Fireworks poll results

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Waihee's economic advice isn't worth much

Monday's "Newswatch" column mentions that "former Hawaii Gov. John Waihee will head a new commission to boost the economy of American Samoa, which is facing a $30-million-plus deficit." Keep in mind that it was Waihee who took us from a half-billion-dollar surplus to a half-billion-dollar deficit in eight years. Can someone explain to me how an ex-governor with such sorry financial credentials merits such an appointment?

Robert Engle
(Via the Internet)

Consumers have alternative to greed -- internet shopping

After a minor traffic mishap, I had to replace the marker light and turn signal lenses on the left front of my daughter's car. The local dealer quoted a list price of $106.76 for the marker and $354.78 for the turn signal, plus tax.

I ordered them over the internet from the mainland, new parts for $55 each, plus express shipping. I really would like to use local businesses, but it's difficult in the face of such blatant greed.

Fred Gerkens
(Via the Internet)

Reubyne's mother must pay for her actions

Reubyne Buentipo Jr. lies in a coma and will probably never wake again. His condition is the result of child abuse by his mother, Kimberly Pada.

As a stern warning to any child abusers or would-be child abusers, Pada should be put into prison and never released. Regardless of whatever excuse she may give to get herself off the hook, the woman should have one thing in common with her son: She should never be allowed to live a normal life from this point on.

If anyone reading this knows of a "Reubyne Buentipo," do something, anything, right now.

Braddoc De Caires

Kaimana Beach users don't want it destroyed

While your Feb. 2 editorial characterized thousands of users of Kaimana Beach as "carping," they were merely expressing their opinions. Many, this writer included, deeply respect the Natatorium as a memorial to those who served in World War I. Its restoration is not the issue.

But restoration that destroys a good part of Kaimana Beach is important to us, and for that reason we speak out. Building 75-foot groins angling out to sea will not only destroy countless creatures and live coral, but ruin a view of the sea and city praised since the time of Robert Louis Stevenson's stay at the beach.

A vast seascape would be replaced by a view of a close-up breakwater. Such groins were not part of the original Natatorium.

Victor Cole

QUOTABLE "When you attract attention to yourself, you become a nail, and it's viewed that trustees walked around with a hammer." -- Kamehameha Schools President Michael Chun on his relations with Bishop Estate trustees. "In a few years time, this market (China) will be bigger than Japan. We're limited only by Washington." -- Hawaii Chinese Tourism Association President Richard Lim. "You have the bold, the beautiful, the ugly all in there, and it's the ugly and the not-so-bold-and-beautiful that get the rewards." -- State Sen. Sam Slom on salary raises for some state officials. "Cal symbolizes hard work and a solid work ethic, and Prinivil provides hard work ethic against a disease." -- John Bloomfield, spokesman for Merck & Co., on hiring baseball star Cal Ripkin to promote its Prinivil hypertension drug.

Everyone must rally to save the Natatorium

The Waikiki War Memorial is a battleground for all residents, especially for its full restoration. It has suffered enough neglect, procrastination and unwillingness in Hawaii's expression of aloha for the ultimate sacrifices of the 101 islanders who met, with honor, the "challenge of the war to end all wars." They didn't say no.

Let's not buy anything less than full restoration. The opportunity to redeem the aloha that was intended is staring us in the mirror.

Once the Natatorium is restored, it will attract everyone to its very special living memorial for personal fitness and for world-class swim meets.

The state must come forth by reassessing its chance at redemption. Sitting back, at this time, is a no-no.

Roger Y.M. Lee

Tinky Winky has plenty of 'questionable' company

I don't understand all the uproar regarding the gay Teletubbie. Whether or not the producers intended to give that impression, it wouldn't be the first time a TV character had a questionable overtone.

"Peanuts" showed the character Marcy following Peppermint Patty around calling her "Sir." Smurfette, from the cartoon "The Smurfs," was the only female in the village and all she did was cook and clean for the Male Smurfs.

If you look hard enough you can find something wrong with just about everything we see on television. Compared to Beavis and Butthead, a Teletubbie with a purse is a breath of fresh air.

Kristin Paulo
(Via the Internet)

Tolerance must be taught to 'yes'-voting public

Among the Governor Cayetano's goals for this legislative session has been the desire to pass a comprehensive domestic partnership package. In light of Hawaii's historic vote to give the Legislature the power to determine who may marry here, the governor's proposal is a bold, energetic move.

It will be interesting to see how much support is generated for Cayetano, given the political climate surrounding the marriage restriction and domestic partnership bills. It seems that many legislators have suffered frost bite after the vigorous campaign to protect the Constitution.

As 200,000 voters did vote "yes" (bearing in mind that seven of the voter machines used in the general election have been found to be defective), and while the majority of these voters are probably from within certain districts, the majority vote has left a definite chill in the air.

Perhaps the governor and other leaders can come up with a plan advocating tolerance in paradise. We need other legislative bills and Board of Education action to educate the public about acceptance and respect -- whether about sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or gender. Otherwise this state may go down in history as being the least progressive in the world.

Shawn K. Bombard

Pearl Harbor is helping public school students

Finally, some good news! The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) is the largest industrial employer in Hawaii. Its importance to the economy cannot be overlooked, with thousands of jobs provided to local and military people and millions pumped into local businesses.

Because of this, it is essential that state and Navy partnerships continue to grow. The latest to directly help our children is the recent donations of almost 500 computers from the PHNSY & IMF to 12 public schools. From Haleiwa Elementary to Kainalu Elementary, and back out to Waialua High and Intermediate, this partnership with the Department of Education will provide the equipment to help Hawaii's children prepare for the future.

Kaipo Crowell
Kailua
(Via the Internet)

Media showed no class in covering president

As I watched the first televised press conference at the White House after the president's acquittal, I was shocked at the questions asked by so-called professional journalists.

One journalist made offensive jokes about the president rather than comply with the purpose of the conference. He thought he was being cute, but I found it disrespectful, in poor taste and abusive.

People criticize the president for abuse of power, but it's really the press that has a monopoly on the subject.

Al Silva

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