Voters are smart enough to learn what's important
Most of Hawaii voters are above being snared into one or another candidate's camp by subtle or not-so-subtle ethnic appeals, rather than on record, qualifications, personal integrity and vision of each candidate.I also believe that these same voters are aghast at certain candidates and their supporters who feel they must use rumors, half-truths or total fabrications to confuse the voters.
After a lifetime in Hawaii, I have developed a high opinion of Hawaii's ethnic groups. It is my firm belief that they are discerning citizens who care about the issues and are able to screen out the "garbage" when they enter the voting booth.
They will vote for those candidates who they believe offer us the best opportunity to lift our beloved state out of the morass into which it has been led.
David K. Kennedy
Stop trying to push irradiated fruit
I am for the initiative to ban irradiation, purely for economic reasons. Even though irradiation is safe enough, it is very unsafe financially:
The reputation of Hawaii and our fruits is one of purity and health. The "image" of irradiation to U.S. consumers is exactly the opposite. That is why a survey in "The Packer" showed that only one-third of consumers will buy irradiated fruit. If the survey is limited to papaya purchasers, that percentage will drop, since most consumers purchase papaya for their health, to prevent or cure cancer, etc. Irradiation does not emit a healthy connotation, whether true or not.
So why are the state and county pushing irradiation so hard? Do they want to smash our papaya industry?
Michael J. Durkan
President and Manager
Big Island Papaya Growers
Cooperative
Keeau, Hawaii
Patient rights enhanced with passage of bill
SB 2297 was finally signed into law by the governor. Sheer perseverance on the part of the Hawaii Coalition for Health (HCFH) and other groups led to passage of this valuable law, which will protect patient rights in health care.A special thanks to Dr. Arleen Jouxson-Meyers, president of HCFH, and Professor Richard Miller, one of HCFH's legal consultants, for their devotion to this task.
Patients in Hawaii now have, among many other protections, the right to make an appeal to the insurance commissioner if their health plans deny coverage for necessary care.
Gerianne Carr
Consumer Representative
Hawaii Coalition for Health
Maui's county employees are best in the state
Governor Cayetano and Frank Fasi, in their fear and frustration, have been making inordinate demands of Mayor Linda Lingle's agenda for restoring Hawaii's economy amd its appeal to potential out-of-state investors.Simply stated, it is because of her that mainland states are watching Hawaii with more than usual interest and admiration.
The public should not lose sight of the fact that Lingle's style of government is distinctly different from the heavy-handed political style of both Cayetano and Fasi. Her style alone will bring about a feeling of optimism and hope totally absent in the current administration.
Lingle believes government should work cooperatively with business and the community. She believes government offices should be staffed with people who are trained to serve the public and to be helpful, rather than domineering.
Ask anyone who does business in Hawaii and you will very quickly learn that, on Maui, government employees serve helpfully.
James M. Greenwell
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Lingle avoids answering the tough questions
How about getting some straightforward answers from gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle? Her stock responses deflect into irrelevant topics:
One more question: Is Lingle reporting your coverage of her as in-kind donations?
Pete Correa
Waipahu
Cayetano will support Hawaii agriculture
Although Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle talks about her "Maui Model," I wonder how she could possibly face the tremendous statewide challenges with resources limited to experience on one small island.During the last four years, seven sugar plantations on three islands have shut down, leaving thousands of sugar workers and their families without a livelihood. This has not happened on Maui, although even Lingle cannot take credit for that.
What will she do for agriculture statewide? She has not mentioned any economic revitalization other than tourism. Governor Cayetano, on the other hand, has come out strongly for agriculture, building on our land base, water resources, new markets and human resources.
Margarita Fernandez
Hilo, Hawaii
Lame duck status won't be good for Hawaii
If Ben Cayetano is re-elected, this will only signal, on the part of the public, an unwillingness to change and an acceptance of our sad economic plight for the next four years. Cayetano will have little or no incentive to be accountable to Hawaii's voters during his second and final term.However, if Linda Lingle is elected, she would have to be answerable to the public to get a second term. Definitely, I prefer this scenario. That is why I am voting for Lingle.
Shelton G.W. Jim On
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