Hawaiian should help American workers
Regarding the Feb. 5 Business section article about
Hawaiian Airlines' fleet expansion: It's a shame that instead of buying Boeing airplanes and giving work to American workers, Hawaiian is buying Airbus and giving jobs to European workers.
The excuse from Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley is flexibility, but I think the real reason is sour grapes. In 2003, when Hawaiian filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Boeing Capital and CRG filed a reorganization plan for Hawaiian, which they ended up not pursuing. Boeing has been an open critic of the airline's former management and was successful in persuading the court to appoint a trustee to run the airline.
Bottom line is, "If its not Boeing, I'm not going."
Surfer made mark on students, community
Our family lived in Honolulu for 30 years and have known Tom and Esther Nekota and their family for much of that time (
"Surf teacher was legendary," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 5). We, too, have many good memories of Tom riding up to Kuhio Beach on his moped, bringing down surfboards, then swimming out with our children and grandkids to give them a good experience with surfing. He was always patient and never seemed to be in a hurry. He gave them encouragement and kind words and held the boards when they fell off and had to repeatedly climb back on.
We were there, too, when he was on the City Council and saw some of the good things he managed to accomplish during his short term. He's a good man and a great friend, and he and Esther raised a great family.
Jack and NaDee Davidson and family
Placerville, Calif.
Don't let computers be democracy's downfall
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people." -- Dwight Eisenhower, 1961
The Bush years have divided the country into two groups: the arrogant and the ashamed. Those of us who want to return America to a path of integrity and worthy striving need to do everything necessary to ensure that no more elections can be hacked.
What is being done to make it impossible for the 2008 election to be stolen? Unless this aspect is addressed right now, then this whole billion-dollar campaigning process is an exercise in futility. There is no such thing as a "recount" in a computer program that does not store discrete records for every single vote. Congress should have taken care of this immediately after the 2004 election. There are just too many corrupt people in fiduciary positions.
Barack Obama is bringing hope to the youth and the "ashamed." If that is allowed to be taken away at the last minute by a few computer hacks, then the future truly is bleak. Please beat the drum for fraud-proof elections before it is too late.
Aaron Singer
Paia, Maui
Different futures possible for America
Regardless of who the presidential candidates are in either party, there will be two very different views of America's future for voters to choose in November.
Let's just look at five of the key issues:
Republican's View
1. Win in Iraq
2. Lower taxes
3. Market-driven health care
4. Secure borders
5. Terrorism is war
Democrat's View
1. Surrender in Iraq
2. Higher taxes
3. Government-run health care
4. Open borders
5. Terrorism is a crime
I encourage everyone to register and vote. The stark contrast and the stakes for our country, Hawaii and the world have never been greater.
Willes K. Lee
Chairman
Hawaii Republican Party
Winter weather brings woe to homeless
On wet and windy winter days like we've been having there's nothing quite like curling up on the couch with a blanket, a warm beverage and a good book. What a relaxing way to spend a day. Now imagine being homeless. Take away the couch. Take away the dry blanket. Take away the warm beverage. Maybe you can still have the good book, but try finding a dry place to sit and read it. Wet and windblown and weary from working each day to survive -- that's winter in Hawaii if you're homeless.
Sure we don't have the same killing freezes as New York or Chicago, but homelessness in Hawaii still takes its toll. Health is slowly eroded day after day, washed away with each drenching downpour. It doesn't matter why you are out there. The rain doesn't care if you're a veteran, a runaway, a drug addict or an unemployed single parent who can't afford rent. Everyone living on the streets gets wet.
Isn't it time that all of the people of Hawaii shared in the sunshine of the Aloha State and no one was left out in the cold and rain? Let's spend this winter working together to provide the much needed shelter and services for those most in need so that come next winter there will be a roof over every head.
Alika Campbell
Kailua