Manu would inspire good things with OHA
I am pleased to support the candidacy of my longtime student and friend Manu Boyd as an at-large trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which he has served for more than 14 years as culture specialist, editor and public information director.
I first met Manu when he was attending Kamehameha Schools and began dancing in my Halau Na Kamalei. After 17 years of training and experience, I graduated him through traditional uniki rites as a kumu hula.
In 1997, he established his own school, Halau O Ke 'A'ali'i Ku Makani. Fluent in Hawaiian, Manu is also a prolific songwriter and a highly regarded chanter. He has served the community on numerous boards and commissions.
He is a strong leader, a respected cultural resource and a celebrated entertainer.
I invite everyone to find out more at manuboyd.com. I trust Manu to inspire positive change. So should you.
Robert Cazimero
Kaneohe
If you haven't had enough, vote GOP
If either Bob Hogue or Cynthia Thielen should win election, Hawaii residents can be sure that they will vote with the Republican congressional leadership to organize Congress and to give us all two more years of the same lies, incompetence and corruption we have had thus far. If you haven't had enough yet, vote Republican.
Scott Allen
Kailua
Iwase's ads are wrong about troops mobilized
Gubernatorial candidate Randy Iwase has been running radio campaign ads saying that Gov. Linda Lingle has allowed President Bush to mobilize more than our fair share of Hawaii National Guard troops for combat duty overseas. I would like to set the record straight.
If you compare Hawaii's mobilization rates for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, we would rank 38th out of the 54 states and territories. A little more than half of all soldiers and airmen in the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. However, 37 other states and territories have higher percentages, including South Carolina, which has had virtually all of its National Guard troops mobilized, as well as Kentucky, Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, which have had more than 80 percent of their soldiers and airmen mobilized for active duty.
I believe we have contributed our fair share of forces to the global war on terrorism, but to say that we've contributed more than our fair share would be factually incorrect.
Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee
Adjutant general
Hawaii National Guard
Sierra Club sold out by endorsing Akaka
I remember when a candidate got a Sierra Club endorsement it was an indication that candidate cared about our environment and was committed to improving it. The Sierra Club's endorsement of do-nothing incumbent Sen. Dan Akaka over opponent and longtime environmental activist Cynthia Thielen makes it clear that is no longer the case. The Sierra Club has sold out.
The nasty ads attacking "nice guy" Bob Hogue (paid for by "Mean Mazie") have run so much they have become as obnoxious as that TV ad for roll-on headache medication. Mazie Hirono has nothing to say about her accomplishments so she takes on Hogue with a hateful, untrue ad. Go to your room, Mazie, not to the House.
Madge Schaefer
Kihei, Maui
Hirono's ads insult those in uniform
Watching the TV ads of Mazie Hirono makes me want to switch to vote for Bob Hogue. Her disgraceful TV ads don't mention her experiences and how she intends to represent Hawaii. Instead she uses sleazy tactics to attack and humiliate Hogue and continuously berate the Iraq conflict. These types of disgraceful actions are a tremendous slap to the faces of the men and women who bravely defend our nation, as well as the many spouses, family and friends of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.
As a Democrat, I will now vote for Bob Hogue.
Stanley Hanakawa
Pearl City
HGEA leaders should support governor
I support the Hawaii Government Employees Association members. I believe the HGEA leaders are using politics only for personal power. There are many HGEA members who support the Lingle/Aiona team and who are very upset with HGEA.
Gov. Linda Lingle since 1981 has shown tremendous leadership. She is the first governor who has been a county council member, mayor and governor. She is the most knowledgeable about local, state and national issues. Under the current Lingle/Aiona administration, the state is enjoying the lowest unemployment in the nation. Hawaii has a surplus of $720 million with no layoffs. The arbitrators, not the governor, determined the date of the HGEA members' raises. The governor has not accepted a raise for herself.
I am proud to be a Lingle supporter since 1981 and I urge the people of Hawaii to vote Lingle/Aiona on Nov. 7. God bless the people of Hawaii and let us continue to keep Hawaii strong and prosperous.
