It's not Asian tradition
to celebrate on Dec. 31
Lee has a right to protest the fireworks ban, but he shouldn't hide behind the religious freedom banner. Traditional Chinese celebrate New Year according to the lunar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Any ban on fireworks will have no impact at all on Lee's religious rights.
He can easily mount his high horse and head down to City Hall to get a permit that will allow him to burn firecrackers on lunar new year and other Chinese holidays and at weddings and funerals.
The burning of fireworks on Dec. 31 is a tradition thing, not a religion thing.
Harrison Lee
Kaneohe
Mainland will boycott
irradiated isle fruit
If this facility is built, we want all our Hawaiian friends to know that a number of national organizations will organize a boycott of all Hawaiian fruit in order to protect ourselves.
In order to prevent this, we hope you will join us in opposing this misguided effort by Mayor Yamashiro. We don't want radiation in our fruit!
Ross Bishop
Santa Fe, N.M.
(Via the Internet)
Electric company
should tap its parent's wallet
If HECO is truly devoid of the wherewithal to bury its unsightly wiring, might I suggest it seek financial assistance from its parent company, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.? I'm sure HEI could spare a few bucks considering its recent exponential rise in profits (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 27).
I doubt that HEI would be motivated by financial benevolence in preserving Oahu's last vestige of unspoiled beauty. However, in light of the excessive wind, rain and salt damage exacted on HECO's utility lines during the recent winter storms, and the numerous power outages that ensued, it would be wise for HEI and HECO to permanently bury their utility lines, and save their country customers from the continual upkeep of their aesthetically degrading transmission lines.
Mark Gerum
Haleiwa
Judge Aiona is epitome of
fair and wise judge
Judge Aiona is one of the hardest-working, best-respected and no-nonsense judges in Hawaii. He volunteered to take on the drug court, a pioneering program of the Judiciary that attempts to save people before they get the book thrown at them. He could have just as easily taken an easier assignment.
Look at his record on violent criminals who have appeared before him for sentencing. Judge Aiona has handed down maximum sentences on a multitude of violent offenders.
If you hurt someone or have established yourself to be a career criminal, bring your toothbrush if you appear before Judge Aiona. You'll need it. However, if you've taken a wrong turn and there is genuine hope that making a return to society is in your cards, pray that you appear before him.
He will put himself on the line for anyone who has a true chance of rehabilitation.
Dean E. Ochiai
Questions abound after
the killing of Arlene Marzan
I have some other questions about Arlene Marzan's horrifying death:
If a man pleads no contest to an abuse charge, does he just walk? How many times?
Was Saldy Marzan appearing for regular visits with his parole attorney? If yes, was he given any drug screening tests? If not, why wasn't this reported to the court for revocation of parole?
Did he show up for the court-ordered anger management classes?
Why do the abusers "rights" become so important that he is allowed to plea bargain after many previous arrests for violent crimes?
Why didn't the court order him into drug treatment since drugs have been at the root of his violence?
Why isn't Hawaii seeking knowledge from other states that have had more success in curbing domestic violence?
How do the attorneys connected with this case sleep at night?
Marilyn Moe
Kailua