choice was made.
What voters clamor for is issue-based races. But the endorsement has nothing to do with how the candidates will vote when elected.
Is the paper worried we won't get our earmarked pork that current ethics reforms target? Not only is the "campaign-contributions in, pork-sausage out" system widely cited as the ruination of America's democratic system, now it seems it can't even be stopped at our doorsteps via our morning paper.
We're used to being fed extraneous messages from the press and candidates with big advertising budgets. What's your ethnicity? Who did auntie go to school with? Who's a old fut? Who's a young whippersnapper?
Arguably, never in the history of the state has a U.S. Senate race had such widely divergent ideals expressed by two Democratic contenders. One is an lefty liberal who will fight against the right-wing Republicans. One is a conservative who will go along to get along with much of the Republican agenda.
Which candidate gets more issue-based votes is what democracy is supposed to be about. But the Star-Bulletin apparently thinks all the voters deserve is smart-alecky drivel and extraneous speculation.
Andy Parx
Lawai, Kauai
Chapmans help child's wish come true
Our family recently had the pleasure of meeting Dog and Beth Chapman and family
through the Make-A-Wish organization. The joy they gave my son Steven was immeasurable, and it's painful to watch the current proceedings unfold knowing what a kind, loving group they are.
I think we all owe it to them, for all the good things they have done, including the capture of that vile rapist, to keep pressure on whoever is in any authority to get the Chapmans the same kind of fair treatment they give the fugitives they return to justice.
Barbara Eltz
Sherwood, N.D.
Homeless shouldn't be wards indefinitely
While Gov. Linda Lingle is well intentioned in having the state build more than 700 units of "temporary" housing for the homeless, I hope she realizes that she might well be making most of those people wards of the state for life. The dictionary defines a "ward" as a person under the protection or care of another, the act of guardianship, or the division of a city for administrative or representative purposes.
Many of those beach dwellers will never hold jobs meaningful enough to support themselves, let alone a family. All they have ever known for years have been handouts, which the state apparently is willing to continue to give them. There are jobs going begging now. Take Norwegian Cruise Lines, for instance, which offers training, room and board on ship plus a wage that can be saved or sent to family. Seems like a good fit for those who say they need jobs, housing and money.
After several years just how many will still be in the state shelters? I bet most will still be there.
Ann Ruby
Honolulu