Frank Deluz III
Hilo, Hawaii
Lingle inspires others to help homeless
Never before has a governor tackled homelessness so aggressively and hands-on. She's given the homeless renewed hope and opportunity, and inspired thousands of people, including me, to search within themselves and find what they can give and how they can help others.
It's this quality that makes a good leader, and it's for this reason that I'm voting for Gov. Linda Lingle. Just think what new, positive and exciting things could happen for Hawaii with another four years of her leadership.
Chita Caindec-Stewart
Mililani
Maui chamber backs Lingle for governor
Gov. Linda Lingle continues to help the business sector by creating a more responsive government, expanding public-private partnerships, cutting business fees and assessments, creating employment programs to aid businesses in this tight job market, and vetoing anti-business legislation that would have hurt both employers and employees.
Lingle's endorsement by the Maui Chamber of Commerce is based on her obtaining the highest score of all of the candidates interviewed for each of the county and state races. Her views and actions are most congruent with the chamber's values and positions on a decentralized school system, harbor improvements, maximum sentencing and privatization of prison facilities, the Superferry, business legislation, expanding opportunities to promote Maui businesses and Made In Maui products, and more.
The Maui Chamber of Commerce is pleased to endorse Lingle for her consistent support of business and the views of our organization.
Pamela Tumpap
President
Maui Chamber of Commerce
Labor leader should help working people
In my first encounter with state labor director Nelson Befitel, I asked what was the mission of the director of labor. I was surprised when he answered "to help small business." I had heard from many sources that Befitel was no friend of the working person especially in the area of worker's compensation. When I responded that I thought the mission of the director of labor was to be an advocate for working people, he disagreed very strongly.
I am disappointed with the Lingle administration and its attitude toward helping working people recover from their injuries and to be productive again on the job.
George M. Waialeale
Honolulu
Halagao is best one for District 17
I write in support of A.J. Halagao, candidate for the state House, District 17 (Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley). Halagao is committed to improving public education, protecting our environment and caring for our elderly.
An outstanding graduate of public schools, Halagao is passionate about public education. Teachers of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, principals of the Hawaii Government Employees Association and professors of the University of Hawaii all favored Halagao with their endorsements.
Halagao worked with the Ka Iwi Coalition to help stop the development of resort cabins along the Ka Iwi coastline. He is endorsed by the Sierra Club and Hawaii Coalition of Conservation Voters.
His support for our seniors is endorsed by the National Association of Social Workers. As founder of WeLoveHawaiiKai, Halagao has spearheaded graffiti and beach clean-ups.
Bright, energetic and articulate, Halagao is already a community leader. I hope he will be our voice in the Legislature.
David B. Monk
Kalama Valley
Let's hope Hogue won't blindly follow Bush
Last week, President Bush, according to transcripts of an interview he gave to conservative radio personalities, said, "I believe when you get attacked and somebody declares war on you, you fight back. And that's what we're doing." He then cautioned, "If we leave, they will follow us here."
George Bush is not only wrong, he is delusional and is believing the twisted propaganda his handlers are spewing out to the public. Sadaam Hussein never declared war on us. There was no al-Qaida connection with Iraq. There were no WMDs. And there certainly was no involvement of any Iraqi in the 9/11 attacks. The official justification for the pre-emptive invasion and occupation has long since evaporated, just like "bring 'em on," "mushroom cloud" and more recently "stay the course."
I hope that when Bob Hogue says, "I support the president," he will not blindly accept these unsupportable claims as his own.
Francis M. Nakamoto
Honolulu
Who still thinks cap kept gas prices high?
I am on vacation in Arizona and will return Monday to vote. The gas here is $2.10 a gallon. Are we still relying on the goodness and good will of the gas companies? If we are, I guess the gas will not be $2.10 a gallon. Could the TV stations run the old clips of people complaining that the gas cap is keeping the gas prices high?
I will vote for any candidate who will ask for the gas cap back.
Bert Chikazawa
Mililani