Hawaii is involved in climate change research
You should be commended for your July 24 article, which informs the public about global warming. Scientists and engineers across the world are conducting research to identify ways to decrease the amount of man-made carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, a major contributor to global warming climate change.The University of Hawaii is already a major player in climate change research. Hawaii-based PICHTR is participating in an international research project to assess environmental impacts and evaluate the effectiveness of deep ocean storage of CO2. This approach, mentioned in your article, is one possible means to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere.
Because of Hawaii's expertise in ocean sciences and technology, and its proximity to the deep ocean, we hope to conduct this experiment off Keahole Point on the Big Island. Although the experiment is a couple of years away, we have begun working with people in the community to inform them of this project and to gather input.
For more information, your readers can visit our website at http://www.co2experiment.org.
Fujio Matsuda
Chairman, Pacific International Center for High Technology Research
Stephen Masutani
Project Manager, UH Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
Don't own too many different stocks
Your July 26 Money Monday article, "Ten great stock tips," was useful but its ideas were misguided, particularly the suggestion to own "20 to 40 investments." It is a challenge for a thoughtful investor to monitor 20 stocks, let alone 40.The article even contradicts itself on this advice. It recommends eliminating so-called "stubs," where the stock position represents less than 1 percent of the portfolio. The difference between 1 percent and theoretically 2.5 percent with 40 positions is a distinction without a difference.
The key to successful investing, as with life, is to do a few things and to do them well. Thoughtful diversification is in the 12-investments range, not 20 to 40.
Randy Harris
Quotables
"I feel sad for him because this is a tough position for anyone. But people should be offended by the fact that he compared himself to Japanese Americans who were put in relocation camps."
Gov. Ben Cayetano
On the inappropriateness of state Sen. Marshall Ige's comparing his legal woes to the plight of 120,000 Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II"I love you no matter what. Search your heart."
John Gonsalves
Brother of murder defendant Frank Pauline Jr.
Said to Pauline after leaving the witness stand
Why should Hawaiians get special treatment?
I am insulted that Sen. Daniel Akaka has sponsored a bill that would provide $200 million for homes for Hawaiians. I was born and raised in Hawaii and -- except for military service -- have lived in Hawaii my entire life.Why should my neighbor, who has 1/32 of Hawaiian blood, get a home for free while I have worked my entire life to earn the money to buy a home?
I resent that my neighbor will get something just because of his heritage. Isn't this something that Americans fought a revolution for? Isn't this discrimination?
I voted for Akaka. He is my senator as much as anyone with Hawaiian blood, so why doesn't he support my needs, too?
Garry P. Smith
Ewa Beach
Inn owner should have aloha for homeless
Shame on the owner of Manoa Valley Inn for having so little aloha (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 5). It was upsetting to read that she complained to the press about a neighbor, Vancouver House, which is a transitional housing project.This worthy facility helps homeless people, many of them local families, to get back on their feet. Many of them will never in their whole lives get to stay in a fancy bed and breakfast.
If Manoa Valley Inn has such trouble renting out its cottage because of the noise at Vancouver House, maybe it should allow homeless families to stay there every once in a while.
Brad Shields
Police need to crack down on pimps, johns
The public needs to understand the sick, criminal world of the sex industry and how it exploits and ruins the lives of young girls. I pray the police will take enforcement seriously and make more arrests of pimps and "johns."Maybe then these young exploited girls will get the help they need. If you know anyone who needs assistance in getting out of prostitution, have her call the Sisters Offering Support crisis line at (808) 220-1501.
Betty Jean Anderson
Ewa
Cayetano continues to harass ex-trustees
Regarding the reindictment of Henry Peters and Jeff Stone: So, it starts all over again! Can't the public grasp the machinations of Cayetano's political game?
He appoints cooperative Earl Anzai as attorney general to repeat the whole nightmare indictment process with yet another grand jury. Cayetano has already achieved what he set out to do: control Bishop Estate and, in the process, ensure security for himself after his gubernatorial tenure.
What does he want now? Does Cayetano plan on spending even more taxpayer money to continue this malicious prosecution and obvious political vendetta?
Briana Poilon
Bishop Estate archive
Naysayers don't help public education
Letters to the editor written by parents critical of the state Department of Education are ever-increasing. Facts and figures taken from auditors' reports and other public sources often are distorted to fit their argument.These complaints serve no purpose except to tarnish the image of public education and demoralize educators trying to fulfill the goals and aspirations that parents have for their children's future.
