Grandmother turning grief into action
Almost three weeks after Cyrus Belt's death, it still hits me hard. Looking in his eyes reminds me much of my son. Every time there are updates, I start to tear up all over again.
I would like to give praise to his grandmother Phyllis Asiata ("Belt's grandmother points finger at state," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 4). She is a strong woman. She gave new life and the meaning of hope to Cyrus' big brother, Richie. I don't want to point fingers, but if someone had been actually watching that child, that horrible incident would not have happened, because Matthew Higa, his accused killer, would not have gotten hold of the baby.
I think Hawaii should give his grandmother a pat on her back for her caring heart, strength and dedication. She is not sitting there bunked up and just grieving; she is taking a step toward changing the way the state handles CPS cases so this does not happen to another child.
Roxy Perez
Waianae
Registering bullets an expensive folly
House Bill 2392, introduced by Rep. Tommy Waters (D, Lanikai-Waimanalo), would require the registration of ammunition sold in Hawaii.
Not that many years ago the federal government required the registration of ammunition. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, even the Honolulu Police Department considered it a useless law that accomplished nothing and cost an excessive amount of manpower, resources and money. That law didn't work then and HB 2392 won't do a bit of good now.
Stan Wright
Kaneohe
Public financing levels the election field
Sen. Colleen Hanabusa should be ashamed of herself for introducing Senate Bill 3141, which unabashedly removes the cap on corporate campaign donations -- making them limitless. This isn't what we had in mind for campaign finance reform, Senator.
Rather than encouraging corporate special interests to buy influence from our representatives, let's try voter-owned (publicly financed) elections, which reduce overall expenditures, encourage real participation in government and, most importantly, result in senators and representatives actually acting for the benefit of the public.
Paul McKimmy
Manoa
Join together to create North Shore dream
Our governor has a desire to put together a plan to purchase Turtle Bay/Oaktree Capital's property. Kudos to her for seeing potential where others see a lost cause. It's not too late. Rather than create a negative climate surrounding that plan, let's foster support and get creative to help further this vision along. There are many ways to accomplish this goal by creating partnerships and gathering together like-minded individuals who know how to succeed.
The victories at Waimea Valley and Pupukea/Paumalu continue to inspire and empower us. Let's be positive and do all we can to "Keep the Country COUNTRY."
Katye Killebrew
Honolulu
Pick up a little when you go walking
It's fun to go trash walking in paradise
But please be careful so no get lice.
If you like, take a break with chili and rice
When you go trash walking in paradise.
Rubbish here and litter there
Please pick it up to show you care
When you go trash walking in paradise.
Robert Griffon
Honolulu
Let's be prepared for highway funds
If funding to increase the expansion of our nation's interstate freeway system were to become a priority with the next president, Hawaii should be prepared to act on it. House Bill 3004, introduced by Rep. Colleen Meyer, would do just that. Her bill would have the state Department of Transportation identify right-ofways on Oahu that could serve as future transportation routes.
Not since the Eisenhower administration has a president asked Hawaii where it wants a new freeway and provided 90 percent of the funds to get it done. It's about time Hawaii support a president who will ask us this question again and for us to be ready to answer.
We can and should build our way out of traffic congestion. If you don't agree, don't worry, road building to keep up with population growth is not being pursued by Hawaii's government. And besides, Gov. Mike Huckabee, a long-shot for president, is the only candidate talking roads and proud of it.
Tom Berg
Ewa Beach
It's always darkest when it's actually light
President Bush said it would happen. Vice-President Cheney said it would happen. So did former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and current Secretary Robert Gates. They assured us that the surge would work, but that there would be setbacks as the insurgents get more and more desperate
So the fact that American casualties for January are more than they were for last December, or November or October proves that our leaders were right.
Bush's war against Iraq is succeeding. The surge is working. The insurgents are getting desperate. The proof? More Americans are dying there.
John A. Broussard
Kamuela, Hawaii