Bumper stickers show support for principles
The Democratic Party's philosophy of political inclusion made it possible for local people to become leaders in government. Through the dedicated efforts of our grandparents, we have the opportunity to hold local and state elected office. The Democratic Party is fighting to protect this right, even for our grandchildren.Candidates from other political parties want us to vote for change. They are being supported by newcomers. Where is the respect and dedication for the work of our ancestors? What will happen to the idea of inclusion? Our culture and appreciation for the local way of life is being threatened by this demand for change.
How can we stand up and be counted? We can do this in very simple, visible ways. For example, even though hundreds of faithful Democratic supporters have attended rallies for Governor Cayetano and Lt. Governor Hirono, only a handful of cars can be seen with their bumper stickers. Why is this?
By putting these stickers on cars, you will be saying that you agree with the vision of the kid from Kalihi and of the daughter of a single-parent immigrant from Japan.
Allen X. Lino
Pahoa, Hawaii
Governor's attack on Koki reeks of desperation
Is Governor Cayetano so insecure about his re-election chances that he must resort to attacking people's religious beliefs? Since when did being a Christian become a disqualifier for public office? Would the governor say the same of someone who is Buddhist, Jewish or Mormon?This attack on Stan Koki is a desperate political campaign seeking to find a wedge issue to alienate voters from the Lingle campaign train, which has a pretty good head of steam these days. Koki's life is a matter of public record and is certainly not marked by intolerance and disrespect for the rights of others.
If Cayetano "can't imagine anything more frightening than to have someone like Stan Koki one heartbeat away from the governorship," he needs a reality check.
Mark Spengler
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Maui is great place thanks to its mayor
Before coming to Maui, I owned a business on Oahu. It was a nightmare to deal with state offices. Almost everyone you dealt with was suspicious and tense. Many company owners I knew concurred with me.After coming to Maui and opening a new business, I found the business atmosphere to be much more relaxed. The county and even some state offices on Maui are really there to help you. I can clearly see that, in this county, government works with and for the people.
Mayor Lingle has made a difference. Maui is still a much better place to live and work than any other island.
A few years back, several of Maui's communities were listed in Money magazine's "Top 100 Boom Towns in America." A boom town represented one of the best places for a person or family to live and work with respect to expenses, income and job opportunities.
On Nov. 3, vote with confidence for change. Let's get the state moving!
Francis Okudara
Wailuku, Maui
Lingle's priorities don't come through in her ads
I've been reading a lot lately about Linda Lingle's record as mayor of Maui and some real questions have been raised in my mind.Her hiring of her then-husband for county business was, at the least, unethical. Her resistance to pay fair wages to the working people of Maui and her unwillingness to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the Maui sewage mess concern me.
I'm wondering now about her priorities. Hawaii needs a leader who will protect our fragile environment, practice integrity in hiring, and place value in the working people.
Lingle's ads look good, but they don't seem to represent who she is and what she's really done.
Teri A. Borengasser-Gomes
Kaneohe
'Locals' must unite and support Cayetano
It has always been a part of the local culture to be silent yet effective. Governor Ariyoshi took advantage of this and was known as "silent but effective."Today, however, our silence is being used against us. It could quite easily result in a win for the newcomer's choice for governor, and a loss of our local way of life -- maybe forever.
This would be a sad future for our children and their children, almost comparable to the loss of the Hawaiian people after the overthrow of their queen by the Republicans of that day.
Now is the time for all local people -- regardless of racial make-up, religious preference, political party, professional status, hurt feelings or "whateva" -- to vocally and openly support our local-boy governor, Ben Cayetano, and to keep Hawaii local.
Gordon Ignacio
Hilo, Hawaii
Democrats are known for playing race card
Mayor Harris blew it. He should have sat this one out. The Democrats always appeal to ethnic and socio-economic factors, and this campaign is no exception.Need recent examples? OK:
Lt. Governor Hirono's blatantly racial pitch on her TV commercial, showing the ship that her mother came on from Japan. What did that add to our knowledge of Hirono's qualifications?
Mayor Harris should apologize to GOP Chairwoman Donna Alcantara. She was right.
Bob Tassie
Kailua
Linda Lingle represents change for the better
At last the primary election is over. The next major political decision will be made on Nov. 3. It shall decide who is to lead our state for the next four years.Will we have four more years of the same union-controlled politics, represented by Governor Cayetano, or will we follow Linda Lingle and her plan of government, where the business of the state will be conducted as a business for the good of all the people and is responsive to their needs?
A new leadership could be dramatic, especially if contributed to by a team of concerned people devoid of serious political affiliation. Hawaii could regain its proper place on the list of great places to live and work.
Now is the time for all candidates to consider the constructive contributions they can make to Hawaii, then come forward with offers of cooperation and service. Lingle can and will do it when she is elected governor.
James M. Greenwell
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Lingle avoided appearance at Kapolei public forum
I am disturbed by the way Linda Lingle is conducting her campaign.I coordinated a candidates forum for Kapolei on Aug. 20. I invited the three main gubernatorial candidates. I was told that Lingle would not appear with Fasi and would attend only after the primary election. When I asked why, I was told that Lingle was afraid she would not get her message across if Fasi were there.
I assured her that our forum would be conducted orderly and fairly. Lingle still declined. Cayetano and Fasi attended our forum.
According to KITV4 News, however, Lingle's campaign manager, Bob Awana, said he informed "Kapolei officials of the conflict as far back as April and said they were unwilling to find another mutually agreeable date."
This is a gross misrepresentation of the truth. I personally spoke to Awana and have detailed notes and dates of our conversations.
The Kapolei community very much wanted to meet Lingle. We are extremely worried that she will delay the opening of Kapolei High School and that she will cancel the construction of UH-West Oahu in Kapolei.
If this is how Lingle plans to serve as governor, I don't like it one bit.
Greg Peterson
Kapolei
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