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Thanks for shedding light on estate's abuses

Thanks to staff writer Rick Daysog (Star-Bulletin, April 17) for data showing "Kamehameha Schools operated a massive political machine." Very important were specific charges involving Joe Souki (65 meals) and Calvin Say (37) and their benefits.

Daysog informed us of the legislators who gained improperly: Marshall Ige, Milton Holt, Merwyn Jones, Harvey Tajiri, Terrance Tom and Bobby Bunda. Thanks also for revealing so many illegal actions by Kamehameha's board.

Jerome G. Manis

Union members take advantage of legislators

The public worker unions of Hawaii continue to drive home their message to members of the Legislature: "Give us what we want or else you will not be re-elected." They seem to believe that every benefit gained by this tactic is their due no matter what the cost. They vilify a governor who understands that there must be reform.

It is the duty of each legislator to serve all the taxpayers of this state by striving for efficient and cost-effective government, by providing a balance between the cost of government and the ability of the taxpayers of this state to carry that burden.

I urge each legislator to have the personal courage to perform this duty, despite the loud and organized pressure to reject civil service reform.

Richard Flagg

Silent masses of public workers want change

It was inspiring to see common workers express their personal views at the Hawaii Government Employees Association rally, without fear of recrimination.

I would like to note, however, that there are thousands of government employees who do not agree with HGEA policies and practices and who desire significant reforms in government. These are the silent masses who believe that the public deserves something better from its public servants -- efficient government and quality public services by quality employees.

Unfortunately, the union has made this effort to improve government nearly impossible with the singular goal of maintaining its own hegemony by using its members as political entities.

It is essential to maintain open dialogue with the administration over salary and benefit issues. But this alone will not solve much deeper problems in the public-sector work force. Union protectionism and a fractured civil service system have all but spoiled the work environment for inspired workers and has sent many into private-sector jobs or to the mainland seeking a more professional and career-building environment.

Those who remain, and try to maintain quality service, or seek to advance changes, burn out, having to carry double or triple workloads because their co-workers are not qualified, don't care or just aren't around.

If government can't require accountability from its employees, business will go on as usual.

Sam Lemmo

Clinton wasn't making a threat about guns

Either letter writer Loi P. Le (April 1, Star-Bulletin) is very gullible or he thinks that we are. Le sided with the shameless NRA in its statement that President Clinton "needs a certain level of violence, and is responsible for gun deaths in our nation."

President Clinton's statement that children are killed with guns every day was a sad statement of fact, not a threat, as Le implied. Give us a break.

Le stated that President Clinton "used military firepower so often during the impeachment trial to distract our attention." It was only once and was anyone's attention distracted from that spectacle?

Please note that Le's letter was published on April Fool's Day.

Nancy Bey Little

Henry Walker was dedicated to Hawaii

I read with interest and sadness about the passing of Henry Walker Jr., a truly fine human being and dedicated kamaaina.

As a former kamaaina myself, I was lucky enough to have personally known him through my family's friendship with his family for many years. As stated in your April 15 article, he was able to interface with people from all walks of life, without being condescending or portentous.

He was a leader and, through his hard work and foresight, brought Amfac to its heights as an industry leader. May he live on in the hearts of all who knew him and be remembered for his caring and love of the islands. He is an icon of Hawaii past.

Diane Louise Thompson
Long Beach, Calif.

Golf anecdote reveals legislator's incompetence

I was incredulous when I read Sen. Cal Kawamoto's reason for confirming Earl Anzai as attorney general. He simply states, "I played golf with Mr. Anzai," and adds that the way Anzai plays golf shows his integrity.

By voting to confirm the top law enforcement official in the state based on his golf game, Kawamoto is a disgrace to the Senate and an embarrassment to the people of Hawaii.

Roy Frank Westlake

Life in Cuba compares favorably to the U.S.

In an April 15 Insight article, Michael Laosa of Cox News Service severely criticized the Cuban government. He used a third of his space to describe the trying experience of his parents and other Cubans leaving Cuba in 1961, 40 years ago. As such, he is a biased writer. He did not mention that many years ago Castro released tens of thousands Cubans to enter the United States.

Cuba, just as the U.S., is entirely different from what it was four decades ago. In Cuba, there are no school shootings or drive-by shootings. Private ownership of guns is banned. There aren't drunk drivers or use of illegal drugs, especially by students. Classroom discipline is strict. Schools and lunches are free. Cubans walk the streets at night without fear.

Meanwhile, gun violence and crime in the U.S. are rampant. Getting a firearm is easy, contributing to the highest number of gun deaths in the world. Our prisons are overcrowded and consume a huge share of the budget.

These are some of the conditions in Cuba and the United States that Laosa and others should ponder.

How Tim Chang

Quotables "You are fighting for this for your entire family." Rep. Patsy Mink HAWAII CONGRESSWOMAN Addressing yesterday's public worker union rally protesting civil service reforms before the state Legislature "We don't see youth breaking down doors of these establishments trying to pretend they're seriously ill." Keith Vines FORMER SAN FRANCISCO NARCOTICS PROSECUTOR Explaining that he doesn't believe young people who are not sick will abuse the right to use marijuana for medical purposes

Three ways to improve Hawaii public education

The situation in Hawaii's public schools will only get worse unless three things happen:

Teachers' salaries and benefits must be raised. A recent survey shows that Hawaii public school teachers earn an average $7,000 less than in other states. Why teach here when they can go to the mainland and earn more?

Also, other states are offering bonuses, travel expenses and better benefits. Meanwhile, our governor and legislators want to take away benefits and not pay higher salaries. How do they expect to retain or hire qualified teachers?

The Department of Education should not allow the public schools to hire uncertified teachers. Currently, approximately 40 percent of teachers are not certified and/or are teaching out of their certified area. What about standards and accountability?

All elected leaders should enroll their children in the public schools. How can the governor, senators and representatives claim to serve the best interests of the people when they don't have their own kids in public schools? There needs to be a state law that mandates this.

You get what you pay for. The deplorable condition of our public schools is the result of the governor's and Legislature's refusal to put the necessary money into the education budget.

Harold T. Irving Jr.

Mandating sprinklers is government oppression

I have about had it with Big Brother continually trying to handle our problems for us -- at our expense, of course. Now it's sprinklers for commercial high-rise buildings to be paid for by their owners.

Instead, I'd like to see an analysis of:

How many lives have been lost in high-rise fires.

How many such fires have spread beyond the unit in which they started. I can't remember any, at least in the past 25 years. Yet single-family residences usually destroy the entire building, and there have been many lives lost in these fires. Why not start where the real danger is and require all single-family homes to have sprinklers?

Richard Rowland, in his April 14 letter, suggests that firefighters accept a salary cut to pay for retrofits if they're so concerned about our safety. I suggest the same for Honolulu City Council members who would be so quick to have us spend our money, not theirs.

I have called my City Council representative and the mayor with my opinion, including the request that I, as an adult, be allowed to handle my own problems.

I suggest that all high-rise owners do the same.

R.W. Parkinson

Americans should be more patriotic, compassionate

Why do we pay our income taxes only grudgingly and pay no more than absolutely necessary? Why do our political candidates appeal to our selfish interests, promising a reduction in taxes or special benefits for the groups to which we belong?

Whatever happened to former President Kennedy's stirring appeal: "Don't ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country?" It seems self-interest has replaced patriotism and gratitude, despite our nation's many good points.

One could go a step farther and say: Why can't our country go beyond "national interests" and carry out the Golden Rule toward other nations? If we treated other places -- including Cuba, Iran and Iraq --as we would like to be treated, this would surely be a better world.

Armin H. Kroehler

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