Condolences from another victimized town

I am very sorry to hear about the shooting in Honolulu. I grew up on Oahu and graduated from Kalani High School before moving to the mainland in 1978. I now live in Littleton, Colo., several blocks from Columbine High School, so I am no stranger to the shock and horror that your city is now experiencing.

You have a long road ahead and many people will be affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I wonder when we will all be able to stop sending such sentiments to each other.

Ilona Smith
Littleton, Colo.
Via the Internet

Online coverage of crime was excellent

It is sad that the pressures of the so-called modern world have appeared at home. My sympathies are with the families who lost their loved ones and with the family of the alleged gunman, who must now bear the burden of a son and brother who is no longer the same person he used to be.

On the other side, thank you for the excellent coverage of the story with superb photographs, a map and a diagram. I hope you realize that there is no other newspaper on the Internet that provides such complete coverage of [Hawaii] news stories as you do.

I sincerely hope that the Star-Bulletin can somehow be spared being shut down. It is too good a paper to be lost.

Muncel Chang
Forest Ranch, Calif.
Via the Internet

Webmaster note: Starbulletin.com covers Hawaii news only.
There are many sources of national and international news
on the Internet already.

Transit issue shows need for two voices

In reacting to the city's new transit plan, the Honolulu Advertiser's Oct. 27 editorial was headlined: "Trams: Half measures can avail us nothing." That same day, the Star-Bulletin published its own view: "City's latest transit plan shows promise."

One issue, two completely opposite conclusions. Honolulu needs two newspapers.

Doug Carlson

Sex offenders must be barred from schools

I am appalled that anyone would think a convicted sex offender should have a "second chance" to work around children (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 29, "Sex offender could work in schools"). Perhaps rehabilitation is possible, but what if it isn't?

If there is ANY chance that they could reoffend (and there is always a chance), convicted sex offenders should not be permitted around our children, especially in a school. After all, where are children supposed to go? They are not allowed to leave campus, so they are virtually prisoners in the classroom of the offender and completely at his mercy.

Why does his "second chance" deserve more priority than our children's safety?

If this is going to be the policy of the Department of Education, it should make the information available to parents that there is a convicted sex offender working at their school, then let them decide whether they want this man to have a "second chance" with their children.

Alison Hargraves
Via the Internet

Quotables "The fans, the tons of leis, and I have never signed so many autographs. Whenever we go out as a team everybody wants to take (our) pictures. I don't play that much, but they know me." Tanja Nikolic UH WAHINE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER Happy to be at the University of Hawaii after leaving her native Croatia and transferring from the University of Oregon "The shooting is shocking news, but it happened far from the Waikiki area, so I don't think there is a big problem." Shoichi Suzuki DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER OF ADMINISTRATION AT JTB HAWAII INC. Among the tourism officials who believe that the fatal shootings at Xerox's Iwilei building won't dissuade too many Japanese visitors from visiting the islands

Hawaii needs drug rehab centers, not prisons

Governor Cayetano is reconsidering his position about building a prison on the Big Island and is now looking at possible prison sites on the mainland. I and many others believe that what Hawaii urgently needs is not another prison, but a drug treatment and rehabilitation center.

A first-class drug rehab center would make treatment more readily available, and eliminate or greatly reduce the need for more prison space. Those who seek or require treatment should be able to get help as early as possible, long before they become criminals and are sent to prison.

In August, I wrote U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye about this need and asked him to submit a bill to establish national drug treatment and rehabilitation centers, with the first one in Hawaii to serve as a model for others.

I ask Governor Cayetano to work with Senator Inouye to make the Hawaii center a reality.

Ed Cesar
Kahaluu
Via the Internet

Hanauma Bay is in dire need of improvements

Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular attractions in the state. Such a valuable natural resource needs a first-class facility to accommodate its many visitors.

Its current facilities are a disgrace to the city and state, and do not do justice to this magnificent natural resource. The restrooms are inadequate and cramped, the concession buildings are dilapidated, and the staff offices, cashier booths and education facilities lack adequate space.

The planned improvements will provide the necessary accommodations and services that will help to enrich the recreational experience of people who visit Hanauma Bay by meeting their basic needs for adequate restrooms, refreshment, safety and security.

Wilbert Ching
Hanauma Bay Volunteer

Matsuo always looked at good in people

The passing of Wayne Matsuo has been a huge loss to those of us who knew him and to the larger community. Your Oct. 19 article about his achievements was a beautiful tribute, but no list of accomplishments could ever compare to knowing the man himself.

I was a student in two of his University of Hawaii classes. He was an excellent teacher, not only because he possessed knowledge from 27 years of experience in the area of corrections, but because he was a great person as well.

His most amazing quality was his endearing optimism toward others. Whether it was learned from his work in corrections or living life itself, he knew that no one was perfect and stressed the importance of giving people a chance.

Wayne Matsuo was more to me than just a former instructor. He was my mentor, father figure and, most important, a friend.

Kathryn Kam
Sociology Student
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Via the Internet

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