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Letters
to the Editor

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Saturday, February 12, 2000

Don't shortchange adult education

Who says our state has a do-nothing Legislature? The House has just introduced and passed in first reading a bill to kill adult education in a few months.

Lawmakers apparently don't realize that community school students do not fit in or want to deal with the more formal system in the community colleges.

What many of them, especially recently arrived immigrants, need right away are survival skills and survival English. They need classes to help them get U.S. citizenship and to qualify for certain government assistance, jobs or get their relatives here for family reunions.

Such students, many in their senior age and with minimal English, would probably get lost on a college campus, not to mention learning the registration process. Furthermore, few can afford about $300 each semester for tuition.

To transfer adult education into the community college system, as HB 3003 would do, is an insidious way to kill it -- at least for many immigrants. Reps. Ito, Takai and Ahu Isa, who sponsored the bill, should have listened to their constituents before acting.

Yip-wang Law

Those who run red lights are tempting fate

I applaud the police officers who were handing out warnings to drivers blocking intersections. It has greatly improved the flow of traffic.

Now warnings should be given to those who run red lights, before we have a tragic accident at one of these same intersections.

The other day I watched the driver in front of me go through a red light, while the officers were handing out the warnings!

Roger Hutchings

Quotables "In Waikiki, you see neatly piled goods, well displayed, but no more the warmth. They just put things out and let the customer decide. We wait on them, help them find what they want." Robert Iida PRESIDENT OF IIDA'S STORE AT ALA MOANA CENTER Explaining the secret to retailing longevity of the family-owned business, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary "All you're really seeing is a bunch of kids playing. You do know we're nothing but overgrown children, don't you?" Jake Plummer ARIZONA CARDINALS QUARTERBACK Who, for the second year in a row, was the overall winner of the NFL Quarterback Challenge held at Vindinha Stadium in Lihue, Kauai

Unappetizing story about chicken lunches

As the grandmother of school-aged children, I was alarmed by your Feb. 8 headline, "Children are eating diseased poultry," on a Cox News Service article.

I was stupefied to learn that chickens with pus, scabs and tumors on their skins are routinely considered acceptable by federal and private inspectors, and are eaten by school children in 31 states.

But then I felt comforted and reassured that eating pus, scabs and tumors in ground-up form does not adversely affect children's health -- as long as the nuggets or patties are "properly cooked." What a relief! What a terrific school lunch item! What a great use of tax dollars!

Actually, I am truly glad I became a vegetarian 10 years ago...

Eva Martin

DBEDT tries to circumvent system

Recently, there has been a loud and persistent clamoring for civil service reform. The administration says it wants flexibility in dealing with employees, and that it needs to be able to adjust its work force to rapidly changing conditions.

But greater flexibility also brings the potential for greater abuse.

A number of bills have been introduced regarding reorganization of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism through the establishment of a "High-Technology Development Corp." These include HB2356, SB2708, HB2500 and SB2841.

The governor has repeatedly stated that he wants to see civil service reform and a reduction in civil service positions. But, with this legislation, DBEDT is creating an "elite" group of up to 43 new civil service personnel.

These individuals will not be required to conform to current civil service rules and regulations, but will nevertheless be provided with all civil service rights and protections.

David Rezachek

Raceway park track is greatly improved

Congratulations to the new managers of Hawaii Raceway Park's oval track. They should be encouraged by Saturday night's increased attendance by fans and competitors.

Improvements have been made to the racing surface, safety fences, bleachers and restrooms. Even with the slightly revised racing format, which included time trials, the evening's program was completed before 9:45 p.m.

Their continued efforts will result in additional support from fans and the business community for the track's events and the race teams that participate. All these factors mean a night at the races has, once again, become a realistic alternative for those seeking family entertainment.

John Luther

Surviving newspaper should act responsibly

It is still very fresh in my mind that the Star-Bulletin fulfilled its responsibility to the people of Hawaii by printing the "Broken Trust" article.

If Honolulu is faced with having only one daily paper, we should all cross our fingers and hope that the surviving daily understands the enormous responsibility it has to the public to report fairly and accurately on all issues that affect us -- no matter how controversial the topic.

Ann Wharton

Star-Bulletin has our vote, but not Hirono

We all greatly appreciate the survival of the Star-Bulletin despite Governor Cayetano's premature remark last year that he "could care less if there was an afternoon newspaper."

Cayetano's comment regarding the possibility of Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono running for governor that he and she think very much alike has encouraged my decision not to vote for her.

We don't need an extension of his two terms.

