Price's critics don't understand politics
I am a dedicated KSSK listener who heard every word of the interview between Larry Price and Sen. Gary Hooser (
Star-Bulletin, May 7). For those being critical of Price's "blue eyes" comment, obviously you did not listen to the entire interview or fully understand the point Price was making.
If you did listen to the whole dialogue and still condemn him for his statements, then either you do not vote or if you do vote, you do not follow Hawaii politics or care to know how our elected officials are conducting business. So before passing judgment on Price for a 15-second sound bite (that got sensationalized by the media), take a look at our problems within our state, then think about the people who got elected who make decisions to better (or worsen) those problems, and finally look in the mirror to see if you are someone who put those decision makers there.
Brent Catekista
Kapolei
Price spread hatred with racial comments
Thirty-one years ago I lost the love of my life because her parents didn't like the fact that I was "haole" and my parents didn't like the fact that she wasn't, so she walked away.
Six years ago I found her again and moved to Hawaii to pick up where we left off. Since I have been here I have been dismayed and disgusted by the racism I have seen and experienced in this supposed "Land of Aloha."
In the past few months we have seen a military couple severely beaten for a minor accident while being subjected to filthy racial epithets. A newcomer was killed by a blow to the side of the head for nothing more offensive than being "haole" and being on the Waianae Coast. Now Larry Price spreads hatred and disrespect with his stereotyped racial slurs.
Price is an educated man of high community standing. These factors make his comments even more despicable than Don Imus' remarks. Price should be fired by KSSK immediately.
Siegfried Runge
Kapolei
Don't be bothered by others' ignorance
I had to laugh when I read the
"blue eyes" story. Tell me something I don't know.
It has been pointed out to me many, many times during the 40 years I have lived in Hawaii that my ideas and opinions don't count because I'm not "local."
I'm afraid in this day of political correctness, Larry Price made the mistake of mentioning something that everyone knows but won't say ... "Where you were born and the color of your skin make a big difference in Hawaii." So what! Life is too short to let the stupidity of prejudiced people get you down.
This is all too funny.
Stanley Wright
Honolulu
Try again next year to clean up elections
Regarding the death of the clean elections bill: The chance to upgrade to comprehensive public funding of election campaigns has expired for this year.
Conversion from the current system of partial public funding of elections would help limit off-shore and national corporate influence, which blocks Hawaii from starting to achieve a sustainable and healthier future. By keeping the lobby money influence as a key for victory, large private source donations hurt elected officials and voters.
Hawaii believes we can each only be as liberated as the weakest in our culture. Equitable elections are the prime way we ensure this remains possible. Our elected officials will not be able to do their best for Hawaii until they are liberated from corporate dollars that divert attention to the special interests from the broader public good.
Support your community candidates and elected officials who support comprehensive public funding for elections. Equality and community start at home, not overseas.
Evan Tector
Honolulu
Stoplight would slow speeders in Kapolei
I have witnessed on numerous occasions excessive speeding on the newly opened Kapolei Parkway, which cuts through the residential housing area of Ocean Pointe. My concern is that an accident is inevitable if there is not a traffic light installed immediately at the intersection of Kapolei Parkway and Keoneula Boulevard. I have witnessed and have come close to being hit by speeding cars as I tried to emerge on Kapolei Parkway from my housing area while driving my children to school.
I have expressed my concerns to my community representatives about this. When parents express concerns about not allowing their children to walk or ride their bicycles to school because of speeding cars, inadequate crosswalk markings and a lack of a traffic light, this is a critical issue. I know that the cost of a traffic light can range from $50,000 or greater for each light, but I believe that the lives of our family and friends are priceless.
Tandrea Jackson
Ewa Beach
Lower taxes and keep Oahu a paradise
The mayor and City Council members should have the courage, honesty and integrity to incorporate a property tax exemption for Oahu homeownership. Focus on the issue and please, no excuses, like "what about the renters?"
They should also limit and control all tax increases, environmental pollution, vehicles on the road and tourism, in order for Oahu to remain a "paradise."
Stanley Wong
Honolulu
Nanakuli isn't at all a bad place to visit
I was saddened to hear of the
beating death of the young South Carolina man at Nanakuli. It was such a shock to read.
I stayed for a week in a house in Makaha/Waianae as part of a group of seven ladies. We shopped in Nanakuli a good number of times, buying groceries and yummy Hawaiian treats. We met so many wonderful local people. We shared jokes, smiles and much aloha. We never felt threatened or unsafe during any of those visits, contrary to what we were told before.
I would not hesitate to stay there again. The people were lovely to us. Mahalo for that!
M.J. Geier
Bellingham, Wash.
Honolulu has bigger problems to solve
Regarding "Enough about pedestrian safety!" ("Golden Letter,"
Star-Bulletin, May 7): Same here. Last week I saw nudity (with six kids at the bus stop), drugs and an illegal homeless encampment in a park downtown. I also called the police and they ... never came. And yes, I also got one of those jaywalking tickets a couple of weeks back.
If you go to downtown Honolulu now it is like being in Moscow in the good ol' days. You are constantly looking everywhere, over your shoulder, in every doorway for the "watchers." It gives you a very uncomfortable feeling. I am waiting for the speakers to start blaring, "Back in the USSR" any day now!
Ann Ruby
Honolulu
Bus driver wasn't nice to reject noni juice
Although riding the city bus is a welcoming experience, there is one bus driver who has left a bitter taste in my body and shuddered my existence, hoping the next driver is not the same man behind the wheel.
All I did to stir his anger and rudeness was offer him, by placing next to his driver's seat, a gallon of fresh noni juice that I bottle from the noni fruits that grow on a tree in my back yard.
I've been doing the same with every driver to show my appreciation. There are many people who appreciate my noni juice, including my neighbors, so it's no loss to me except for my surprise at the bus driver's show of irritation, rudeness and commanding presence.
No more will I carry and offer my heavy gallon of noni juice to TheBus drivers.
Jane Watanabe
Pearl City