Outage was idiocy, not an act of God
Whoever caused the electrical failure fiasco on Oahu -- whether it be one man or a committee of 10 -- should be banished forever from anything to do with electricity in Hawaii. Machines only do what they are told to do and someone made a terrible, terrible mistake in judgment.
The machine limits were set wrong, the machine timings were set wrong and the machine strengths were misunderstood. This was done viciously, or it was stupid. It can't be claimed to be an act of God!
David Nash
Honolulu
Where was Akaka after Sunday's earthquake?
Those of you who voted for Sen. Dan Akaka in the primary should think twice before casting your vote in November. Where was Akaka after
the earthquake on Oct. 15? Who was requested to seek help for Hawaii? Not Dan Akaka, but Sen. Dan Inouye. A vote for Akaka is a vote for four more years of poor representation in Washington.
Gary Beals
Hilo, Hawaii
So that's what caused the earth to move
Local scientists discovered the cause of last Sunday's earthquake. It seems that when the highest-ranking Democrat in Hawaii endorsed the largest vote-getting Republican on Maui ("Inouye endorses Tavares," Maui News, Oct. 12), it was enough to shake the state to a 6.7-magnitude earthquake.
Let's all pray that Inouye does not come out and endorse Gov. Linda Lingle!
Donald G. Micco
Wailuku, Maui
Mike Abe cares about residents, businesses
I'm not a relative, friend or an associate of Mike Abe, Democratic candidate for District 19 of the state House. I'm just a concerned resident of our community. I have personally watched Abe work hard on issues in our community, especially with our parking problem in Kaimuki. I've been to meetings where he is up against neighborhood board members and elected officials who brag about how long they've been in office and that they know better. Abe is more concerned with what the people want, and the business owners, and has been walking door to door and visiting their businesses.
He is so passionate and involved that I even approached him for help with my parents' property tax increase. They are senior citizens on a fixed income. It's ridiculous what's happening to Hawaii homeowners. He has been fighting for relief by being chairman of the Property Tax Fairness Task Force.
Every time I have a concern, I cannot believe his patience and willingness to talk, even though he's very busy. He does all this without being in elected office. Can you imagine if he was? Mike wasn't planning to run again, thinking it was hopeless running against a popular opponent. But people begged him to try again, saying they need a good, honest and caring person representing our community.
Gina Saldania
Waialae Iki
Lieutenant gov should debate opponent
Why doesn't Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona debate candidate Malama Solomon? Hawaii voters deserve the right to check out, compare and choose which candidate is best to serve our state and people.
A televised debate is the best way to see where each candidate is coming from and how they act under pressure.
So what's up, Duke, scared or what?
Tommy Shin
Aiea
Age not a factor in judge's competence
AARP Hawaii urges you to vote yes on ballot question No. 3 to remove the mandatory retirement for judges from our state Constitution.
Mandatory retirement for judges is age discrimination, pure and simple. It shouldn't be tolerated, any more than we can accept discrimination based on race, gender, disability or sexual preference.
Age should never be the sole criterion limiting a person's ability to serve. Our judicial review system has adequate safeguards in place to ensure the fitness of our judges. Unlike federal judges, who have no age limit and are appointed for life, Hawaii judges have either 10-year terms or six-year terms. Voting "yes" does not change this. Judges still have to reapply and undergo the performance review.
The trend among states, furthermore, is toward longer service. Hawaii is one of 21 states that require judges to retire at age 70 -- down from 1999 when 24 states had mandatory retirement laws.
Society's understanding of aging has made significant strides in the half-century since the Hawaii Constitution was written. When this provision was passed in 1959, the average life expectancy was 71. Today, older workers remain active and productive much longer in life.
In a state that reveres its kupuna, voting to remove age discrimination reflects the values of our community and is good public policy.
This election day, vote yes on question No. 3 and don't leave your ballot blank -- that will count as a no. End age discrimination in Hawaii.
Barbara Kim Stanton
State director
AARP Hawaii
Hirono wants whatever seat she can grab
I've jotted down some thoughts after watching online the recent congressional debate between Sen. Bob Hogue and Mazie Hirono.
» Hirono states she's running because she "looked around and was dissatisfied with the direction" of our federal government. It seems to me that she's looked around and found yet another elected office to hold. In recent years she's been dissatisfied with the City & County of Honolulu, with Hawaii and with the United States as evidenced by her hopscotch pursuit of the offices of mayor, governor and now Congress. Hogue sees the positive in everything he pursues and everyone he meets and will better represent Hawaii in Washington, D.C.
» Hirono states Hawaii needs someone who "hears the concerns, understands the needs and can bring the voice of Hawaii to Congress." I would argue she does not know or understand the concerns of the average Hawaii resident. She has spent nearly her entire life enveloped in government office and shielded from the concern of everyday Hawaii people. Hogue has an impressive background as a teacher, coach, writer and accountant. He knows what it takes to navigate the obstacles of "real world" Hawaii and will therefore be a more effective voice.
I do, however, have one thing in common with Hirono. She and I both do not live in the district. Hogue does and has for many years. Vote "Bob Hogue 2 Congress" on Nov. 7!
Dan Morin
Manhattan, Kan.
Former Hawaii resident
Grass-roots voters will back Iwase/Solomon
» Public perception: Linda Lingle is a nice and considerate person and may deserve another term.
» Public Perception: Linda Lingle is a Republican who appears to be unbeatable.
» Public Perception: Randy Iwase is a nice guy and has no chance but to finish last.
» Public Perception: Poor Randy ... no money, no chance.
» Public Appeal: Grass-roots Democrats, vote for Randy Iwase and Malama Solomon. "You Gotta Believe" in Randy and Malama.
Mel Padello
Waipahu
Lanikai school has many resident pupils
In an
Oct. 8 Gathering Place column, the writer implied that so many Lanikai homes have become vacation rentals that permanent renters with young children are being squeezed out. Evidence cited was that only nine Lanikai children are actually enrolled in the small neighborhood Lanikai Elementary Public Charter School. Not so. At one time years ago, most Lanikai children went to private schools and there was talk of closing our campus because of low enrollment, but that's all changed.
Today about 100 of our approximately 315 students live in the school's geographic district, including about 55 to 60 students who live in the small, central "Lanikai Loop." Parents of the other students from Waimanalo to Kaneohe chose Lanikai School because it is one of the finest elementary schools in the state, public or private, and we welcome them to our windward gathering place.
C.J. Baehr
Teacher, Lanikai Elementary
Kailua
All those cars will have to exit somewhere
Like everyone else without electricity Sunday and stuck at home with nothing to do, I had a chance to carefully read two articles on rail submitted by Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Prof. Panos Prevedouros, published in last
Sunday's Star-Bulletin Insight section.
Common sense separates these two viewpoints. I agree with the mayor in his support for rail as the only tangible traffic solution we have. Prevedouros wants more highway capacity to accommodate the growing number of cars.
But if you want to reduce traffic congestion, putting more cars on the road doesn't make any sense. What happens when all these cars pour out of the HOT lanes and enter surface streets like Ala Moana, South King Street, Beretania Street and Kapiolani Boulevard? Sounds like gridlock to me.
Prevedouros wants us to believe that more cars equals less traffic. How can more be less? I hope this new math isn't being taught up at the University of Hawaii these days.
Jason Yuen
Honolulu