Recent parent surveys show that the majority is satisfied with public education. Our records indicate thousands of hours of volunteerism as well as thousands of dollars in monetary support.
The silent majority should speak up. Don't let a few crabs be your voice! Let's keep the hope and dreams alive for our children.
Gervacio Buenconsejo
Principal, Mililani Waena Elementary school
U.S. Coast Guard needs updated fleet
Aug. 4 marked the 209th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard, the smallest branch of the military. Such a festive occasion should have been commemorated with a gigantic birthday party.However, the Coast Guard is facing a readiness crisis. Its aging fleet of cutters and aircraft is fast becoming technologically obsolete.
It has become increasingly difficult for the Coast Guard to live up to its motto of "Semper paratus" or "Always ready."
Some of its readiness woes include drug runners operating faster boats than the Coast Guard, and its lacking the proper sensors for important night operations, such as search-and-rescue missions and drug interdictions.
The best present this nation could give the Coast Guard is continued support for its Deepwater Mission Project, a plan to modernize its fleet. It would provide the right tools to improve the Coast Guard's operational efficiency.
Jim Dolbow
Consumers win big in auto insurance war
Your Aug. 3 article, "Insurance rate cuts for auto demanded," missed the real story about auto insurance rates in Hawaii. If you review official public records, you'll find that most of the major auto insurers have filed three rate reductions in the last two years, only one of which was mandated by law.The results of the reforms implemented in 1998 are still incomplete but early returns are encouraging. As long as auto insurance remains profitable, the heated competition among insurers for market share will continue to result in consumer price breaks.
The real story is that, in at least one industry in Hawaii, competition is working. Smart consumers will shop around to get the best prices and take advantage of the market, which causes even more competitive pressure on insurance companies seeking to build market share.
In a state noted for a heavy regulatory burden and an ongoing economic crisis, the win/win proposition that exists in our insurance market should be a cause for celebration. It calls for more free markets rather than suggesting the possibility that more regulatory oversight might be needed.
Tim Dayton
General Manager GEICO Direct
Via the Internet
Here comes noise from pile drivers -- again
It is pretty clear that the projected "footbridge" over the Ala Wai Canal, at Ala Wai and Kalakaua, is designed to bear automobile traffic. Already, recent changes in the sidewalks in the 1800-1900 blocks of Kalakaua portend the widening of the street. This would accommodate a lane of auto traffic coming off the new footbridge heading into Waikiki.Again, the 20,000 residents within earshot of the intersection will be subjected to a couple of months of pile driving. The noise is supposed to be kept within legal limits, but I don't believe a word of it anymore.
If the movers and shakers would just be straight with us, we could plan our lives according to the reality. As it is now, we have to deal with a situation that is simply maddening.
You can see my paranoia rising, and I don't like the people who put me in this frame of mind. I expect duplicity as the norm, and also a neighborhood protest.
Beverly Kai
Via the Internet
Ige should face charges with dignity
It was with great disappointment that I read the comments of Sen. Marshall Ige, "I now know how many of the AJAs felt during the war...prejudged by a group with power, resulting with no due process" (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 2).It was inappropriate for Ige to compare his troubles with the grave injustices borne by Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II. He has all of his rights intact as he faces campaign finance abuse charges. He has the right to speak in a free and open forum, the right to an attorney and due process in our court system, and the right to run for elected office.
In contrast, my parents' generation was stripped of its rights and property without legal cause when AJA families were taken from their homes and interned. I watched as nisei fought for our civil rights, proved their mettle in war and at home, and gained the grudging respect of those who had vilified them.
Instead of drawing self-pitying associations between his predicament and the trials of the AJAs during World War II, Ige should follow the example of our forebears and face this challenge with grace.
Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R)
17th Dist.
Via the Internet
Kapolei will have great library in future
I can appreciate where the state librarian is coming from (Star-Bulletin, July 22, "State librarian wary of proposed Kapolei branch"). If I had lost 20 percent of my staff and was ranked 45th in the nation in terms of library funding, I'd be careful about not biting off more than I could chew.However, for the past three sessions, the Legislature has been extremely supportive of funding projects in Kapolei. It passed two large appropriations for the Kapolei Middle School and Kapolei High School. Now it is time to go for the library.
At this point, we are talking about money for construction. Staffing and other expenses for operating the library would be in subsequent budget years. The economy has forced us all to scale down larger projects into smaller pieces, which will likely happen with the Kapolei Library.
I am still confident that we will have the best library in the state in a few years.
Rep. Mark Moses (R)
42nd District
Via the Internet
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
Ka Leo O Hawaii
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