Why no outrage over UPW shenanigans?

Governor Cayetano's zealous pursuit of the Bishop Estate trustees appears hypocritical. Cayetano has made himself cheerleader for the attorney general's investigation and prosecution in this case. Yet, at the same time, he has not commented on the behavior of Gary Rodrigues, head of the United Public Workers.

Rodrigues apparently used union money to pay off his mistress, constructed log buildings in Hawaii for the UPW (he is the sole owner of the only log building business in the state), and fired political opponents without permitting them the same defense that UPW provides other members.

These are outrageous actions. Yet Cayetano has remained silent and kept his attorney general on a short leash.

The governor is very brave when it comes to going after those who can't help him in his re-election; he shows his true colors when it comes to political cronies.

Don Arakaki
Ewa Beach

Mayor Apana mustn't raise Maui's taxes

Mayor Apana has taken a giant step backward with his proposal to increase property taxes and user fees on Maui.

Rather than demonstrating sound fiscal management, he is taking the low road to make revenues match expenses.

Apana's excuses for raising taxes ring hollow for those who remember him as Maui County's Budget and Finance Committee chairman last year. In that role, he failed to heed former Mayor Lingle's advice to cut $6.5 million from the budget.

Instead, Apana and the Council proceeded to eat into the county's cash reserves. They gambled that they could make ends meet the following year. Well, they gambled and lost.

Now, rather than reduce government spending, Apana is asking Council members to increase taxes so they might share in the glory of his fiscal irresponsibility. The Council and taxpayers should respond, "Simply spend less!"

Lee Dodson
Kihei, Maui

Waimanalo boat ramp built by volunteers

On behalf of the residents of Waimanalo, we would like to express our appreciation to a group of young men led by Dave Larsen, Darwin Nuuhiwa and Hayward Kalima. They gave their time and effort to build a boat ramp at Kaiona Beach Park.

Mahalo to you all, including Ameron International President George West, whose company donated the materials.

Priscilla K. Ho
Vice Chairwoman
Waimanalo Neighborhood
Board No. 32

Quotables "Americans do not hate Serbs. Like Serbs, we have no wish to see our children die in battle far from home." Madeleine Albright Secretary of state On NATO's struggle against Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic “I didn’t join the service to take a vaccine that has not been tested properly.” Roman Lezo Kaneohe Marine Court-martialed as one of 20 soldiers at the base who have refused to take an inoculation against anthrax

Navy doesn't need OK of preservation office

Your March 18 editorial "Niihau project dies" did not accurately reflect matters relating to the Navy's proposal to launch test missiles from Niihau. Contrary to the editorial, the Navy decides if and when this project proceeds.

It does not need approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires the federal government to consult with the state on development that involves traditional cultural resources. By law, the state must review and provide comments for the project.

Ethnographic studies are required when development involves traditional cultural properties that have not been clearly identified. In the case of Niihau, the state is not "requiring completion of an ethnographic study of the entire island." Late last year -- upon closer evaluation of the project and related activities -- the state agreed to ethnographic studies appropriately limited in scope.

Timothy Johns
Chairman
Department of Land
& Natural Resources

Child-care providers strictly regulated

Do any child-care providers who operate out of condos or townhouses know that the state regulates the cubic square footage of air that a child must have -- at least in our 50-year-old child-care establishment?

That we are mandated to hire a state-certified, $40-an-hour nutritionist to approve the menus and measure the ounces fed to our children? That we must show documentation of inoculations and communicable illnesses for each child yearly, and that a state-approved fire alarm system must be installed and inspected?

That our refrigerators are checked for the proper temperature? Overhead lighting must have protective grates? Expensive matting must insulate our playground equipment?

There are hundreds of such necessary but sometimes seemingly arbitrary rules that exist on the books. If these stringent regulations that have such a choke-hold on well-established institutions are state mandated, why don't the same rules apply to condo and townhouse day-care providers?

Maureen B. Ko

Gun manufacturers are being sued wrongly

I can't understand why anyone would want to sue gun makers because their product works. I can understand suing because the gun didn't work and someone got hurt. But to sue because the gun worked as advertised is beyond me.

Vernon Okamura

Hickam has done much to help the community

IHS, Oahu's only emergency homeless shelter, congratulates Hickam Air Force Base for its well-deserved recognition as "the best Air Force installation in the world."

While the award criteria seemed to relate to the physical base itself, Col. Ann Testa has extended her "excellence" into the community as well. IHS has been a grateful recipient of Hickam's esprit de corps.

Christmas dinner parties, Santa Claus arriving on a fire truck laden with hundreds of presents, installation of ceiling insulation in the men's shelter, vehicle repair, purchase of shelter maintenance tools and kitchen equipment, donated bunk beds and wardrobes for the family shelter -- these are among the many examples of Hickam's assistance to IHS.

Lynn Maunakea
Executive Director
Institute for Human Services

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