Governor should look into Hale O'Lono Harbor
The return of Hale O'Lono Harbor, in "good condition," was the only compensation the people of Hawaii were promised for allowing Honolulu Construction & Draying Co. and Molokai Ranch to construct the harbor and have exclusive rights to export Molokai "aina" (sand and aggregates) to Oahu for private gain.After 40 years, we now find that the public has been shortchanged because Hale O'Lono Harbor, as recently returned to the state, is far from in "good condition."
Instead of investigating this obvious discrepancy in meeting the provisions of the license, DLNR is supporting legislative initiatives that will authorize the lease of reprivatizing the Hale O'Lono back to Molokai Ranch.
Governor Cayetano should investigate and pursue this injustice instead of allowing the issue to be swept under the rug.
William E. Mossman
William J. Aila Jr.
Hawaii Boaters Political
Action Association
Kailua
Two-faced politicos should admit if city is broke or not
Mayor Harris, Managing Director Bob Fishman, Councilmen John Henry Felix, Duke Bainum and others in the city government are having difficulty paying the garbage collectors.They have balked at paying earned overtime to our police officers. Now they have ordered the removal of broken equipment in the playgrounds and parks, explaining that there are no funds to pay for repairs.
Yet these city officials have proudly proclaimed the necessity for allocation of $11.5 million to rebuild the so-called largest salt-water swimming pool fiasco in the world, the Natatorium.
A. John Titchen
Return Marcos windfall to people of Philippines
As one who was a severe critic of the U.S.-Marcos dictatorship and its multitude of human-rights issues, I am delighted that the monies stolen by the former dictator are going to be "returned to Manila" (Star-Bulletin, April 21). These millions must go to the Filipino people to alleviate the horrid economic conditions many, if not most, find themselves in today.Further, the monies must not be used by the Ramos government to unduly enhance any glorification schemes that the former Marcos general may have in mind as the country's election approaches. Nothing less can be demanded by those who were victims of the U.S.-Marcos dictatorship, and those who may still be languishing in Philippine jails and elsewhere.
J.J. Kaufmann
Bishop Estate trustees should purchase Niihau
The beleaguered trustees of Bishop Estate at last have an opportunity to refurbish their tarnished image, spend some of the estate's wealth wisely and enhance the welfare of youth: Why not buy the island of Niihau from the Robinsons, and build and operate summer schools and camps for Hawaii's children?Paul J. Scheuer
Professor Emeritus
Department of Chemistry
University of Hawaii-Manoa
ILWU's Tommy Trask was well-respected leader
In 1991, the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation held a testimonial dinner in honor of union leader Tommy Trask. The event was the brainchild of Stuart Ho and Fred Trotter, who recognized the depth and integrity of the man who consistently represented the best for all in Hawaii.Befittingly, the event was called "Visions of a Man -- Tommy Trask." It was probably the easiest-to-sell charity event in Hawaii's history.
Enthusiastically attended by 1,000 people from all walks of life, it was a testimony to his life's efforts. As a result, the REHAB Foundation established the Tommy Trask Endowment in his honor.
We will miss Tommy. He has done a lot for all of us. Our deepest sympathy to Jo Anne and his family.
Michael W. PerrY, William
O'Connor, And Ko Miyataki
REHAB Foundation Board
TT/HT are effective healing alternatives
It is curious that a medical journal and the media would give so much credence to an obviously flawed experiment that attempts to discredit therapeutic touch (TT).The biggest problem with the grade school science project is investigator bias, since the 11-year-old girl placed her own hand over the TT practitioners' hands to test whether they could sense her energy. A valid research design would have had the TT practitioner administer a treatment, the recipient interviewed, and the experimenter as an impartial observer.
Therapeutic touch, and a variant practiced in Hawaii called healing touch (HT), involves the movement or placement of the healer's hands on or over the patient's body to bring about harmony and balance. It is a boon to people experiencing pain, traumatic medical procedures or death.
The evidence on the effectiveness of TT/HT in alleviating discomfort and fear, and in promoting well-being, is overwhelmingly positive and mounting.
Medical personnel have reported that even those patients who were unaware that TT/HT was performed on them apparently benefited.
Juanita C. Liu
Editor's Note: This letter was signed by seven other individuals.
Is there too much crime or just too many laws?
The sane citizen asks, "What is the future for a society that keeps crying for more laws, more cops and more prisons?"The deranged citizen answers, "We're crying because crime is rising."
"Of course, crime is rising!" the sane citizen responds. "You're propagating it with all your crazy new laws!"
With a glint in his eye, the deranged citizen replies, "We're working on a law that makes it illegal for people like you to say such things."
Chester Green
Volcano, Hawaii
Council should appreciate having Sid on city payroll
Our wayward City Council is at it again. Council members have sunk to a new low by attacking Sid Fernandez.He was hired because of his exemplary professional sports career to lend credibility and star power to the city's efforts at sports promotion and to the development of the local sports infrastructure.
True, he is not hip to the cynical game that ambitious, lifelong politicians and bureaucratic lingerers play so wall. But the public can see through this effort to gain political advantage at Sid's expense.
It seems manini to complain about Sid's pay. Could it be a personal thing, because Council members make so much less?
Last year Sid made, what, $10 million? He was offered a city job. He accepted. Let him do it.
Michael G. Palcic
Attrition might be answer to improving Legislature
Why don't we apply the state Senate's approach to cutting government on the Senate itself? Whenever anyone leaves the Senate, for whatever reason, we eliminate that position. The district can be left unrepresented until consolidated with another in the next redistricting.Eventually, we would have no more useless, tax-guzzling senators and would have a much more streamlined, efficient and accountable unicameral Legislature, without the annual last-minute shenanigans during conference committee negotiations.
Joel Bradshaw
Tax time reminds residents of need for quality leaders
You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when, after shelling out a large of money for something, you realize that it's a lemon or that you were ripped off? State income tax.Let's vote for quality this November.
Robert Chanin
Kailua
House has got it right about tax cut, GET hike
At the end of the day, which is almost here with the legislative session coming to an end, what we will be looking for is a real break in our taxes.This is why I support the House position. I want the biggest tax cut. The House plan offers a 35 percent cut. If we are truly going to have such a huge cut in our personal income tax, I can also support a small rise in the general excise tax.
Edwina H. Luke
Natatorium is ugly and must be removed
I am a visitor from Canada who spends some time almost every year on your beautiful island. I come here for the lovely beaches and the pleasant ocean. I swim along Waikiki every day and it feels like heaven -- until I come to that ugly concrete structure called the Natatorium.It does not belong there. Tear it down and restore the fine beach to its original beauty.
I understand that some vocal veterans and commercial interests are pushing for its resurrection. Mind you, I have never seen anyone there yet, head bowed, paying respect to dead people. But I see plenty of people everyday, beachmats in hand, looking for a place of R& R.
Somehow, your priorities seem wrong. Perhaps you could remove the Natatorium, erect another ugly steel and concrete monstrosity in Waikiki, and restore one of the world's greatest beaches for the enjoyment of visitors and your own people.
Alec Hydar
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Write a Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.
Letter to the Editor
