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McCubbin should be next UH president

I disagree with Governor Cayetano's statement that "locals" should be excluded from the job of president of the University of Hawaii, and that Kenneth Mortimer's successor should come from the mainland.

Shouldn't we consider Hamilton McCubbin, chief executive officer of Kamehameha Schools, for the post? His expertise in conflict resolution and experience in university administration may be just what we need.

Wilfred Morales

Let Peters serve as UH president

As ridiculous as it may seem, perhaps we should give Henry Peters a probationary two years as University of Hawaii president and, if he isn't successful at whatever is supposed to happen up there, send him to exile on Palmyra Island.

John L. Werrill

State retirees are rolling in the dough

I can't believe that some higher paid executives in the state are retiring at $90,000 per annum, with medical coverage for life, plus Social Security and other fringe benefits. That would amount to more than $100,000 per year in retirement pay and perks.

While it's too late for me, I'm encouraging my children, relatives and friends to apply for state and city jobs to attain such lucrative retirement benefits.

I'm sure Hawaii must have the best retirement benefits of all 50 states, "thanks" to the unions and our legislators.

Toshio Chinen
Pearl City

Retrieval of Forbes artifacts is complex

L. Lau's May 3 letter adds another perspective to the ongoing, community-wide conversation on the Forbes Cave and its contents. However, her view -- that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources should be vigorously pursuing prosecution of Hui Malama under state law -- needs further clarification.

The Forbes Cave controversy primarily concerns alleged violations of federal laws and procedures. The state's involvement is further complicated by the fact that the cave is situated on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property, whose burial sites are under a quasi-federal legal jurisdiction.

On a number of levels, the department has maintained an ongoing interest in the Forbes Cave situation and Hui Malama's actions. The Hawaii Island Burial Council, which is administratively attached to the department, has provided a forum for concerns to be heard.

As federally recognized claimants, members of the burial council have been meeting with the other three claimants in the federal repatriation process, in an attempt to reach an accord.

Our state historic preservation officer has communicated with the federal Department of Interior to slow the repatriation process until an appropriate resolution could be developed.

Our department continues to take seriously its legislatively mandated responsibility to protect historic burial sites in Hawaii. To that end, the state attorney general is pursuing investigation and/or prosecution of offenders who we believe may have broken the burial sites provisions of the state's historic preservation laws.

Timothy Johns
Chairman,
Department of Land and Natural Resources

Quotables "I put the phone to the pet's ear and say, 'Here's your mom!' " Kathy Panicek VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AT THE ANIMAL QUARANTINE BRANCH On how she makes long-distance calls so pets quarantined at the Halawa facility can hear the voices of their owners who haven't yet moved to Hawaii "They're on your street, in the trees, in the bushes, in the gardens -- all over. One man said he hasn't had a good night's rest in months. The roosters on his street crow all night." Gerry Nihipali LAIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBER In charge of a feral chicken roundup in which Laie Boy Scouts will be paid a $1-per-bird bounty

Mansho did right thing for environment

City Councilwoman Rene Mansho is setting a good example by driving an electric car. State and county governments should begin replacing their fleets of gasoline-powered vehicles with those run by batteries.

When government supports the electric car industry, we use less non-renewable natural resources and set a positive example for businesses and private citizens.

In time, more people will get out of their gas-guzzlers and use more energy-efficient ways to get around town.

Lindbergh Marzo

Can Councilwoman justify her free lunches?

In her May 6 View Point column, Councilwoman Rene Mansho explained how she not only covered herself on the electric car deal, but also managed to do us all good, particularly small business.

Now, can we hear from her how having the most free lunches of any Honolulu City Council member paid for by the former Bishop Estate has also done her constituents a world of good?

Steve Kroft of "60 Minutes," don't leave Hawaii just yet!

Kevin Gagan
Mililani

More support for the taking of Elian

I have two short comments regarding the taking of Elian Gonzales from his "Miami family":

Janet Reno waited entirely too long to take the action, of which I obviously approve.

Many individuals have voiced objection to the firearms used by the federal officers. If I were one of these agents, however, I'd certainly want to be armed with weaponry at least equal to that considered to be possibly carried by the more extreme factions within the protesters surrounding the area.

Louis H. Trigg
Pearl City

Media are in cahoots with Democrats

Why aren't the media demanding to see Elian Gonzalez? If a Republican administration had abducted and confined this boy, there would be hell to pay by the liberal media.

Why aren't the media pushing and goading the Republicans to have some congressional committee subpoena this child to rescue him from Cuba's clutches?

What a sad day in America when the media are complicit in Gestapo tactics and a blatant instrument of the Big Lie. The issue is not parental rights, it is human rights -- Elian's human rights, which precede that of any other individual, including his father.

Pete Gerum
Kaneohe

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