Governor Cayetano has cut spending
A.A. Smyser's Oct. 1 column was interesting but contained one grievous error. The governor has more than slowed the growth of state spending; he has cut it and the cuts are significant:
We have more children to educate, especially in the high cost area of special education, which increased 50 percent from 12,119 in fiscal year '95 to 18,108 in fiscal year '99. Mental health services for children have increased more than five times from a clientele of 1,615 in FY '95 to 9,400 in FY '99.
In direct contrast, Maui County's spending levels since Mayor Linda Lingle took over increased by an annual average of 8.3 percent over FY '91 to the '97 period. The percentage increase is the largest of all four counties in that period.
Earl I. Anzai
State Director of Finance
Editor's note: A.A. Smyser was referring to a speech by Governor Cayetano saying the number of state employees still is increasing by 1 percent a year.Multi-track schools are nothing to brag about
How dare Ben Cayetano go around advertising that he is concerned about education and how he's building 11 new schools with 900 classrooms. He's building multi-track schools. He's designing and building schools too small for their projected enrollments.Multi-track schools take square footage from classrooms for more air-conditioned office space for vice principals, counselors and staff. The same amount of money could be used to build a traditional school.
Governor, of the schools that you're building, how many are designed as multi-track? According to the Department of Education in the next five years, it's 11 of the 13 schools to be opened.
So tell us again, governor, how are you going to influence education for our state?
As for our Board of Education incumbents, they have allowed multi-track to become a reality without regard to the policies they pass. Voters need to take a good close look at where our BOE representatives have taken us and decide if we're going to continue down that road in the next four years.
Jo Ann Inouye
Mililani
It's a minister's job to correct sinners
It's understandable when nonbelievers and those not learned in the word of God and the Bible are not able to judge right from wrong in the same-sex marriage issue. But for pastors, who claim to be ministers of Christ, to deviate from God's laws and to condone this activity, in Jesus' name, is an abomination in God's eyes and totally reprehensible.If these ministers really loved these sinners, they would rebuke them, show them the error of their ways, bring them to confession and snatch them from the jaws of hell.
All you ministers who condone same-sex marriage: How can you say you love these sinners so you tolerate them, and then just let them go their merry way straight to hell?
Dona Hanohano-Medeiros
Hauula
Hatred is pervasive in message from clergy
I have thought and prayed about writing this letter for many months now. Although I am not supposed to speak out publicly against my church leaders, my conscience will no longer allow me to remain silent about the issues surrounding same-sex marriage.As a Catholic and Hawaiian, I am horrified and ashamed by the messages some of our religious leaders are promoting. Their recent public comments and TV commercials are perpetuating myths about gays and lesbians. These are dangerous messages because they breed fear and hatred.
To those who promote this belittling, defaming and wounding of others, please know that it is out of love that I pray for you. I do not believe that you have learned the meaning or significance of aloha and ohana in this culture. In this community, all are believed to be blessed children of God. Please vote "no" on the constitutional amendment.
M. Palama Lee
Kaneohe
Magic is needed to make traffic woes disappear
Congratulations to John Hirokawa, his Magic of Polynesia show and its new home in the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. The show's success is well deserved. However, I hope his magic is powerful enough to make the congestion caused by those who wish to park at the Beachcomber to see his show disappear.The only entry is to cross the pedestrian-filled sidewalk at Kalakaua Avenue and Duke's Lane. At show's end, exiting will be extremely slow since the only exit is on Kuhio Avenue.
Cars will have to vie with pedestrians who use the lane as a Kalakaua-Kuhio access. Cars that attempt to enter Duke's Lane will be stymied by pedestrians, causing waiting cars to block Kalakaua's mauka lane.
If this weren't bad enough, at peak show periods, this backlog of cars will merge with those 50 yards behind, which usually tie up two mauka lanes, trying to make left turns into Seaside Avenue to park at the Waikiki Theatres and Waikiki Trade Center lots.
If Hirokawa's potent magic can make this problem disappear, perhaps he can then perform a greater feat -- breaking the spell that put our city planners into a stupor ages ago.
Richard Y. Will
UH is doing well getting research money
Recently, the UH Office of Research Service published its report on extramural funding for fiscal year 1998, posting about $160 million in new awards. This is within $1 million of last year's record-breaking funding level. Although research is primarily motivated by the quest for fundamental knowledge, it also contributes to the achievement of economic and strategic goals.It is essential to invest wisely in science and engineering research and education to provide our population with the knowledge and skills needed to function effectively in an increasingly knowledge-based society.
This public investment in research will eventually "pay-off" in terms of development of new ideas, improvement of productive capacity and fostering an environment that stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship.
Alan H. Teramura
Senior Vice President, Research Dean, Graduate Division
University of Hawaii-Manoa
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