Lawsuits expose greed for government money

There is nothing more divisive in Hawaii than the greed displayed by the nouveau Hawaiians who want all the benefits but are not Hawaiian.

The Oct. 22 story "Hawaiian blood at issue in lawsuits" reports that those with less than 50 percent Hawaiian blood believe they deserve the same benefits as those who are true Hawaiian. The Akaka Bill has fueled this greed for programs and benefits by legislating that anyone with a drop of native blood is just as entitled as someone with true bloodlines.

The Kau Inoa native Hawaiian registry and state-sponsored race programs also contribute to the absurd propaganda that someone with a single drop of Hawaiian blood has somehow been harmed by the United States and deserves reparation for past wrongs. Surely these views will destroy the harmony cherished by all who live here.

Drug testing OK if you get government pay

Regarding the Oct. 21 letter on drug-testing teachers that suggested parents also undergo drug testing:

There is a difference between the parents and teachers of school-age children. The parents are not receiving a pay check from the government (except for those on government aid). If the teachers do not wish to be tested for drugs, there are many jobs doing other things or teaching in other states. The parents who are on any form of government assistance should be tested also. If they don't want to be tested, they don't need to take the money.

Gays have good reason not to support Craig

Andrezza Chang wanted to know why there is no outcry from the gay community over Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's arrest (Letters, Oct. 20). Well, the chief reason is that Craig has built part of his political career on voting against laws that would protect the gay community from discrimination as well as anything that would benefit the gay community in any way.

His arrest for disorderly conduct after apparently attempting to solicit sex from another man in a public place appeared as nothing less than chickens coming home to roost.

Remember the old saying: "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones." Craig has been pitching rocks at the gay community for years and now he has been shamed as a hypocrite at the national level. Politicians who make political currency out of attacking the gay community, while secretly being gay themselves, had best take notice.

Majority rules -- not the squeaky wheel

As I recall from the last local election, the Sierra Club, Isaac Hall, Maui Tomorrow, or Hui-R were not on any ballots. So what gives this minority group of Superferry opponents the right to demand that our lawmakers incorporate their list of ridiculous conditions into law? Our lawmakers were elected to represent the majority.

Perhaps these opponents don't understand the voting process. The person with the most votes wins, not the one who shouts the loudest. If these environmentalists want to write laws, they should work hard and get voted into office.

And when campaigning, remember, their offensive arguments that passengers will bring crime, drugs and homelessness to the outer islands only increases the majority of ferry supporters. Until then, let our lawmakers do their job of representing the majority who voted for them.

Legislature within its right to amend law

Who does Isaac Hall think he is kidding ("Group pushes rules on ferry," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 19)? The state Constitution has no provisions limiting the power of the Legislature to amend our laws, neither is it unconstitutional to amend a law following a judicial ruling.

The "separation of powers" Hall incorrectly cites to protect the judicial decision does the exact opposite. It protects the rights of the legislative and executive branches to function in their respective capacities to make, amend and carry out the laws of the state. The role of the judiciary is to determine whether a particular action is in accordance with the law and, in particular, with the state and federal Constitutions, not to legislate.

This system of checks and balances is intended to assure that all branches of government do not usurp the roles of the other branches.

In this case, Hall represents people who are in the decided minority. They know that they cannot "win" if the Legislature is responsive to the vast majority of its constituents, so they exploit loopholes in poorly drafted legislation and harass and threaten both the state and a legitimate business providing a critically needed service through the courts.

They know that if they tie up the Superferry in the courts for just a bit longer or delay the passage of the revised law they will "win" through intimidation tactics.

Legislative session wastes tax money

How are our tax dollars being spent?

Instead of our tax money being spent on a special interest legislative session to circumvent environmental protection laws, our tax dollars should be spent on legitimate problems, such as securing health care (including dental) for all the children in Hawaii!

Enough already! Stop trying to ignore and disrespect our laws, the court's final decision to conduct an independent Environmental Impact Statement before the Superferry operates anywhere in Hawaii.

Ferry would ease travel for disabled

Being disabled and having a van that can accommodate a wheelchair, traveling by ferry gives more value to my family. Getting to Maui or Kauai for business or vacation would be expensive to rent a travel wheelchair so it can fit in a regular van.

Why are the disabled always the last to be considered? I can appreciate all the arguments put out there, but unless you walk a day in my shoes, or ride a day in my chair, you cannot appreciate my point of view.

Turtle Bay plans should require EIS, too

If the state has to complete a new EIS for the Superferry, how come Oak Tree doesn't need to redo its 28-year-old EIS for its proposed development on the North Shore at Turtle Bay? Its EIS version is outdated and irrelevant to real time concerns.

Talk about real traffic and environmental concerns (seals, surf, ancient burial grounds). This is not fair, and needs to be corrected.