Questioning authority is a citizen's duty
In response to the letter by John L. Werrill ("All our squabbling puts society at risk,"
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 29): What Mr. Werrill is advocating sounds awfully like despotism.
The president is not our boss; he's the one who works for us. We have a civic duty as citizens of a democracy to question authority. That duty doesn't stop once we've cast a ballot.
J.P. Muntal
Kaneohe
Swearing bus riders should be ejected
As a longtime "customer" of our rapid transit system, I must say that I'm glad to see an attempt to bring some modicum of civility during my ride ("Bus drivers applaud no-ring bill,"
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 18). I would like to see it taken a step further by TheBus.
I have ridden plenty of routes, and I have yet to see a bus driver kick someone of the bus for overtly swearing or being confrontational. It has become an acceptable practice to swear whenever and wherever you feel like it. And it is a common occurrence on the bus -- especially when the individual is on a cell phone.
A bus driver should not wait for a complaint from a rider to warn or kick off such a person. The last thing a customer of TheBus wants is confrontation. Get the drivers to either set the unruly rider straight, or kick em off already!
Johnny Miro
Honolulu
Ban other obnoxious noisemakers, too
All too typical of our reactive government is to
have bus riders turn off their cell phone ringers so as not to be disruptive while riding the bus.
Meanwhile, for the last 10 years, modified moped and insecure Harley-Davidson owners have been waking up hard-working residents at all hours of the day and night in their very own highly taxed houses throughout Oahu.
Where is the leadership and innovation to keep Honolulu more civilized? At the very least, copy the protocols and laws of other big cities that don't tolerate the noise pollution that has become unbearable in Honolulu. Can you hear us, City Council and mayor?
Patrick Kelly
Honolulu
Nothing virtuous about Watada's actions
The Watada saga has drawn out the "Bush haters" and the folks who claim to be "veterans against the Iraq war." These folks are trying to make an obvious act of failure to follow an order appear to be a virtue, whereas to many it appears to be an act of cowardice.
When I was in uniform, I drove for a wonderful but "by the book" general. He would often conduct informal meetings with his commanders in the car and I was privileged to listen in. I think I know what my general would do with Ehren Watada and Watada's followers if they were in his command, and it would be the maximum penalty. Dishonorable discharge and hard time.
Bob Hampton
Hawaii Kai
If it's not 75 percent, it's not Kona coffee
This is in response to the
Star-Bulletin's Dec. 27 "Our Opinion" piece regarding protecting Kona coffee with legislation requiring 75 percent in coffee blends to use the Kona name.
As a Kona coffee farmer, I wanted to thank you for your supportive opinion of proper labeling of our crop. While sitting on the Board of Directors of the Kona Coffee Council for the past two years, I have worked hard to protect and promote the needs of the farmer.
Federal and even international requirements are needed to protect our specialty crop. However, all involved say that we must start at the local (county council) and state levels to seek such recognition. The Big Island County Council vote (8-0) showed that we have strong support locally.
This does come down to a question of ethics. Using the Kona name to deceive consumers to think they are buying premium specialty coffee when they are not (simply to bring the sale to the vendor) is unethical. We need to protect the Kona name.
Let's carry on supporting the farmers who produce Kona coffee!
Colehour Bondera
Kanalani Ohana Farm
Honaunau, Hawaii
Volunteers, not taxes, made CD possible
I would like to applaud City Councilman Charles Djou for his vigilant efforts in keeping his eye on Hawaii taxpayers' money ("Official asks if taxpayers paid for mayor's tunes,"
Star-Bulletin, Dec. 27). From his position, he is asking the right questions to ensure the legitimacy of the city's projects.
What Djou cannot know is how much volunteer work and countless hours have gone into this whole project. Recording engineers, studio time, singers, auxiliary musicians and even recording equipment were donated to help this first Royal Hawaiian Band Christmas CD become a reality.
As a musician in the band, I am honored to see the feeling of ohana felt by the musical community in Hawaii.
I am confident when all the details are reviewed that everything will be in order. This project could have been possible only with the voluntary contributions of everyone involved, including the (voluntary) support of Mayor Mufi Hannemann. It is wonderful to see the positive impact the music of the Royal Hawaiian Band has made in our community.
Todd Yukumoto
Musician, Royal Hawaiian Band
Property tax rate should be limited
The
Dec. 29 letter by Bill Nelson was correct in saying that nothing was done by the mayor and City Council last year to help with the terrible property tax situation. I am also insulted by the estimates that assessments went up 11 to 15 percent, when those in my modest neighborhood went up 56 percent last year, and have now gone up again. Homeowners, especially seniors, are on the brink of disaster. We know this from what has happened in other cities.
It's time to do what they did in California -- that is, only reassess when a property is sold, and limit rate increases to 2 percent per year. Needed revenue can be obtained from other sources that don't cause people to lose their homes.
Charles A. Prentiss
Kailua