Don't quit Hawaii, just quit smoking

I have a suggestion for Shirley Hannigan of Oaklyn, N.J. ("Hawaii's smoking rules are too strict," Letters, March 24). Instead of never returning to Hawaii as it has no accommodations for smokers at the airport, why doesn't she consider quitting? Although it is difficult for some people to quit, I've known it to happen. What does smoking get for you aside from draining your bank account and smelling up your car and clothes? Oh, I forgot -- you get the chance to contract lung cancer, emphysema and other swell diseases.

If I had the choice of either quitting smoking or never returning to a beautiful place like Hawaii, I would certainly make the effort to quit smoking.

Difference shows in tale of two Hawaiians

Two companies with the first name "Hawaiian" have decided to outsource some of their job functions. Hawaiian Airlines decided to move its reservation service to the Philippines, while Hawaiian Telecom decided to move its 411 service to a local company called Metro One. Both companies would eliminate their respective functions, which would mean loss of jobs within the company, but that is where the difference between Hawaii Airlines and Hawaiian Telecom ends.

Hawaiian Airlines, which is in a volatile industry because of fuel costs and massive competition, has decided to keep all its employees from the reservations department and offer them jobs in different departments at no loss in pay, while Hawaiian Telcom will simply lay off a certain amount of its workforce to meet its objective.

Hawaiian Airlines is looking to the future by securing jobs for its employees. I hope that Hawaiian Telcom will take the same idea and go beyond the call for its employees.

Hee's desire to control overrode fairness

Russell Okata, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association (Letters, March 26), and other apologists for Sen. Clayton Hee cover for him nicely with their stiff formalities regarding "advise and consent," "protecting the public" and "scrutinizing nominees."

The real problem with the Glenn Kim's confirmation as a Circuit Court judge was Hee's overbearing presence, Hee's desire to control the proceeding, Hee's obvious love for the sound of his own voice and, bottom line, Hee's inability to stomach the appointment to a judgeship of anyone, no matter how qualified, emanating from the prosecutorial side of the legal profession.

Hee's actions showed disrespect for the public, his colleagues, the nominee and the job he is sworn to do.

Koller has helped many keiki, families

I want to congratulate Lillian Koller, director of the Department of Human Services, on the honor she is to receive next month from the Federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families, which will present her the 2007 Commissioner's Award for the state of Hawaii. The award recognizes the great work she has done in helping to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect among Hawaii families, and I would like to add my own thanks for her efforts in an area that is close to the hearts of all of us at Child & Family Service.

During her four years at DHS, Koller and the state Legislature have increased support for community-based services, including parenting classes, counseling sessions and legal assistance -- all of which help strengthen vulnerable families with children. Koller also has been a driving force for improving the lives of at-risk youth and people with disabilities, to name just a couple of other areas where she is making a real difference in the lives of our people and our community.