State could raise funds by taxing illegal aerials

I thought aerial fireworks were illegal? As I write this, streams of aerial displays are lighting up Honolulu, shooting high into the air.

Let's face it. No matter what you think, the ban on aerial stuff is a farce. If we're not going to enforce the law, why not make it work for us?

Tax the aerial fireworks. I'm guessing that a $1 tax on each airborne display will fill state coffers to overflowing. If anything is going to go up with the smoke, it might as well be government revenues.

Michael Shishido
(Via the Internet)

Islands need to celebrate without fireworks

Judging from the numerous letters to the editor published on Jan. 2 decrying the use and abuse of New Year's fireworks, it would appear that our decision to cancel our annual three-week stay on Oahu was warranted. We endured "World War III" in December 1997 and vowed never again.

Having to miss visiting our (otherwise) favorite part of the world saddens me and leads me to ask: Can you not think of another way to celebrate in the new year?

Mike Fenton
Singapore
(Via the Internet)

10 who made a difference are worth celebrating

Congratulations to the Star-Bulletin for the Jan. 1 article, "10 who made a difference in Hawaii in 1998." As you said so well, "They were the ones who braved the storm, who did what was right no matter the cost. Some worked in broad, bold strokes, others with quiet consistency, yet all stood tall, and gave their all."

Let us all remember the following people again. More pride and recognition is needed from the residents of Hawaii, as these 10 are the ones who will make the real change: Margery Bronster, Brook Lee, Craig Thomas, Roy Yee, Michael Shiroma, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, Lenny and Marcia Klompus, Ryuzo Yanagimachi, Wendall Omura and Jill Nunokawa.

Von Dent
Aiea
(Via the Internet)

First lady's allegation was unfounded

In her Dec. 14 column on Vicky Cayetano, Diane Chang referred to a "smear campaign" by our organization during the '98 election. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our coalition never implied that the governor's purchase of the Waialae Iki Ridge property was some sort of sweetheart deal.

The message of the ad clearly stated that it was in response to a brochure the Democratic Party sent out stating who is benefiting from the economy. Our ad specifically stated that the governor was one person who was truly benefiting. Due to the decline of property values, as a result of the current economy, the purchase price of the property was 50 percent less than when the parcel was first listed.

Anne Jackson
Chairwoman, Hawaii Coalition of Small Business Owners
(Via the Internet)

HPR should run annual Hawaiian music special

I've lived in this state for almost 20 years and, early on, fell in love with Hawaiian music. For most of those years, I've collected and played Hawaiian music almost exclusively.

For many years, my whole family has enjoyed the Hawaiian music and hula performed by Keith and Carmen Haugen at the Royal Hawaiian. We've also enjoyed Keith's Sunday morning Hawaiian music show on Hawaii Public Radio.

We spent this past Christmas quietly at home. The highlight of our day was listening to the two-hour Hawaiian Christmas special produced by Keith Haugen and broadcast on HPR. It was the most peaceful, educational and thoroughly enjoyable program I've ever heard.

It featured Hawaiian entertainers, both legendary and contemporary, and emphasized the special nature of Christmas here in Hawaii, especially through the beautiful songs and carols in the Hawaiian language.

Thank you, HPR, for such a wonderful experience. For all of you who heard and enjoyed the program as my family did, and for those of you who might have missed it, please join us in urging HPR to seriously consider making this program an annual event.

Larry Eshleman
Aiea
(Via the Internet)

Meaning of Christmas escaped letter writer

In response to Mitch Kahle's Dec. 30 letter regarding the true meaning of Christmas: While he correctly mentions that the exact date of the birth of Jesus is unknown, Christians certainly do not believe it is a "myth."

In addition, Kahle has his facts completely wrong as to when Christmas began being celebrated in Europe. The date of Dec. 25 was set by the church by the 5th century A.D., not "less than 200 years ago," as he claims.

Kahle also asserts that there is no "true meaning" of Christmas. It looks like the rampant commercialization of Christmas has claimed another casualty. Here's the simple truth: The meaning of Christmas is that God fulfilled his promise to send us a savior, because of His great love for us.

David Stranahan
San Bruno, Calif.
(Via the Internet)

Bob Dylan performance was a highlight of 1998

I know that it must have been an honest mistake that John Berger, in his Dec. 31 story reviewing the year in music, did not mention Bob Dylan's two local shows last September.

While not the largest shows in ticket sales, thousands of people in Hawaii were more than happy to see Royal Bob here.

To all practicing Dylan followers, "Cold Irons Bound" moved the Earth in Honolulu. Did you feel it?

T. Price

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