Illegal aerials worst part of New Year's Eve

Your Dec. 20 Star-Bulletin Poll showed that only 35 percent of respondents intended to use fireworks on New Year's Eve. How ironic that such a small portion of our population can wreak havoc on the rest of us.

Not only were fireworks exploding weeks before their designated time, but illegal aerials were going off in every direction. We watched several police units drive by -- with rockets shooting off from both sides of the road -- but none stopped.

Don't you think police should have made the effort? Is there a "jungle-rules" mentality here?

People are just doing what they like, regardless of their neighbors, and all of us are suffering because of their actions. And, as we are an island state, it's very disconcerting to think of how many explosives are probably riding along with us in our travels.

John Geng
Kaunakakai, Molokai
Via the Internet

Fireworks are pleasure for mainland visitors

My husband and I just returned from a wonderful New Year's celebration in your city. I can't tell you how much we enjoyed the hospitality that we received.

What we especially enjoyed, however, were the fabulous fireworks displays by the citizens. In Maryland, we do not have these pleasures.

Believe me, we will return next year and hope that we can participate in the fun of fireworks. Your citizens are lucky to have this freedom!

Barbara Leonard
Baltimore, Md.
Via the Internet

Quotables "The people here are so nice. They give you the shaka sign even if they don't know you. Everybody feels like family in Hawaii. I would like to see that continue." Michael Hackler 10-year-old Iolani student On his wish for the year 2000 and beyond "If my parents need to reach me, they can just page. I guess technology has brought me closer to my family." Aaron Mikami 15-year-old St. Louis School sophomore Reflecting on the high-tech age

Bomb scare debacle at airport inexcusable

The Honolulu Airport's international arrival terminal was closed for three hours on Christmas Eve, inconveniencing thousands of travelers, because a dog from the canine explosive detection unit and all the X-ray machines couldn't tell the difference between a battery charger and a bomb?

And Jerry Matsuda, airports administrator, says everything worked very, very well? Give me a break.

James M. Hykes
Via the Internet

Longline decision hurts Hawaii fishermen

The Guam fishing community cannot believe that one million square miles of North Pacific Ocean has been closed to Hawaii-based longline fishermen to protect the loggerhead and leather-back turtles.

We suspect this to be a major publicity stunt. It is certainly of no help to the turtles.

We have seen the abuse made by unregulated foreign vessels in our region. The U.S. posture in the fishing community would further be damaged by the implementation of more domestic regulations. U.S. boats are overly regulated as compared to the rest of the world.

The reason these turtles became endangered in the first place is the massive hunting of eggs and adults in their major nesting areas in Malaysia and Indonesia. Hawaii fishermen intercept only a handful of adult turtles, with a small percentage of fatalities.

Why, then, are they being penalized while Southeast Asians are able to deplete turtle populations to near extinction?

Manuel P. Duenas II
President Guam Fishermen's Co-op Association
Hagatna, Guam

Gist of letter on nursing concerns was edited out

I am very unhappy about the way my Dec. 28 letter on nurses was edited. The crux of my message -- the last paragraph -- was missing.

Therefore, may I repeat this important point: that because hospitals are practically doing drive-though surgery, registered nurses have less time to prepare patients to take care of themselves after discharge.

Since only the sickest are in the hospital, the person watching patients must be properly trained to spot and intervene before a situation becomes emergent. And that's what RNs do.

Understand that nurses' concerns are over quality of care, what we consider safety issues and having enough trained eyes watching over some really sick people -- your people.

I urge the community to get behind the nurses and let hospital administrators know that, when you come to their facilities, you want an RN at your bedside.

Leslie Garamella, RN
Via the Internet

Another job opportunity for coach to consider

Never mind those "June Jones for Governor" T-shirts. What about June Jones for Bishop Estate trustee? Go Bows!

Von Kenric Kaneshiro
San Jose, Calif.
Via the Internet

Clinton is wrong not to support Vieques

Recently, President Clinton has made statements and decisions concerning the continued use of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility Range at Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, that individually and collectively could be seriously harmful to Navy and Marine Corps combat readiness.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the five war-fighting CINCs have all stated that Vieques is a vital part of training our combat forces. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen stated that there is currently no comparable alternative to the use of Vieques.

There is one absolute truth involved and it should transcend politics. Lives are at stake. Our young loyal, disciplined soldiers, sailors and Marines who put their lives at risk have the right to expect the best possible training from the American people and from the Commander-in-Chief.

Jim Pitton
Executive Director
Honolulu Council Navy League

Hospitals should get tobacco money

Can you imagine Governor Cayetano's surprise when he found all that money from the tobacco settlement just waiting to be spent? That money should be allocated to the hospitals in Hawaii, who are really left holding the bag for all the smoking going on.

Jack A. Fiero Sr.

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