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Booze-sting culprits must be punished

I am appalled that clerks in 116 stores were caught selling liquor to minors (Star-Bulletin, May 22). The consequences are fair enough, since they broke the law.

Because minors are dying in car accidents often caused by liquor, the sellers should be prosecuted and face the consequences for their violations. They should learn that what they did was wrong and never to do it again.

Ashley Napoleon-Kawelo
Waianae

Cayetano made right decision on tax credit

Congratulations to Governor Cayetano for having the good sense to veto the bill that would have provided tax credits of up to 20 percent to hotel construction and renovation projects.

I'm also glad he plans on approving a more reasonable 4 percent credit for hotel construction and renovation.

To my knowledge, this is the first time two bills pertaining to the same subject were sent to the governor for signature. In doing so, the Legislature squarely placed the burden on Cayetano to determine which amount of tax credits should be awarded to the hotel industry.

Although I voted in favor of both bills, I was astute enough to recognize that the governor could approve only one of the proposals. I sincerely applaud him for making the sensible choice.

Whitney T. Anderson
Senate Minority Leader

Number of computers isn't key concern

I hope no parent was filled with joy or suffered despair after reading your May 23 article, "A mouse in the house."

Counting computers in the fashion described by your reporter is like taking a book census at the library without regard to content or publication date.

Computers that are able only to provide keyboard training and word processing are the equivalent of typewriters for those of us educated in the dark ages of technology.

However, a school with, say, five to 10 of the latest, greatest multimedia computers with appropriate software is light years ahead of its neighboring public or private campus, assuming the following conditions are met:

The computers are on wheels and available to any teacher who wants one -- first come, first serve.

The computers are in the classroom for project-based learning spanning three to five consecutive school days. When was the last time you learned anything worthwhile in 45-minute blocks of time occurring once every two months?

Selected students in every school earn the designation of tech experts and are available to assist teachers with hardware and software issues.

Don't count the boxes but rather the number of teachers anxious to use state-of-the art technology in their classrooms, with the unconditional support of administrators and parents.

J.W. Ellsworth
LET Academy

Quotables "Six years later, I don't see it (big improvements). They're still sending kids to the mainland." Frankie Servetti-Coleman MOTHER OF JENNIFER FELIX, Lamenting the lack of progress made by the state of Hawaii. (Jennifer Felix was 20 when a class-action lawsuit was filed in her name six years ago alleging state violations of federal laws requiring education and mental health services for special-needs children) "You'd better get ready for the Democrats to still be in charge. The working people are coming back in charge of this country." Neil Abercrombie U.S. REPRESENTATIVE Shouting in his wrap-up speech at the Hawaii Democratic convention

Story on domestic abuse wasn't complete

It's a good thing domestic violence has dropped, according to your Associated Press story, "Domestic violence plunges in 1990s" (Star-Bulletin, May 17).

We've created programs for victims because they are essential for saving lives. We're glad that women have shelter options and legal remedies to help them escape abuse rather than rely on deadly alternatives.

We're also happy that the programs we've created have contributed to the decrease of domestic violence homicides of men.

But we do not know whether the nation has seen a decrease in the number of domestic homicides of women. Aren't we also trying to prevent a victim's death?

It is a curious outcome that, in spite of the programs created, the training implemented and the resources allocated, women are still being assaulted at an alarming rate.

Perpetrators have not gotten the message that the country is developing policies, laws and programs designed to support a zero tolerance platform.

Sinc women are still five times more likely to be attacked than men, we should acknowledge that it continues to be a myth that women are as violent as men.

Our understanding of the root causes, the cultural expectations, the role models and the statistical reporting suggests and maintains that females are most often the victims of domestic violence crimes and domestic violence homicides.

This recognition will aid us in our efforts to protect the lives of women victims, and to believe them when they come forward asking for help.

Nanci Kreidman
Domestic Violence Clearinghouse
and Legal Hotline

Flores has nobody to blame but himself

I must set the record straight about my attorneys fees in the L&L case (Star-Bulletin, May 17). Contrary to what Eddie Flores' attorney has told the media, my attorney never offered to drop the lawsuits "early on" if he was paid $70,000. That is simply untrue.

I filed my lawsuits in September 1997, at which time there were about a dozen barriers in each L&L restaurant I sued. I made my first settlement offer in January 1999 -- 17 months later.

I offered to drop the lawsuits, with each side paying its own expenses because Flores had, by then, removed most of the barriers.

However, Flores refused to settle unless we agreed never to sue another one of his restaurants. I could never agree to that. What if he built one with steps?

Therefore, we had no choice but to continue on to trial. After listening to the evidence, the judge ruled that Flores had not made "good faith" efforts to comply.

It was only after trial, while we were awaiting the judge's decision, that we offered to settle for $70,000.

By the way, I do not get any of that money; it is all for attorney fees.

Mr. Flores' unsupported accusations are intended to make him look like the victim when, in truth, this whole mess is really his fault. He has nobody to blame but himself.

Eric Parr

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