Maui mayoral election changed state's future
The race for Maui mayor in 1990 may be referred to as the election that changed much in Hawaii. After Hannibal Tavares ran out of terms to serve, Linda Lingle made a run for the Maui mayoral position. But Elmer Cravalho came down the mountain and divided the Democrats with Lokelani Lindsey a front-runner among the three other Democrats.
Lingle won her primary and went on to be mayor for two terms while Lindsey came in second to Cravalho in the primary, and Elmer eventually went back up the mountain after losing in the general election.
As we know, Lindsey went on to become a Bishop Estate trustee contributing to the radical changes at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate and Lingle went on to become a two-term Republican governor after the Democrats self-destructed in 2000.
William J. King
Honolulu
Case lost on issues, not 'local values'
So many thanks to Kim Fassler ("
Case vs. Akaka: Is it time to rethink 'local values'?" Star-Bulletin, Oct. 1) for explaining to me why I voted for Sen. Dan Akaka. Silly me. I thought I voted for Akaka because he has been one of the few senators consistently opposed to President Bush's Iraq folly. I thought I voted against Ed Case because he has consistently been one of Bush's biggest Iraq war cheerleaders. I thought I voted against Case because he has too often sided with the Republicans in matters I found repulsive. I thought I voted for Akaka because I had no stomach for Hawaii's own Joe Lieberman Jr.
But the astute Fassler says I voted for Akaka because he's such a sweet guy and I am such a gullible local yokel. In her sage world view neither the Iraq war nor any other real issues like the bankruptcy bill (on which Akaka and Case were on opposite sides) is worth a mention.
Nope, it's all about the calcification of local culture and tradition versus white knight "Ed Case values" and nonlocal (and presumably better) attitudes.
Thank you, Kim, for deigning to set ignorant, timid and provincial me straight.
Kathleen Sato
Honolulu
Young people feel forced to move away
Kudos to Kim Fassler for an excellent analysis of "local values."
She is right on target when she describes the basis for some voters' decision-making, where incumbency generally rules and political stagnation plagues us. It always is pretty amazing to see the reasons that some people utilize as a basis for supporting a candidate.
Especially disheartening is the knowledge that a number of our best and brightest are choosing to leave the islands not only for better job opportunities but also out of frustration with glacial politics at every level.
The answer for the younger generation? Please stay involved, keep the best of our local values and know that with time the other attitudes will eventually change, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Peter Caldwell
Honolulu
Duckworth complains, offers no solutions
Well, the Democrats are at it again. The article about congressional candidate and former Army Capt. Tammy Duckworth ("
Ex-Army pilot calls Bush all talk," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 1), her statements, her stand on the issues -- what really is her stand, her plan for action? She complains and offers no solutions. Why do we not ask her what she would do and how? Like the leaders of her party, she has slogans but no plan.
I do wish, though, to thank Duckworth for her honorable service to this country.
Ben Clinger
Honolulu
DOE would welcome more photovoltaics
Jim Harwood (
Letters, Sept. 26) suggested that photovoltaics be a mandatory part of the Department of Education's school electrical upgrades.
The DOE is including a $75 million request in its proposed Capital Improvement Program budget for electrical upgrades at schools. The upgrades will provide in-school electrical infrastructure to handle the increased need for power in the classrooms and school offices.
The 2006 Legislature appropriated $5 million for pilot photovoltaic projects on school campuses on the four major islands. Photovoltaic projects are environmentally desirable because they substitute solar energy for energy from fossil fuels.
However, installation of photovoltaics does not reduce the need for electrical infrastructure upgrades on school campuses. To spend a portion of the requested $75 million on photovoltaics instead of electrical upgrades would reduce the number of schools that could have their electrical infrastructure upgraded.
It would be appropriate for the Legislature to provide incentives to our electric utilities to pay for installation of photovoltaics. The utilities should determine where to install the photovoltaics, choosing schools where power-generating costs are the highest and solar energy is greatest. The DOE would welcome such action.
Randolph G. Moore
Acting assistant superintendent
Office of Business Services
Department of Education