G. Woo

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Bulletin closing archive

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Democrats still fight for civil rights

How anyone can be a Republican is simply beyond me. During the past 50 years, the Republicans have resisted every measure that would further the civil rights of African Americans, women, gays and lesbians.

This is not to say that all Republicans are racist, sexist and homophobic; nor is it to say that there aren't plenty of racist, sexist and homophobic Democrats.

But the fact remains that, over the past half-century, one party has fought for civil rights (albeit not strenuously enough), and one party has fought against civil rights.

It's your choice which party you choose to call your own. But, as far as I'm concerned, it's a no-brainer.

Jonathan R. Peterson

Impatient drivers should slow down, chill out

I understand your obligation to present both sides of the issues. However, you have printed several recent letters from those who believe our No. 1 traffic problem involves those driving a few miles per hour under the speed limit.

You must be allowing these views on your pages to highlight how selfish and dangerous such attitudes are.

Michael Scherr and John Scrivener (Letters, Jan. 29) should consider that -- on a drive of 15 miles, or roughly from Kahala to Pearl City or downtown to Mililani -- the difference between 55 mph and 40 mph will save them less than two minutes. Yet the "slower driver," they tell us, is a greater problem than tailgating or other forms of aggressive driving, and that it contributes to road rage.

Slower drivers may be annoying, but they aren't dangerous, nor are they a significant part of our traffic congestion. Mainland freeways have greater distances and "passing" lanes make sense there. Here, the left lane is just another lane.

I have three tips for impatient drivers: slow down, back off our bumpers and quit changing lanes every few seconds. It's immature drivers who are the biggest problem!

Mark McCullough

Campaign finance reform is viable in city, state races

I read with enjoyment Richard Borreca's Feb. 9 column on City Council "experiments."

He accurately refers to two of the motivations for public financing of elections: removing the pressure of large donations from special interests, and stemming the recent explosion in campaign spending.

Unfortunately, Borreca describes the proposed "experiment" of public financing for City Council elections in 2002 as "not very useful."

This pilot program would be extremely useful. It would tell us whether the Clean Money public financing concept is viable for Hawaii. Clean Money is designed to cut the special interest connection and limit the cost of campaigns.

The Campaign Spending Commission and interested parties would, of course, have a vital responsibility to study the results of the pilot. If successful, the program could be applied to the Legislature and other offices in later years.

Will Best

Executive Director
Hawaii Elections Project

Can't wait for Wahine volleyball season

I'm glad Veronica Lima is returning for her junior year to play on the UH women's volleyball team. I'm also glad that we'll be getting three new Wahine for the 2000 season.

As always, it will be exciting to see the new and returning players putting every effort into winning a national title. What my friends and I hope is that Coach Dave Shoji will have girls who can pass the ball, because that's what makes an offense work.

I have season tickets for both UH men's and women's volleyball games. As I watch the current Rainbow men passing flawlessly, I hope the same for the Wahine.

Ron Mesiona
Waianae

Hawaii can produce great movies

My wife and I saw "Moonglow" at the Kahala Theaters recently and it proved a couple of things: The talent in Hawaii can produce a world-class movie like "Moonglow," and Joe Moore is a fine actor who held his own, thank you, with Milo O'Shea, who is superb.

My wife and I laughed, cried and wanted to clap at the ending, but we just smiled at each other and said, "Wow, what a wonderful movie."

Please, do yourself and the local film industry a favor and see "Moonglow." Then when you see me in a club or on the street, you can thank me for the great tip.

Jimmy Borges

Poll is needed on fluoridation issue

Is fluoridating our water supply the only way to reduce children's cavities?

Fluoridation is still being studied by a number of mainland cities. Why don't we wait and find out their results before committing to it ourselves?

In fact, your newspaper should conduct a survey to find out how many people will switch to drinking bottled water or soft drinks if our water supply is fluoridated.

If it's a choice between spending money on our water system or public education, it's an easy decision. We need to fix our playgrounds and school facilities. We also need to entice more of our bright young people into the teaching profession.

Warren K. Fukushima
Pearl City

Fluoridated water is hazardous to health

I am concerned about the proposal to fluoridate Hawaii's water supply. Fluoride is a poison. It is more toxic than lead.

According to the Safe Water Foundation, fluoridation is responsible for the chronic poisoning of millions of Americans each year. Fluoridation poisoning can cause the discoloration and mottling of children's teeth, and is linked to cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, genetic damage and autoimmune disorders.

There is wide variation as to the amount of water people can consume. Accurately supplying any medication through the water supply is impossible.

Infants, due to their small body weight and total dependence on fluid nourishment, would receive disproportionately larger doses than adults. Babies drinking formula prepared with tap water would be at highest risk.

Terri Scott
Hilo

Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes

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