Advice, ideas and
warnings on isle economy

Concept of task force
can and will work well

There has been much criticism over the Economic Revitalization Task Force appointed by Governor Cayetano, Senate President Norman Mizuguchi and Speaker of the House Joe Souki. For anyone to question the integrity, initiative, dedication to Hawaii or can-do attitudes of these appointees, however, is simply ludicrous.

What we are experiencing is a lack of knowledge of the intended process. Backing up this task force will be a multitude of working groups, focus groups and the like.

For example, on the Garden Island, the Kauai Economic Development Board will host a Kauai Economic Coalition Conference on Aug. 26 for the express purpose of gathering input. This conference has received the utmost cooperation and planning assistance from all levels of the governor's administration. Attendance is open to the public and will include representatives from all business organizations on Kauai.

Recommendations as a result of this conference will be consolidated, quantified and presented to this task force as well as other groups/organizations that have specialized interests.

There are no quick fixes to this economic malady, only structural changes that will bring about long-term prosperity. I believe that the process can and will work, and that Governor Cayetano and this task force are on the right track.

I speak as a small-business owner involved in various community endeavors, including membership on the Small Business Task Force.

Gary J. Baldwin
Lihue, Kauai

Get ready, everybody!
Here comes a tax hike

So Governor Cayetano has announced his Economic Revitalization Task Force. Everyone hide your wallets, because here comes a tax increase!

This task force will push a new sales tax while recommending a reduction in state income tax. The Legislature will fail to pass the income tax reduction but will pass the sales tax increase. Don't worry, legislators will "promise to fix" this error next time.

If the governor really wanted to revitalize the economy, why weren't there task-force members from every aspect of the economy? Missing were people from agriculture (coffee, mac nut), small business, insurance companies, the visitor industry, airlines and tour agencies.

Why isn't someone from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau on this task force? Hawaii lives and dies on tourism.

If the governor thinks that small-business people are too busy to serve, I would do it. Or how about state Sen. Sam Slom?

Good luck, everyone. We are going to need it.

Sherman Takao
Kapolei

Possible scenarios from
task-force brainstorming

Governor Cayetano has created an economic task force to help our troubled state. It is too early to tell what new ideas will be presented, but it is entirely possible the following actions will be taken:

Gary Rodrigues of the United Public Workers union will have the Supreme Court rule that the Senate president and House speaker positions properly belong to the UPW.

Senate President Mizuguchi and House Speaker Souki will become card-carrying UPW members, which will not only protect them from public accountability but will streamline the legislative process. Rodrigues will also promise that a larger share of UPW funds be placed in First Hawaiian and Bank of Hawaii, thereby increasing their ability to help small businesses.

Eusebio Lapenia of the ILWU will form a task force to work closely with the Board of Education to ensure that our schools place the proper emphasis on teaching children the necessity of a capitalistic society and a "Democratic" form of government.

Governor Cayetano will start paying our public workers a full week ahead of their actual performance of work, instead of just a day ahead as at present. This will pump an estimated $50 million into our local economy, while at the same time giving public workers more unofficial days off, with pay, to spend with their children to teach them the core values of honesty and citizenship.

Lucky we live Hawaii! Or is it Fantasyland!

Bob Parker

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Leaf blowers should be
banned as a nuisance

I live on the 15th floor of a residential building. At this writing, I have the doors and windows closed, fan on, ear plugs in and still the noise from a leaf blower 15 floors below cannot be shut out.

This happens every few days. It seems as though life in Hawaii has deteriorated because of so much compounded noise and leaf blowers. We don't seem to be able to enjoy peace and quiet anymore.

It is almost impossible to concentrate or study during the roar of a blower. I heard one older person comment, "I'd like to shoot him (the operator)!" It stirs up aggressive thoughts and behavior. It also stirs up a lot of dust and germs that blow into our homes and apartments.

These blowers should be banned completely! L.A. has taken sensible measures to do so and we should too, especially because of our tropical heat and our need for open ventilation.

Suzanne Teller

Don't be lazy: Use a rake
or a broom on those leaves

I'm so glad that Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani has proposed a ban on leaf blowers. It's high time that Oahu does what other localities have done.

We don't seem to feel that peace and silence are worth anything. This has gone on long enough. About 30 percent of the time I can hear yard maintenance from my home. When I try to enjoy a public park, I'm often overrun by men using machines, the most unnecessary of which are leaf blowers.

Let's outlaw leaf blowers. Get a rake or a broom. If you're too important, fat or lazy to use them, may I recommend you move, perhaps to another planet? This isn't really the place for you.

Amy Arkoff

Future is riding on kids
who need strong academics

As a Hawaii resident currently working in Japan, I was disappointed to read of the Hawaii Board of Education's vote to repeal the 2.0 grade point average rule involving extra-curricular activities. This action smacks of putting athletics and other "nice to have" programs ahead of academics in the scholastic environment. I question the board's values.

Our state is currently in an economic crisis. Our future success is directly tied to the success and smarts of our kids. If our kids represent about a third of our population, you could say that 100 percent of our future is tied to 33 percent of our people.

We must ensure that they have the skills to succeed and adapt in a rapidly changing world. A strong education is no longer an option but a necessity. Shame on the BOE for its actions.

Lyle Ishida
Camp Zama, Japan
(Via the Internet)

Diplomas aren't worth
paper they're printed on

It is typical of our Board of Education to ignore the input of parents and community while imposing what they think is best for our students. Allowing a 0.8 GPA for graduation is an insult to those students who actually work at learning, and to the public at large.

As a teacher, I am appalled that our school system will take another step away from academic excellence. Grade inflation is a reality, and it is already far too easy to graduate from our school system without learning any useful skills.

I agree that student athletes who are striving to meet the requirements should be allowed to participate in at least some practice sessions, and that similar relief might well be offered to those who want to participate in clubs and student government functions.

The state is desperately in need of support from the business community to restore economic confidence and leadership. As a business owner, I could not recommend hiring an individual for any job based only on one of our high school diplomas. They are generally not worth the paper they are printed on.

Steve Stephenson
Volcano, Hawaii
(Via the Internet)

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