Mayor was the first to bring up ethnicity
Regarding your
July 4 article in which Mayor Mufi Hannemann is cited as mentioning his Samoan background (and size) as a problem with his rail stance: Two days later I am still boggled by the statement.
I am haole and voted for Hannemann, although I won't do so again. From the moment he announced he was running for mayor to the moment of writing this letter I have never, ever, once heard a comment from anyone regarding his ethnic background -- until now, when he himself brings it up, apparently to gather sympathy. Ridiculous doesn't even begin to describe his comment.
Rianna Williams
Honolulu
Thieves leave visitors with bad memories
My daughter and I are frequent visitors to Hawaii, this being the sixth time. We always look forward to it, especially as we are able to shop for friends and family. On our departure on July 3, we had stopped off at Ala Moana Center to have our dinner prior to our flight at 10 p.m. We had our luggage in our rental car and were only in the food court for about one hour.
Imagine our shock when we opened the trunk of our rental, a Chrysler Sebring convertible, to find that my daughter's two luggages were gone. One was a new luggage with all her new clothes, shoes and leather bags as well as Hawaii souvenirs for her brother's house. Also taken was her other bag with all her personal effects. She had to leave Hawaii with only the clothes she had on!
This has been a horrifying experience and you can count on Hawaii being struck off our travel list in the future.
Also we will be now discouraging anybody from coming to Hawaii. ... and I was always the first to promote your island before!
Mable Lim
Brampton, Ontario
Canada
Elected officials should have call-in TV shows
If the City Council and state Legislature want more citizen input and participation in government, they should have a live telephone call-in suggestion/comment line during the live telecast on 'Olelo cable television.
Not everyone has a computer and e-mail, but most people own a phone and a TV. It would save gas, bus fare and parking money to attend the public hearings.
Our state consists of seven major isles and not everyone can attend in person. There should be no excuse for anyone not to share their ideas and opinions with their elective officials.
Alvin Wong
Pearl City
Stop making new laws against American men
I was pictured in one of the photos from the smokers' rally Sunday at the Capitol
("Island Images," Star-Bulletin, July 7). I am fighting for my freedoms. The smoking ban is just the symptom of a larger problem -- the decline of the American male.
I go to work every day, support my family, pay taxes and consume products and services. But I also like to relax and enjoy myself. I do not understand why those in government continue to pass laws and regulations that attack the middle class of this country. Sometimes I think the government actually forms committees and drafts list of things men like to do then systematically outlaws, restricts or overtaxes them to prevent men from having fun.
I am old enough and responsible enough that I do not need the Nanny State to tell me how to live. It is time for this nonsense to stop. I for one am willing to stand up and fight for my liberty and freedom. Don't tread on me!
Robert Dunn
Pearl City
What are patriots to do in the face of tyranny?
What is an American patriot to do? We have fascist war criminals intentionally weakening the country so as to declare martial law and suspend the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We have a Congress that has abdicated its responsibility to the American people and gone along with the fascists. Before it is too late, America, we must throw out all the fascist incumbents who have sold out our country, impeach and prosecute the guilty war criminals and change the direction of America, the last hope for the world! You see, the Constitution and Bill of Rights are the only things standing between the fascists and their tyranny. What to do?
Michael Rueli
Honolulu
Allow access to beach at least 1 day a year
Land of the free? Apparently not in Kailua. Yes, the signs said "Private Road, NO Beach Access," but surely on this one night of the year when Kailua Beach is the gathering place to view fireworks, "outsiders" who do not actually live on that lane would be allowed to pass by as we have done for more than 20 years. But no -- a gate that we did not know existed stood locked. Fortunately we were allowed to enter with the privileged ones who had the gate code.
Yes, it is your right to close your private road. But how hard would it have been to prop the gate open for one hour on this special night? How offensive is it to have strangers walking in front of your homes anyway? News flash -- we all have strangers walking and driving by -- sometimes speeding, if you live on a shortcut used by all to avoid the traffic on Oneawa. We have had litter, noisy kids, loud thumping radios, vandalism and car theft because everyone is allowed on our road. We have also made friends with those who pass. So "land of the free" seems to depend on your address.
Maryalice Woody
Kailua