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Hawaii must stop accepting mediocrity

A few years ago, an earthquake leveled several of Los Angeles' precious freeways. Using emergency authority, the state suspended certain regulations and contracted the project to known performers. They were given serious incentives to complete the repairs ahead of schedule, and threatened with hefty penalties if they ran late.

The repairs were done well, ahead of schedule and under budget.

Today, state transportation chief Kazu Hayashida and highways administrator Pericles Manthos are already warning the public of a lengthy, expensive repair project. A proposal to route traffic across the beach using Army-supplied iron grate for a roadway would be an environmental nightmare.

Hawaii must start insisting on excellence instead of accepting mediocrity. If we don't have the right talent to emulate L.A., we need to get rid of our ineffective lawmakers and bureaucrats, and put people in place who can work quickly and effectively under extraordinary circumstances.

Ken Armstrong

North Shore is lucky to have Kahuku Hospital

During this latest crisis for the folks on the North Shore, I feel compelled to share this observation: If Kahuku Hospital had been closed down, as the powers-that-be wanted a few years ago, the citizens living there would be totally without medical aid.

Recently, my aunt was critically ill and had to go to Kahuku Hospital's emergency room. The hospital offered her excellent care, as good as or better than any "big-time" hospital in Honolulu.

So, a big mahalo to the doctors and staff of Kahuku Hospital, as well as to those suffering the inconvenience of a closed Kamehameha Highway. Just know that you have the best medical care on the island.

Pat Hong

Sky's the limit for presidential trip

A few days ago, while driving through Hickam Air Force Base, I noticed an unusual number of tankers and cargo-type aircraft parked on the ramp. I knew President Clinton was headed for Asia in a few days and assumed this was part of the pre-trip preparation.

I had heard rumors that a previous overseas trip by the president required more than 300 sorties (missions) by the Air Force, which seems like a lot. Then a Star-Bulletin article last week stated that, in addition to Air Force aircraft, 10 Marine Corps Sea Stallion Helicopters and 100 Marines from Kaneohe would also be going. Plus, the Marine contingent would be augmented by Marine helicopters and personnel from Quantico to shuttle the president.

All of this would be further augmented by aircraft from the Special Air Mission unit from Andrews Air Force Base. This fleet would consist of Air Force One, a back-up Air Force One, plus an unknown number of other 707 or cargo-types to carry Secret Service, press, assorted dignitaries and the presidential limo.

I would not be writing except for one reason: I am in the middle of preparing my income tax return and wondering how many of my tax dollars are being used to support this air armada for a presidential trip.

William G. Burlingame Sr.
Mililani

Quotables "President Clinton has been very helpful, sympathetic to our needs. It's urgent we try to move as far as we can while he's in office." Daniel Akaka U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII On the establishment of a Native Hawaiian Office in the Department of Interior "We cannot be mad, cannot be hating right now. He's really a nice person." Lillian Cabral SISTER OF KAUAI RESIDENT MIU LAN ESPOSO-AGUIAR About her brother-in-law, Gregory Aguiar, who allegedly poured a flammable liquid on his wife's head, then set her on fire with a lighter during a domestic dispute at the couple's Eleele home. Esposo-Aguiar is in Straub Hospital with burns over 76 percent of her body

Those who vote secretly should be booted out

The law is the law. Those in the Legislature who won't abide by the Sunshine Law are out and out crooks. Publicize who they are, so we can vote them out of office. Enough is enough!

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

Challenge to media to remain interesting

I agree with Diane Chang's March 13 column, "Participating in the death of hard news." We all do that -- skipping the boring news, especially when we're in the news business. We get so jaded with what we are bombarded with that most news no longer gets our attention unless it's especially tragic or Earth-shattering.

Here in Tokyo, I cover travel for a travel trade publication, which is a sleeper compared to other beats. So I enjoy looking at the many news Web pages on the Internet. And many times I, too, zip through these pages, reading only those things that grab my attention.

It's scary to realize that, because many people are becoming desensitized by the news, that we in the news business must adjust our contents to keep them interested.

Adrian Mangiboyat Jr.
Tokyo

Whom does McDermott really represent?

What is Rep. Bob McDermott's political agenda in his defense of the Stadium Authority? He was elected to represent his constituents, not a state agency.

McDermott did nothing to represent me as his constituent when I was losing my job over the decision made by the Stadium Authority to take over a privately run enterprise and create more state payroll.

This is one of the reasons our state budget is growing bigger in this bad economy. Government payrolls are supposed to come down, not go up.

Jack Kaawai Jr.

McCain was treated badly by the GOP

George W. Bush and the Republicans can talk all they want about education and other issues, but it is clear through their actions that what they hold in most esteem: the preservation of moneyed special-interest groups.

When Sen. John McCain dared to challenge this most sacred of GOP ideals, the Republican political establishment closed ranks and obliterated him. Even though McCain is an unflinching party loyalist and a genuine American hero, the party machine used all of its resources to demonize him and silence his calls for desperately needed reform.

Throughout his campaign, McCain said he was in a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican party. It is clear now that the GOP has no heart, and that it has sold its soul.

Mike Strong
Kaneohe

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