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Heen should denounce scoundrels in own party

State Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen must really be desperate. In his Jan. 13 letter, he welcomed a former Republican, Willie Espero, into the Democratic lair but was more than happy to rid himself of two people who greatly helped the Democrats build their strength over the years.

I'm no fan of Frank Fasi, but for Heen to deride a former member who was once the pillar of the party says a lot. Now Heen says, "You're welcome to him," about the Big Island's Harvey Tajiri, once a highly regarded Democrat, after he joined the Republicans.

The Democratic Party has gotten away from its original ideals and Heen's arrogance is an example of the problem.

When will he denounce members of his own party who have disgraced themselves and the Democrats, people like Sen. Marshall Ige, former House Speaker Henry Peters, former Senate President Richard Wong and former Sen. Milton Holt?

Fred Gartley
Kaneohe

Bus driver should be more polite

My 3-year-old son and I caught the No. 4 University/Waikiki bus around 5:10 p.m. on Alapai Street. We were offered a seat up front by a generous rider. I had my son sit while I stood. I chose not to have my son on my lap because I was wearing white.

While on the Ward Avenue overpass, the bus driver rudely asked which adult was with my son. When I answered, the driver told me my son couldn't sit there.

I understand that the elderly and handicapped should have a priority when it comes to seating, but the bus was only slightly full and slowy emptying out.

That driver should get some training on public relations and customer service.

Lori Apuna
Via the Internet

Quotables "Let's call a spade a spade. This is a speech for election-year purposes." Mufi Hannemann Honolulu city councilman Calling the prime-time television rebroadcast of Mayor Jeremy Harris' State of the City address a "campaign documentary" "I chopped up Mr. Tabag." Michael Lawrence Accused of murdering vacuum cleaner salesman melchor tabag Confessing to a state psychologist, according to city Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Takata

Sierra Club seeks accountability

Boo-hoo-hoo. Robert Fishman of the Hawaii Tourism Authority believes the Sierra Club is intent on destroying Hawaii's economy single-handedly by seeking environmental impact assessments of public-funded tourism projects.

In addition, your newspaper editorializes that the economy could "grind to a halt" if the organization were to win this case in court.

Never mind that the Sierra Club is seeking to hold the HTA accountable for both its use of taxpayer money and the environmental effects of its decisions, and that the "slippery slope" arguments being made by both Fishman and your newspaper are laughable substitutes for reasoned debate.

Never mind that some people are intent on maintaining a Hawaii where we prostitute the land and culture, where all children can look forward to service industry futures, and where all is well as long as the same people hold the same offices and spout the same rhetoric year after year.

Patrick DeBusca
Via the Internet

No ban of fireworks is necessary

I spend about $35 on fireworks -- a string for good fortune for my home, sparklers and single packs for the kids, and some novelties.

I don't take them apart to make bombs and don't tape multiples together. On New Year's Eve, I supervise the kids playing with fireworks. We eat New Year's food, toast in the coming year then go to bed.

If the laws were obeyed and enforced, violators were prosecuted, and traditions were practiced responsibly, there should be no need for a fireworks ban. If your neighbor is breaking the law, ask him to stop or call police. That is a citizen's responsibility.

I hope the Legislature doesn't become mired in a fireworks debate like it did with gay marriage, legalized gambling, a Senate reorganization or any other red-herring issue that gives our elected officials an excuse not to lead.

Charles Kaaiai
Kailua
Via the Internet

Local celebration was embarrassing

CNN showed New Year's celebrations in the great cities of the world, with well-organized, professional fireworks and festivities. By the time it got to Honolulu at midnight, the sky was so smoky you couldn't see anything.

It was a disgrace. And the commentator actually said, "Hawaii has very strict laws banning fireworks. Only professionals are allowed to ignite them." Hah!

It is just so absurd and backward that fireworks are allowed and sold at Longs Drug Stores (of all places), grocery stores, etc.

Religious and cultural? Give us a break. Keep the Star-Bulletin. Dump the fireworks.

Nancy Bey Little
Via the Internet

Group members should prune trees themselves

I agree with Alvin Ah Loo's Jan. 17 letter about the Outdoor Circle. Like Ah Loo, I applaud Honolulu Fire Capt. Steve Ogata for cutting the trees at his fire station. It's not like the trees won't grow back.

If Outdoor Circle members don't have anything better to do than to patrol the neighborhood, perhaps they should check the freeways and walls for graffitti. Or if they are going to look out for "vandalism" of trees, they should carry their shears and maintain the greenery themselves, and bring a couple of garbage bags for the rubbish on the ground.

Kepo'omaikalani Park
Kaneohe
Via the Internet

State should offer amnesty to tax evaders

A lot of people don't pay taxes. One woman told me that she didn't have the money to do so, so she didn't file. The same thing happened the next year. She kept running her business, thinking "next year" she'll make enough to start payments. It didn't happen.

Finally, she was so in debt that she felt overwhelmed. She knew that she could never pay off all the interest and penalties. She is still in the state, but I bet others in the same situation have left Hawaii.

That's money the state will never see. My suggestion? Amnesty.

By offering amnesty, state government will be saying: Here's a one-time offer. Make arrangements for payments in a timely manner, and we will drop the interest and penalties.

This way, the state will receive the money it is owed, and can use some of it to update its collection system. If people don't file, the state can hunt them down.

Tom Slade

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