Don't give up hope yet on
future of small business

In response to Shirley Hasenyager's Sept. 18 letter regarding "double talk" from the governor's office, I totally understand her frustration with the economic environment for small businesses in our state. However, let me offer some clarification and perhaps some hope.

The Small Business Task Force on Regulatory Relief was indeed established by the Legislature. However, the task force idea originated from a recommendation by the 1995 Hawaii Congress on Small Business.

The establishment of the task force was possible both with the support of the Legislature and the governor. In fact the task force, comprising 15 small business advocates, was appointed by the governor without any exclusions of nominees submitted by the Hawaii Congress on Small Business.

None of our members have ever been asked to resign. In fact, the Legislature passed a bill earlier this year, which the governor signed, extending the task force until June 1999, giving us an extended opportunity to further address regulatory reform in Hawaii.

Tim Moore
Chairman
Small Business Task Force
on Regulatory Relief

No one was treated rudely
at Natatorium discussion

As a supporter of a restored beach and memorial arch at the Natatorium, I was among those who attended and spoke at the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board meeting which addressed the monument's restoration proposals.

The comments made by Linda Dizon in her Sept. 20 letter are a distortion of the truth, to say the least. Other than one shouted comment to an architect who spoke, there was no interruption of the speakers; certainly no one was "shouted down" as Dizon claims.

I am a veteran who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. To use Dizon's phrase "shocked at the rudeness," this perfectly describes the way I feel regarding the Natatorium restoration project since this includes a restored salt-water pool (with charged admission) as well as a possible gift shop and concession.

The conversion of the memorial site into a money-making venture dishonors those who gave their lives in World War I and demeans their sacrifice. Yes, this truly shocks me.

Stanley D. Wild

Don't applaud pastor
who is trying to prove point

In reference to Diane Chang's Sept. 19 column, "Pastor's passion for public education," I would hesitate to trust the leadership and wisdom of someone who, having the wherewithal to do otherwise, would sacrifice his own child on the altar of our present public education system -- especially if it is merely to make the point that he supports the system.

My only plea to legislators who send their children to private schools is that they be consistent (President Clinton, take note!) and support the idea of vouchers that would enable parents with less resources to also send their children to private school.

At the same time, this would create the badly needed competition for the tax dollar that the DOE monopoly desperately needs to spur it to radical reform.

Personally, I'm extremely glad that, not without a lot of financial hardship, my wife and I were able to send our son to one of six fine Lutheran elementary schools on Oahu and Maui.

Donald W. Baron

Police are driving forc
behind catching speeders

While driving home on Kamehameha Highway from work, I spotted four hidden police cars ready to pounce on unsuspecting motorists. The officers located themselves behind trees, just around bends and over hill crests.

As this obvious sting operation unfolded before me, one thought came to mind: Thank you!

It's about time we took on the problem of speeding in our neighborhoods. I have two young children and I'm scared to death that something will happen to them on our streets.

Mahalo to the Honolulu Police Department in Wahiawa. Keep up the good work.

Rob Rooker
Mililani

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Bishop Estate Archive

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