Ho's service created through love of friends
What Cha Thompson did to pull together all the necessary components for
Don Ho's services and celebration was inspired and close to miraculous.
In two weeks, she comforted Don's extensive family, contacted every necessary city and state agency, dealt with every entertainer and musician in Hawaii, created two stages for speedy segues, smoothed ruffled feathers, and that was just the beginning.
Cha and John DeFries were magnificent in how they manifested their love for their dear friend, Don Ho.
Jimmy Borges
Honolulu
Bus driver should be 'Aloha Ambassador'
We want to commend one of TheBus drivers, Dexter, not only for his outgoing personality but also for his attitude toward his riders, especially those of us who are visitors to the island. Dexter drove us from our hotel in Waikiki to the Arizona Memorial. From the moment he opened the door to the bus, we felt the aloha spirit. Each person who came onto his bus was greeted warmly with a merry "Good morning" and smile. As each person exited, he wished him or her a good day and gave another big smile.
He provided us with the bus schedule and explained the system to us. He went out of his way to make our first experience on TheBus a very positive one and encouraged us to use TheBus for our transportation. During our lengthy trip, he pointed out many sights (it was our first time here!), all the while remaining conscientious about his driving and courteous to others.
We told him that he should be an "Aloha Ambassador" for Oahu because of his personality and spirit. He is definitely as asset to the bus company and to island tourism.
Rae Ann and Thomas Reichert
Peru, Ind.
Stroll down Beachwalk is disappointing
Recently, after visiting the Waikiki Post Office, my wife and I decided to walk down Beachwalk and back up Lewers Street on our way to our bank. What a disappointment! We saw a lot of mostly empty upscale shops duplicating those at Ala Moana Center and the nearby Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, awaiting the hoped-for return of rich Japanese and other tourists.
The architecture would look good in Los Angeles, New York, Edmonton or Phoenix, but it could have been anywhere. It had no feel of Hawaii. We almost cried, thinking of the Lewers Street of the 1970s and '80s, when we lived for a time at the old Edgewater.
James M. Walling
Honolulu
Governor, mayor deserve pay raises
When the pay scales of both the governor of Hawaii and the mayor of Honolulu are placed in comparison ("It pays well to be mayor of Honolulu,"
Star-Bulletin May 5), as City Council Chairman Todd Apo said, "My reaction is that they're reasonable, and I still say if you want to get good people running your city, you have to pay them, so in my view it's a good investment."
Both positions have challenges that most businesses would not take on. For example, earthquake aftermath logistics, emergency sewage issues, and homelessness in city and state parks. Keep in mind that in addressing these issues, the budget, employee rights, and public health and safety are some of the restricting guidelines.
As our population ages and public infrastructure crumbles, dynamic, innovative and cooperating leadership will be required to keep Hawaii's government moving forward.
Scott Kamiya
Royal Kunia
Price tells it like it is, not how it should be
In 1976 I was married at Foster Gardens by the Rev. Akaka with a trio of Hawaiian musicians playing beautiful music while I walked down the garden path in my muumuu. I worked at the University of Hawaii medical school, was part of the staff for the Honolulu City Council, Mayor Jeremy Harris and Gov. Linda Lingle.
I learned to hula, and took ukulele lessons with George Ho'okana of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Learning lei making at the Bishop Museum, I can walk into the mountains without supplies and come down with a lei for a hat. I became a docent at Bishop Museum when the Captain Cook exhibit came through Hawaii in the 1970s.
I have loved living in Hawaii for more than 20 years and thought prejudice had begun to fade away. But you, Larry Price, have proven to me that no matter how good a transplant "blue-eyed person" is and how much we love Hawaii, we can never be "local" ("KSSK apologizes to state senator," Star-Bulletin, May 7). Thank you for setting the record straight. You are what keeps us separate.
Vicki Kneisley
Honolulu