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Separate party ballots would end confusion

My experience at the Benjamin Parker School polling place on primary election day was that things appeared to run smoothly and there were many people offering to help with questions about how to vote.

However, when I looked at the ballot, I knew there would be many who might become confused and vote in more than one party race. Having all the parties' candidates printed on the same sheet of paper is like begging to have spoiled ballots.

I have a suggestion to offer: Use the same format (paper ballots that can be read by the same counting machines). Print the nonpartisan races on one side of the ballot sheets. On the other side (separate sheets for each party), print the candidates for that particular party.

For example, a voter would be given two folders and a set of ballots (one for each party). In the privacy of the voting booth, the voter would select the party he prefers, re-insert the other ballots in the "discard" folder, and then vote on the ballot of his party preference (including the non-partisan races on the back).

The voter would hand the "discard" folder to the attendant to be stored separately, and would insert the voted ballot into the machine. We used to be given a set of ballots for different parties and selected them in this way; it was less prone to the crossovers that we experienced in this election.

Denise De Costa
Kaneohe

Quotables "It only took Hui Malama seven days to hide the artifacts...so (returning them) within the 34 days is more than reasonable." Clayton Hee CHAIRMAN, OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS Announcing that Hui Malama, whose members took Hawaiian funereal objects from the Bishop Museum and buried them on the Big Island, has until Nov. 1 to return the artifacts "The people here have a lot of aloha spirit. They're really more of a family than a workplace here." Brian Ross MANAGER OF PAIA SUGAR MILL ON MAUI Discussing his feelings for employees as the 125-year-old mill closes

OHA dispute will cause even more conflict

Ken Conklin believes what he is doing is right. However, he made a statement at the Akaka hearings that "federal legislation granting recognition to native Hawaiians would divide Hawaii along racial lines."

This belies the fact that any kamaaina knows full well there has been racial division in these islands for 107 years. Conklin's statement would have been more realistic and certainly more honest had he said, "Now that we have stolen all we could as racists, let's end racism."

Conklin's effort to infiltrate and ultimately destroy the Office of Hawaiian Affairs provides the very crucible that will create further racial conflict in this state.

As a Hawaiian, I can bear witness to the insidious and subliminal rage lurking beneath the surface of the Hawaiian demeanor and am absolutely convinced that, unless there is justice for Hawaiians, we will all reap the whirlwind.

Rod Ferreira
Kamuela, Hawaii

Hawaiian nation may generate ill will

Will someone please tell me what benefits the state of Hawaii will get if there is a Hawaiian nation within the United States? Silence means no benefits.

I foresee an administrative nightmare within state government. The fight over land, taxes and use of infrastructure will be excruciating. What a legacy our leaders are leaving us.

The Hawaii that I have loved and served wouldn't be shooting herself in the foot -- she would be shooting herself in the heart.

E. Alvey Wright
Kailua

OHA Special

Rice vs. Cayetano arguments

Rice vs. Cayetano decision

Holo I Mua: Sovereignty Roundtable

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Care home inspections should be unannounced

I have learned, to my consternation, that state Health Director Bruce Anderson has now reversed his previously held position -- namely that Adult Residential Care Home annual inspections be "unannounced."

The very purpose of the annual inspection is to observe and assess the routine level of care in order to protect the residents from neglect and abuse. How can this be accomplished if the inspection is announced?

I urge Anderson to specify, in the ARCH Administrative Rules, that annual inspections be unannounced.

Folly Hofer, RN, MPH

GOP, Hemmings turned on Anderson

In primary election coverage, Fred Hemmings said that he ran "a clean campaign on issues" against my husband, Sen. Whitney Anderson. I've wanted to speak out for a long time but, since it was my husband running and not me, I decided not to. However, Hemmings dragged my name into this campaign, and I believe it's time I rebut.

Fred likes to mention the fact that I worked for Bishop Estate, but he is misled on how I came to be employed there. In March 1994 (Whitney wasn't appointed to the Senate until December 1994), I was approached to work for Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. I declined, but was asked to think about it. A few months later, I decided to take the job and was told I would start on Feb. 1, 1995.

In November 1999, after Whitney voted "no" on Attorney General Margery Bronster's reconfirmation, I was told that my job was being eliminated and that I could apply to work in another department of KS/BE. I declined. How Fred used my former association with KS/BE against my husband to imply that Whitney was "a pawn" of former Bishop trustee Henry Peters completely baffles me.

To add insult to injury, I found out from Republicans loyal to Whitney that Fred was going door to door saying that Whitney was a closet Democrat who was controlled by Peters, and that Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle and the party were backing him because he was the "real Republican" in the race.

What a joke! Whitney received a measly $100 check from Henry AFTER the 1996 election, which he has yet to cash.

As far as Fred being the "real Republican" in the race, was it not then-Rep. Hemmings who voted with the majority Democrats some 90 percent of the time when he was in the House? And as far as Lingle is concerned, the Anderson family was Republican long before she was just another hippy on Molokai.

The Hawaii GOP, particularly Hemmings, ought to wake up and smell what they're shoveling.

Hannie H. Anderson
Waimanalo

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