Thielen wasn't chosen by the people

For 35 years I have been a subscriber to the Star-Bulletin, and it was with dismay that I read your Oct. 18 opinion supporting state Rep. Cynthia Thielen over Sen. Dan Akaka. My concern is with the way Thielen was selected as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Originally the people of each state did not directly choose their senators. Rather, the senators were chosen by the respective state legislatures. Democracy was expanded in 1913 with the ratification of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof ..."

The spirit of this amendment was cleverly circumvented by the leadership of the Republican Party when they urged votes for a non-candidate in the Primary Election so that they could then select the candidate they preferred for the General Election. Is our democracy going backwards?

Allegiance to people puts Thielen up front

It is difficult to be sitting out the general election after developing the determination and much of the groundwork to make a winning run for the U.S. Senate. However, after a severe heart attack in August and surgery in Texas, my doctors strongly advised me to avoid the stress of a political campaign in the near term.

At my direction, the Hawaii Republican Party immediately called a press conference announcing the suspension of my campaign. Upon my return to Hawaii, thinking that I was now out of the election, I ignored stacks of mail, and most phone messages in order to facilitate my recovery. By the time I opened the letter from the director of elections directing me to submit my written notice of withdrawal along with a confirming letter from my physician, obtaining that letter from Texas, then personally delivering the documents to the Office of Elections before the Sept. 1 deadline, the primary ballots already had been printed and included my name.

I was insistent that no one be misled about my intentions to not run in the general election and, by posting notices at each polling place, the director of elections made that clear.

Like most voters, I was unaware that should I somehow win the primary, in spite of my clear intention to skip the general, state election law allowed the Republican Party to appoint my successor. The governor and the party chose to do so, but I was not a party to that strategy, and, personally, I have reservations about the fairness of that law.

Nevertheless, Cynthia Thielen, the party's choice -- and based upon her years of legislative experience, the people's choice -- has my utmost support. She is especially bright, articulate and forward looking, and is dedicated to the good of the people instead of always the good of the party.

Although we agree on many issues, such as the environment, renewable energy, fiscal policy, unqualified success in Iraq and national security, we don't agree on all things. But I absolutely trust Thielen's instincts. I know she will make me and all the people of Hawaii proud of her representation and statesmanship.

Cynthia Thielen has earned and deserves that opportunity.

When did Galuteria go to work for Advertiser?

Regarding the story "Iwase campaign used faked newspaper headlines" (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 19):

Now that Brickwood Galuteria has explained that he "edited" the headlines and did not "fake it," it makes sense that he is no longer chairman of the Democratic Party.

"Edit" means "to prepare for publication by correcting or adapting" (The American Heritage Dictionary).

Since when did Galuteria work for or have the authority to edit for the Honolulu Advertiser?

As a 75 percent-plus voting Democrat, I think it is time to switch and vote Republican.

And for Randy Iwase, who said, "We (Iwase and Malama Solomon) didn't put any ads on TV ... she (Solomon) put that ad together on her own." Huh? We, she ... what goes?

Hirono falls far short in Mink impersonation

Mazie Hirono says she is going to stand up to President Bush -- what a laugh! In her "Look at me, I'm Patsy Mink reincarnate" commercial, Hirono is trying so hard to convince us that she is the voice and pulse of Hawaii.

The Hirono I remember is the princess who sat under the big white tent on her last stop in Waipahu in her bid for governor. It was late afternoon and everyone was feasting on a free, Democratic-sponsored chili-and-rice dinner. People were eating, standing around wondering when Hirono was going to show up.

I pointed out that she was already there, sandwiched between Sen. Daniel Inouye and Rep. Neil Abercrombie. She never walked over to speak or shake hands with any of her supporters or the curious who showed up to meet her.

Sensing the bad vibe, people began leaving just before Hirono took center stage. Then, just before the cameras were to roll for the evening news, everything was halted as we waited for a busload of supporters who were being brought in to fill a big hole of empty chairs.

Sorry, Mazie, but ... you're no Patsy Mink!

We should encourage bicyclists, pedestrians

Hawaii has the perfect climate for more walking and bicycling. More people would walk and bike to exercise, save money and help the environment if Honolulu became a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city.

It can be done if government and the community work together. Help us get there by joining a growing list of "Yes On 8 Coalition" members, including the AARP, American Heart Association, Hawaii Bicycling League, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Hawaii Medical Service Association and many more listed at hbl.org. Vote "yes" on Charter Amendment 8.

Red-light runners make cameras necessary

I agree with Irene F. Lance's Oct. 14 letter advocating red-light cameras. I have been driving in Hawaii for 25 years, and it seems like running red lights is the state's equivalent of the national pastime.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving 2002, as I drove makai on Punchbowl Street through the intersection with South King Street (the light had been green for at least 5 seconds), a car drove through the intersection down South King against the red light and smashed into my car, spinning me completely around. I pulled into the parking lot near the State Judiciary Building and ran down South King to where the other car had stopped. The driver took off at high speed, and I did not get a license plate number.

I called the city to see if the cameras at the intersection could help me identify the driver but was told that the cameras had no recording capability. Great use of taxpayer money. My car was totaled.

At least once a day I observe a driver running a red light. Honolulu is no longer a small town; it's time to spend some money on cameras at major intersections that can force some accountability on drivers who run red lights and jeopardize the safety of those of us who obey the law.

Hyatt Regency showed class in a crisis

Just a quick note among probably lots of letters to the editor about how human beings show their greatness in emergencies.

During the earthquake, I was attending a seminar at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki and they cheerfully repositioned us upstairs by the pool so we could see and finish the class.

The hotel was 70 percent occupied and the staff was just amazing -- courteous, helpful and calm -- a credit to themselves and their employer. And the hotel served complimentary lunch to our class and the guests all afternoon!

Thank you so much, Hyatt, for the heart-warming show of professionalism and good service. A class act.

Retail development helps build Hawaiian communities

Please let me clarify an Oct. 8 letter ("DHHL should stick to building homes") that misinterprets the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands plans for a retail complex in Kapolei as being developed at the expense of building homes for Hawaiians. The exact opposite is true; it is being developed so we can build homes, and it will provide benefits beyond that.

DHHL has evolved into a large master-planned developer with major residential projects on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. We also have residential developments on Molokai and Lanai. From 2003 to 2008, we expect to offer 6,000 leases, which is more than was issued in the previous 81 years.

In order for DHHL to build homes for Hawaiians, we must have revenue to pay for the development of infrastructure. On-site and off-site work, roads, water, sewer and electrical lines are costly and a steady revenue stream is crucial to pay for these costs.

Infrastructure for projects in the next five years will cost more than $150 million.

While we build homes and communities for Hawaiians, we also believe the ahupuaa must include opportunities to not only live, but to work, play and learn.

This commercial site will provide employment opportunities at all levels and will play an important role in developing Kapolei into the Second City it was envisioned to be.

The Kapolei ahupuaa includes not only the University of Hawaii's West Oahu campus but also DHHL offices, which will move from downtown Honolulu to across the street from this commercial property by the end of 2007.

This project will help pay for the infrastructure for Hawaiian homes and will provide opportunities for many in the region to work closer to home. As the Second City emerges, we look forward to strong, healthy communities and a native Hawaiian presence that will be good for everyone.