Special: Readers respond to closing

UHPA representative's remark was insulting

The comment by University of Hawaii Professional Assembly executive director J.N. Musto that Governor Cayetano "hates haoles" was unprofessional and incorrect.

When I look at the people Cayetano has chosen to head various state departments and appointed to boards and commissions, I see a cross section of our community.

The governor has demonstrated, by his actions, a commitment to ethnic diversity at all levels of government. As a longtime Democrat and Cayetano supporter, I take personal offense to Musto's racial remarks.

Barbara Robeson
Wainiha, Kauai

Governor is committed to inclusiveness

I was shocked by the comments of UHPA's director about Governor Cayetano. As a graduate of UH, I was taught that Hawaii was a special place -- one that honored diversity, and that taught and practiced tolerance, multi-culturalism, racial and gender equity.

The governor, in my experience as a Cabinet member, has been consistently committed to inclusiveness. His appointments reflect the age, gender and ethnic distribution of the state.

Cayetano's policies and politics support all the people of Hawaii, particularly the less privileged.

Susan M. Chandler
Director
State Department of Human Services

Ben Cayetano is not a racist

In your Oct. 5 issue, J.N. Musto of the UHPA was quoted as saying that Governor Cayetano "hates haoles." As a haole who has worked for and who has come to know and respect Governor Cayetano over the past several years, I can tell you that he judges people by their character and qualities as individuals, not by their ethnic background.

Also, as an alumnus and former regent of the University of Hawaii, I am both offended and dismayed that Musto would stoop to using unfounded charges of racism to try and win an argument. It is a disservice to the university and to the people of this state.

Bradley J. Mossman
Deputy Director
State Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism

Quotables "Golf is like our buses. It is heavily subsidized by our taxpayers." Rene Mansho CITY COUNCIL BUDGET CHAIRWOMAN Considering only a minimal hike in rates at municipal golf courses "My feeling is that anybody in Honolulu who doesn't have to be here this weekend should go to the neighbor islands." Richard Port BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE YACHT HARBOR TOWERS Dreading the increased traffic in Waikiki with 35,000 members of the American Dental Association meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center

Chevron is foolish to punish its dealer

Well, Chevron has done it this time. It is suing its most profitable station owner over what it calls a breach of contract (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 30). Chevron says that dealer Frank Young has been abusing the hours of operation of his station. Forget that sales at his station are up 92 percent for a nine-month period.

Instead of rewarding the public and Young for his massive increase in sales, and seizing the opportunity to say, "Thank you, Hawaii and Frank," Chevron is ready to sue the owner?

Frank Young has won the hearts and minds of many locals, who see him as a voice protesting the high price of everything from gas to milk. The public has responded by patronizing and helping to increase sales at Chevron stations.

A contract is a contract and, if it's being violated, there can legal grounds. But Chevron's business-only stance will surely backfire in a state that has been hit with the high cost of living for too long.

Christopher Spears
Jacksonville, Fla.
Via the Internet

U.S. Postal Service is only way to go

Federal Express advertises that it provides "2nd Day Air" and we are charged for that service. Yet I have had Fed Ex packages arrive anywhere from 3-7 days after shipment. Also, Fed Ex is closed on weekends so if your party on the mainland or overseas ships by Fed Ex any later than Tuesday, you can expect to see the package six days later.

Most people don't realize that the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Service is better than Fed Ex. Not only is it cheaper, its couriers deliver on Saturdays and Sundays.

I have been telling vendors outside of Hawaii that I will not purchase their goods or services if they insist on using Fed Ex. I also have notified other professional shippers on the mainland that it would make better sense to just use the post office if they need to ship anything ahead for business in Hawaii.

Beth Terry
Via the Internet

Which areas deserve underground lines?

Alex Achimore's Sept. 24 letter -- relative to the Public Utilities Commission losing its credibility with the public in its lack of environmental concern in placing "huge, high-voltage lines above ground on Oahu" -- is really neat. He asserts that the PUC lost credibility as a result of its inability to adequately assess the total impacts of Heco's actions.

I love it. Certain segments of our society with their elitist attitudes want ME to pay for the undergrounding of electric lines in THEIR neighborhoods in order to keep up their property values. However, they refuse to pay for the undergrounding of "huge, high-voltage lines above ground" along Fort Weaver Road.

I'll be more than happy to have my bill increased if everybody else will have their bills increased to bury the lines along Fort Weaver and Kunia roads. If they decide they cannot do this, then I will still support the undergrounding of lines in their neighborhoods provided they establish a special design district so they can assess the members of their own districts rather than me.

Or, Mr. Achimore, am I wrong to conclude that the credibility of the PUC does not include the views of people of West Oahu?

Roger C. Evans
Ewa Beach
Via the Internet

Group should form to fight high prices

Please accept my sincere thanks for having the guts to do this sort of investigative reporting ("What Price Paradise?" Sept. 1-2).

I, personally, go out of my way to purchase from those who I believe are doing business fairly. I would join any continued effort to bring fair marketing practices to Hawaii, including joining a non-profit organization formed to help battle high prices.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii
Via the Internet

What Price Paradise?

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