And the band paid on? What a dumb idea
We're treated to remarkable news these days, but none more so than the outright stupidity of Dwight Toyama, oia executive director, who finds that getting high school bands into athletic events without paying is "a hardship on everybody."Tell you what, Dwight. If the band pays to play, so should the athletes. The rest of the country will have a wonderful laugh.
Bruce Benson
(Via the Internet)
The entire OIA steering committee needs to be SACKED. If the band must pay, how about the state paying minimum wage for services rendered. Or how about red lining all principals for adult educations. They are not needed!
Is a band needed? You bet your life. The governor should step in and get rid of these fumbling fools.
John Pelish
(Via the Internet)
Guardrails were placed on wrong part of highway
Whoever put the stamp of approval on the work order to install three miles of guardrails along Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo does not live or drive this stretch on holidays or weekends.People park next to the railing and must open their doors into the oncoming traffic. In order to unload cars of beach paraphernalia (children, pets and tourists), someone has to step into oncoming cars. Also, after installing the guardrails, the city failed to leave openings for the disabled.
Why can't the transportation division take these guardrails to the area along Kalanianaole Highway at Bamboo Ridge? There is an urgent need for railings along the coastline from Lanai Lookout to the Blow Hole.
Everyone is claiming no money for replacements, but this is just one problem that wouldn't exist if people had done their homework.
A. Peters
Waimanalo
Judge Simms' leniency makes system look bad
As a former narcotics special agent, I am appalled at the decision of Judge Sandra Simms, who granted Rodney Balbirona until Jan. 12 to comply with the conditions of his probation. This was done over the prosecutor's strong objections. With judges like this, is there any wonder why law enforcement doesn't get any respect?Martin Halsey Grubb
Pearl City
State doesn't care about businesses on mall
It is a misconception that Hawaii Pacific University is the only entity on the Fort Street Mall concerned about the placement of a Clubhouse facility, for up to 300 severely mentally ill patients, in the lobby of the Blaisdell building.Little has been heard from the hundreds of others who will be affected by this move, because it wasn't announced until it was covered by the media as a "done deal." There was virtually no opportunity for input from the surrounding community.
Three hundred severely mentally ill, highly unstable patients, many of whom are dependent on serious drugs to maintain a modicum of normal function, would create a tremendous impact -- no matter where such a facility was placed. However, it is especially inappropriate to put it right in the heart of a college campus.
The state's behavior in this affair has been incredibly irresponsible. Instead of admitting an obvious and regrettable error in judgment and graciously withdrawing, state Health Director Larry Miike has engaged in a self-righteous, blustering, breast-beating campaign.
Where are you, Mr. Governor, when we need you? Do you think the thousands of people who use or live or work on or near Fort Street Mall are going to thank you for this disaster?
Kate Butterfield
Heco invests at expense of rate-paying customers
Your Sept. 4 article about Hawaiian Electric investing $100 million in a power plant in China has smoldered in my brain. Wasn't it just two years ago that Hawaiian Electric/American Savings bought Bank of America in Hawaii for an undisclosed amount in the high millions of dollars?Hmmm. My electric bills are an extravagant expense in our little condo. Essentially, I am making all of these interesting investments with my own electric payments!
A few years ago, we were unwilling customers of another privately held utility in the Seattle area. The rates of that utility were two to three times that of publicly held and run utilities in the Northwest.
But no problem for Hawaiian Electric. Its CEO receives a huge bonus every year. Its stockholders are wondering what to do with all the money in the coffers.
The fact is we have no choice in our public power utility but to pay exorbitant rates for power while that wealth is invested in mega-projects. Is the PUC watching this? Is anyone else "burning?"
Susanne Zike
Yes and no on
gay marriage issueHaving children was vital to Hawaiian families
In response to the Sept. 1 letter, "Ancient Hawaiians wouldn't ban gay marriage," the truth is that ancient Hawaiians, though perhaps tolerant of homosexual relationships, never elevated them to that of marriage between a man and a woman.Marriage between a man and a woman in ancient Hawaii began a process that united two families through the conception and birth of their child. In fact, the ability to have a child in such a relationship was so great that, if such marriage did not bear fruit, at the death of one partner such family ties could cease.
Paternity, maternity, genealogy and a sense of personal identity and continuity of our people was preserved with the marriage of a man and a woman. Therefore, I believe our Legislature must clarify the law and define that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman.
This is keeping with traditional Hawaiian practices and is the correct thing to do even in modern times.
William K. Wallace III
Laie
Stop printing nonsense about homosexuality
Steven Holck's Sept. 14 letter made the ridiculous "scientific" assertion that "homosexuality is a learned behavior." This, of course, is absolute nonsense.Does anyone who is a heterosexual think they can be taught to prefer sex with a person of the same gender? No amount of education could ever make me want to kiss the men on my bowling team!
It seems that you will print anything by the fanatical right-wing, so-called Christian fundamentalists, who will say and do anything to take away our civil rights. Have you no shame?
Alex Miedzwiadok
Some don't understand function of the courts
Kwock Young (Letters, Sept 4) seems to have missed a few civics classes when the tripartite nature of our republic was explained. The judiciary is not required to rule according to public opinion.Ours is a government of laws, not of popular excitements. Our Supreme Court, and that of the United States, are in place to assure, among other things, that the rights of minority citizens are protected in our democratic republic.
Christopher Scott
Marriage requires parties to be of different sexes
Marriage between a man and a woman is an institution. It has been in existence longer than any constitution. It cannot be redefined to fit a new lifestyle. Even gay people in their early lives understood marriage was a mother/father arrangement.It is not a civil rights issue because no one stops them from loving, living and having sex with anyone they choose. We understand that living with someone and marrying someone are worlds apart.
Because marriage customarily, traditionally and universally requires a man and woman, it is not a gender bias issue. It is a gender requirement issue.
How hypocritical to say don't tamper with the Constitution, when they want to tamper with the institution of marriage.
Ken Chang
Kaneohe
Homosexuals won't accept second-class citizenship
If Charles Memminger objects to being called a "bigot" (Honolulu Lite, Aug. 28), he should stop being one.Hawaii has a homegrown gay community complete with businesses, clubs, publications and religious institutions. These are real people, not an "evolving issue" thought up in a far away city. No matter the color of their skin, or why they became members of this community, all they want is equal protection under the law.
To avail themselves of this constitutional right, they sought redress in Hawaii's courts. After determining that the interests of all the people of Hawaii would in no way be compromised by granting equal protection to same-sex couples, those courts granted their petition.
It may be easier for Memminger to hold on to his prejudices, but I assure him gays won't settle for second-class citizenship.
Lucas A. Wheeler
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Letter to the Editor
