Don't reward agency for late payments

In the event of a special legislative session, lawmakers should make clear their intentions about how to handle any interest earned by the Child Support Enforcement Agency for money it receives from parents and holds before it is distributed to children.

I suggest that it is not in the best interests of the children for the agency to receive interest on its money, while not being required to pay interest on delayed payments to these same children.

The credibility of the agency would be enhanced if its delays were not rewarded.

Wilfred Morales
Via the Internet

Barbers Point will not be forgotten

When I was forwarded one of your Star-Bulletin web pages by a former Barbers Point shipmate (1967-70), it was with mixed emotions that I read about the final days of Barbers Point Naval Air Station. I had known since my visit to Oahu last year that it would be closing, but this article made it so final.

I spent memorable times at the air station so I feel like I have lost a close friend. Even though I visited Barbers Point only twice in the last 30 years, it will always have a special place in my memory.

Kenneth L. Kriner
Newark, Calif.
Via the Internet

Quit complaining and treat tourists right

We recently spent 10 days in Hawaii -- it's paradise! We stayed on Oahu, Kauai and Maui, and made a day trip to the Big Island. We had a great time but ran into lots of local folks who were constantly bemoaning the fact that tourism is down.

This is strange to hear because flights from the mainland are booked almost solid until November! Also, accommodations are very hard to come by.

Maybe if Hawaii residents would "hang loose" and not make the visitors already in Hawaii feel bad, tourism will get better. We enjoyed our trip and hope to come back, but a better attitude on the part of Hawaii residents would be, "Welcome and aloha, and have fun while you are here!"

Terri Powell
Scotsboro, Ala.
Via the Internet

Tam's concern over Pali traffic is ironic

How interesting that state Sen. Rod Tam has jumped on the political bandwagon and says that he is the major mover in the installation of a pedestrian-activated light along Pali Highway, near the site of a recent fatality. An elderly woman was hit in a crosswalk while attempting to cross the highway near the Unitarian Church.

Just a few months ago, Tam was doing his best to support the installation of a wedding mill at the Walker Estate along Pali Highway. Since it's just a half block from the traffic fatality, Tam must have known that such a business endeavor would generate even more congestion along a very dangerous strip of highway.

Also, let us not forget that Senator Tam did not listen to his constituents' wishes when he voted against the reconfirmation of Attorney General Margery Bronster.

Voters need to be reminded that he is part of the Senate that needs to be removed at election time.

Christopher Yee

Quotables "For an arrow to go straight, there has to be stress in the bowstring." Lee Donahue HONOLULU POLICE CHIEF On how some stress is necessary to work effectively "Everybody was so focused; I had never seen them like that. I started trying to lighten them up by saying, 'Damn, you guys are making me scared just looking at you.' " Guy Benjamin HAWAII HAMMERHEADS COACH On the intensity of the Indoor Professional Football players before they upset the league's first-place team, the Texas Terminators

Hawaii has high-tech, low-cost workers

If the governor and Legislature really want to bring high-tech business to Hawaii, they should pay attention to your Brain Drain series. This state has something very attractive to offer high-tech companies: bright, technically talented people who are willing to work for less to be able to live in Hawaii.

A source of technical talent is a must for all high-tech companies, and the competition for such talent is fierce. Provide it and the companies will follow.

Nobu Nakamoto
Via the Internet

UH students suffer under poor leadership

The School of Public Health fiasco is only the beginning of the free fall at the University of Hawaii. The refusal to communicate with faculty and to outline any substantial agenda for the future, the secrecy of planning by the administration, the flight of faculty from a sinking ship, and the continual deterioration of the campus all point to a crisis of leadership.

Economic hard times do not justify the behavior of UH President Kenneth Mortimer and especially Governor Cayetano. It is no secret at UH that the governor hates the Manoa campus, and the faculty in particular. With each act of hostility and neglect, Cayetano shows why the faculty union refused to support him.

Cayetano's vengeance against real and imagined slights is far more important to him than the future of Hawaii's students and the imperiled health and reputation of our highest educational institution.

Kathleen Sato
Via the Internet

http://www.kaleo.org

Firing Lindenberg may have been political

AARP Executive Director Horace Deets, in his remarks regarding Ruth Ellen Lindenberg's personal position regarding assisted suicide, has insulted the intelligence of the group's 129,000 members in Hawaii and possibly AARP's entire membership.

I, as a Christian, do not believe in assisted death, but that's my opinion. What Deets has done -- by removing Lindenberg from Hawaii's lobbying committee for writing the March 12 column -- is to raise speculation that AARP wants to prolong the lives of seniors, so pharmaceutical companies can maintain their grip on medical coverage for the elderly.

Sound far-fetched? Senior citizens rely on so much medication these days that it is taxing to the Medicare system. But to a large pharmaceutical company, they are a never-ending source of revenues for it and its stockholders.

Craig Watanabe
Via the Internet

Mayor, Council are doing a good job

I give Mayor Harris a lot of credit. He can work with all kinds of people. Look at the City Council, such a diverse group.

I am glad that the new Council chairman and some of the other members stepped up to the plate to work together in passing a sound, fair budget.

Sachi Tokushige

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes

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