City loans help consumers go solar
We are all aware of global warming and the importance of reducing our consumption of oil. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to use solar collectors on our roofs to heat our water.
The City & County of Honolulu has money to loan homeowners for purchasing solar water heating systems. Interest charged on these loans is 0 percent for low-income families and 2 percent for middle-income families. Loans are repaid with the savings your solar collectors provide, which HECO estimates at 20 to 30 percent of your total electric bill. After the loan is paid off, you will benefit from lower bills.
This is too good an offer for homeowners to pass up. We in Hawaii should think seriously about the possibility of having a solar collector on every roof. Sunshine is free, and it's clean. It should be used instead of imported oil.
For information and applications, call the City & County of Honolulu Rehabilitation Loan Branch at 523-4207 or go to www.co.honolulu.hi.us/dcs/housingloans.htm.
Roxie Berlin
Honolulu
Get corporate money out of elections
I join fellow Hawaii voters in calling upon our elected officials to stop the impending tsunami of corporate money in Hawaii's campaigns.
The overwhelming influence of money in campaigns has tarnished our democracy. Candidates must raise campaign funds from people, not corporate treasuries. Corporations already have great influence in the democratic process through campaign donations from their officers, employees and the lobbyists they hire.
Every citizen must be able to participate in the political process without being overshadowed by large corporate campaign donations.
The federal government and 22 states have prohibited corporate donations to candidates. Hawaii deserves no less. Therefore, I urge our elected officials to enact legislation to ban corporations from donating to candidates for public office.
Nadine Newlight
Paia, Maui
Muggers might be posing as victims
Wednesday afternoon after work, I got off the bus and began to walk home, when a woman called to me to help her friend, who was crouched on the ground coughing. Ordinarily I would immediately try to help someone, but something didn't feel right, and my initial thought was, why wasn't she doing anything herself to help her friend? She was just standing there. So I backed up a bit, pulled my cell phone out and said I would call an ambulance, which I proceeded to do.
At this time, another woman got out of a maroon car behind me and began to approach. The first woman motioned to her and said, "No, go back." Simultaneously, a Hawaiian Electric truck saw us and pulled over to offer assistance, but the woman said that everything was fine and motioned them on. Meanwhile, the 911 operator was asking if I needed an ambulance. Confused, I said, no, I guess not, and I thanked him and hung up.
As soon as the HECO truck pulled away, the coughing woman jumped up and all three women rushed to the maroon car, got in and took off. As they got in, I saw a male slumped in the front passenger seat, peering out. I finally understood: I believe they were going to mug me, or worse. I called the Honolulu Police Department to report the incident. Thank goodness for the Hawaiian Electric crew (who probably have no idea that their concern might have saved my life).
Do continue to be good Samaritans, but also, go with caution. In the end, as they say, the life you save might be your own.
G. Cabato
Honolulu
Punahou degree isn't qualification for office
I support our esteemed senator, Dan Inouye, in what he said about Sen. Barack Obama. I have been a resident of Oahu for 72 years, and know absolutely nothing about Obama. All I have heard is that he was born in Hawaii and attended Punahou School. Most of my relatives were born in Hawaii and attended Punahou also. This does not make them qualified to be president.
Obama left the islands to attend college on the mainland, married and settled in Illinois. He has not done anything meaningful for Hawaii. He is a young, smooth talker with good script writers. I do not believe that he is groomed for the highest office of president of the United States. Actions speak louder than fancy speeches. Show us actions, Senator Obama! Just because you convinced a woman of color, Oprah Winfrey, to support you does not make you qualified for this office.
The people of Hawaii need to educate themselves and not just go with the flow because of the birthplace of a candidate. We need a true leader who has the tenacity, knowledge and experience like Sen. HiIlary Clinton to lead our great country in the next eight years. Imua Kamehameha from a descendant of the great Kamehameha line.
Beverly Rose Keohoolani Robinson Kahalewai Addington
Waimanalo
Paul still has chance to get GOP nod
I was elected as a delegate to the Republican state convention. I'll be voting for the Ron Paul slate of delegates to the national convention. Now I know that some of you will be wondering why, since John McCain clearly has the convention all wrapped up and will be the Republican nominee.
This is why I'm still supporting Paul: His stands on the issues are much better than those of McCain. At ronpaul2008.com, the various issues are discussed with clarity, and are a breath of fresh air.
Again, why support him if he has no chance? First, in politics there is rarely such a thing as "no chance." Things happen, and the unbelievable happens. So there is value in continuing to support someone. Second, by supporting Paul I am telling the world that I like his record and his positions. If many of us do this, our support might get the attention of others. Otherwise, Paul would be too easily dismissed by certain talk-show hosts.
When you vote for someone because you think he will be a winner, you are a loser. You lose the opportunity to do what is right and support what is right. You lose the opportunity to let the world know where you stand. So I'll continue to support Paul, come heck or high water.
Mark Terry
Honolulu