HVCB should foot bill for Miss Universe pageant
Hawaii lacks leadership in the House and Senate. The funds for the Miss Universe Pageant should have come from the $60 million allotted the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, not from funds that could be used for education or social programs.As soon as the Miss Universe pageant receives the $3.3 million, $1.1 million goes into the pocket of Donald Trump, who owns the rights to the pageant.
Governor Cayetano should veto the bill and make the HVCB supply the $3.3 million from its own budget, since it is supposed to bring many visitors to Hawaii.
Frances Hardy
(Via the Internet)
Moon picked good site for Hilo Judiciary complex
Much has been written about Chief Justice Ronald Moon's selection of the J.C. Penney site for the new Judiciary complex in Hilo. Unfortunately, the articles -- and particularly your April 2 editorial -- have created a completely inaccurate impression.In 1994, Chief Justice Moon asked the Judiciary's Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution to solicit public input and to seek consensus from the East Hawaii community on acceptable sites for a judiciary complex.
After a comprehensive public process, seven consensus sites emerged, including the Penney site. Then, Group 70 International Inc., contracted by the Department of Accounting and General Services, conducted a detailed site evaluation and environmental impact study. The Penney site was rated the most favorable.
In the meantime, almost a year ago, Hawaii County Mayor Stephen Yamashiro initiated discussions with Chief Justice Moon regarding the county's interest in the Judiciary selecting the Penney site. The mayor said that a Judiciary complex located on the Penney site would be consistent with the county's plans to develop a civic center in the Kaikoo district, and would aid in revitalizing the Hilo economy.
Therefore, we were stunned by the reaction of the Hawaii County administration, which included "outrage," "shock," "sadness," and accusations that the Judiciary was trying to "seize" county land and that the county was being "muscled" by the Judiciary.
We also deeply regret your editorial suggesting that the Judiciary is "moving in without regard for the county's plans," when on the same day that the editorial appeared you ran a news story that included the mayor's statement that he had been in contact with the Judiciary, and that the Judiciary's selection was a "good choice."
Marsha E. Kitagawa
Public Affairs Director
The Judiciary, State of Hawaii
Public schools are being micromanaged to death
No wonder our Legislature never gets anything substantive done: They get bogged down with minutiae like the minimum age for kindergarten. This is something best left up to the Board of Education and/or each SCBM school.Kids will always vary when it comes to their chronological age vs. their readiness for school.
We're letting two bureaucracies, the Legislature and the BOE, muddle things up to the nth degree!
Alan T. Matsuda
Kalama Valley
(Via the Internet)
Kawananakoa must debate Ward in congressional race
In his quest for the GOP nomination for Hawaii's 1st U.S. Congressional District, state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa has carefully avoided any legitimate debate with his only real opponent, Rep. Gene Ward.It's understandable why Kawananakoa would avoid such a debate. Although he has managed to secure a leadership role in the state GOP, he has really done so with the advantage of huge financial resources and his young, movie-star good looks.
While Ward has stood firmly for conservative principles -- opposing same-sex marriage, fighting pro-choice legislation and opposing labor unions -- Ka-wananakoa has come down firmly on both sides of all of those issues.
Ward has been Hawaii's point man in the conservative revolution, while Kawananakoa has changed his message as often as he changes his stylish aloha shirts. Only in a debate against Ward, forced to articulate his real positions, can we pin Kawananakoa down and find out what he really stands for.
Reed Alexander
Kailua
(Via the Internet)
It's not crazy to vote straight Republican ticket
While our state in general has endured financial slaughtering, the island of Maui, by economists' consensus, has fared better than most. Experts attribute it to "leadership." The visionary leadership has a name: Linda Lingle.Maui is home to a new world-class aquarium; has hosted that well-known purloined sports event, in a timely completed, refurbished stadium; and made privatization the resounding reply to bureaucratic red tape and then invited mega-tech businesses to set up shop in "her own backyard." It's pretty obvious that Mayor Lingle has a plan for her island's survival that includes the far-reaching future.
When I cast my vote for Lingle, I'm going to do something really crazy. I'm going to vote a straight Republican ticket even if I don't know the candidates. That way, it may cancel out that one person who will, by blind loyalty, vote the same way for the "other" party.
Yeah, crazy like a fox.
Maureen B. Ko
Cayetano, Democrats are dishonest about reform bill
As our governor, I considered Ben Cayetano to be honest and fair, until recently. His effort to amend the campaign spending law would give him a big advantage in this year's tough election.Contrary to his denials, this change appears to be aimed at stifling his primary opponent, Republican Linda Lingle. This amounts to altering the rules in the middle of the game.
Someone once said, "Adversity does not mold character but reveals it." This action by the governor and those who introduced and supported the bill is disgraceful.
The political climate in Hawaii is in desperate need of change. Enough of politicians more interested in self survival than doing what is right.
Linda Lingle is bright, positively energetic and has a "can-do" attitude. I believe she deserves a chance!
Chuck Tokuhama
Mililani
Guns aren't to blame for tragedy in Arkansas
Despite many recent news stories to the contrary, gun control is not the major problem today in either the Jonesboro, Ark. situation or in American life in general.Current federal laws are very strict. True "assault weapons" have been basically illegal since 1935. Those under 18 (or convicted felons and the insane) cannot even purchase ammunition much less a rifle or shotgun, and those under 21 cannot purchase handguns or ammunition for same. Federal law is clear and cannot be lowered; most states have laws that are even more strict.
However, honest citizens and guns have a long and proud tradition in America. Our so-called "love affair with the gun" has produced right-to-carry gun laws in 22 states so far. And in every state reporting, violent crime against individuals fell drastically in those states where honest citizens were allowed to carry guns. The conclusion is also clear: Guns save lives.
In cases like Jonesboro, where an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old ambushed and shot their teacher and classmates, the media have been swift to blame guns.
But guns are not the problem. A lack of responsibility is the problem. It is the responibility of the parents to control their children. Not the schools, not the government, not society at-large. Parents.
Alex Wakal
Wahiawa
(Via the Internet)
Where is public outrage over Jonesboro deaths?
Perhaps I am one of only a handful of mothers who are outraged about the Jonesboro, Ark. killings and the American public's apathy toward such an atrocity. This so-called "gun culture" bull has been touted as an American tradition, but it is as obsolete as the wagon train and Pony Express.To gun fanatics and the National Rifle Association, the rationale is that if one respects and is trained to handle a gun properly, these things wouldn't happen. It is a thin excuse for wanting to own a deadly "toy."
The Jonesboro killings have illustrated once more the indifference that pervades the American public toward guns and violent assaults with such weapons. Apathy is a universal killer.
P.Y. Manfredi
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