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State spending priorities are skewed

The new economies require well-educated people. But Hawaii isn't producing them. Our knowledge base is a public school system that ranks lowest of the 50 states in percent of local and state funding for education.

Hawaii's 1999-2000 Teacher Employment Report shows that 38.7 percent are licensed, that is, have been accepted as fully qualified to instruct in the classroom; 57.8 percent are listed as permitted to teach despite incomplete or uncertain qualifications.

So what's being proposed? A costly new medical facility for a university with a failed school of public health, constantly increased tuition rates, declining enrollments, fewer library journals and underpaid faculty.

Also, a new world-class aquarium. An elite state art gallery. Legalized gaming, supposedly for college scholarships which won't help schools but would create hard-to-overcome, serious and costly problems.

Reducing taxes -- especially for those with the biggest tax breaks -- would end our hopes for improved education and a genuinely diversified economy.

Jerome G. Manis

Quotables "Your arrogance in introducing HB 170 is a continuing sign to the public of your self-serving motives." Linda Lingle HAWAII REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRWOMAN Testifying against a bill introduced by Democrats that would prohibit political parties from making independent expenditures in a political race, but continue to allow labor unions to engage in unlimited political activities "It was an honest attempt to address the problems of soft money." Rep. Brian Schatz HOUSE DEMOCRATIC WHIP Explaining the Democratic majority's intent in introducing HB 170, which campaign spending officials say would be unconstitutional. Schatz said the bill will be killed.

Give casino-resort idea a fair hearing

I am neither for nor against gambling. But I believe the Sun International proposal to possibly invest $800 million in a casino-resort, which would generate 5,000-6,000 jobs, should receive a fair hearing in the Legislature.

Sun's commitment to contribute $30-$40 million to a college scholarship fund for students from Hawaii would provide opportunities to those who are financially unable to further their education. In addition, the creation of jobs would benefit not only those who live on Oahu but residents of the entire state.

I urge our lawmakers not to summarily reject Sun's proposal because of personal biases, but to carefully deliberate the pros and cons of the issue.

John Davis
Mountain View, Hawaii

Cite owners for letting dogs on the beach

There is a constant, chronic problem of having dogs running loose on the beach, especially on the Kailua side of the island. This is dangerous for children, as they are the main victims of dog bites.

The folks who let their dogs run loose are just everyday people who normally follow the law. But in this case, they don't, for the simple reason that the law is not being enforced.

People follow the leader. They see other people getting away with it, so they do it, too.

There are usually lifeguards around who see this. In fact, one of the lifeguards at Kailua Beach Park regularly lets his own dogs run loose.

Police are often sitting in the parking lot of Kailua Beach Park and in the Lanikai area. They see dogs running around but never give out citations or do anything about it.

Since the police don't enforce the laws, why should anyone follow them?

Christina Morris
Lanikai

President Bush didn't deserve bashing

I have long been an admirer of David Shapiro's Volcanic Ash column. So I can only wonder about his Feb. 3 diatribe on the new Bush administration. It definitely was not satire.

I did not want George W. Bush for president. I wanted John McCain. However, I think Shapiro has confused President Bush with Pat Robertson, but that comparison is messed up.

The things Shapiro attributed to a man who has been in office for only a few weeks are absurd. He is also getting his religious faiths terribly confused.

The Catholic Church would not take kindly to George Bush Sr. being referred to as Father Superior, even if he were Catholic. Nor would the College of Cardinals look favorably on his suggestion for selecting a president of the United States of America.

I am a very active Republican, a social liberal (that translates into pro-choice, pro-gay rights) and a fiscal conservative (which translates into "do only for me that which I cannot do for myself, especially since you are using my money").

I can only thank whatever God each of us may acknowledge that we do not have Al Gore in the White House and that Bill Clinton is out. George W. will be all right. Give him a chance.

Shirley Hasenyager
Kailua

Everything Hawaiian is being desecrated

As a Hawaiian, I strongly oppose first lady Vicky Cayetano's proposal to turn Washington Place into a museum. This is an insult to all Hawaiians. To change our beloved Queen Liliuokalani's residence from a home into a museum is like relegating Hawaii's history to the past.

Is this the final act of destruction as we move forward into the new millennium of technology and change for Hawaii? I hope not.

You can't rewrite history or pretend Hawaiians don't exist. Very systematically, everything Hawaiian has been destructively altered -- Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and now the threat to Hawaiian Home Lands.

In closing, I respectfully request that the state Legislature seriously consider changing our state name. Hawaii is no longer the Aloha State.

Carolyn Peters
Waianae

U.S attorney in Hawaii must be replaced

I'm writing in response to the Feb. 1 letter by J.M. Wylie, "Keep Alm on as U.S. attorney." I couldn't disagree more, especially with the statement, "Alm has been effective and productive, vigorously bringing many cases to trial that have benefited our state."

Alm's career as U.S. attorney has been one of bullying tactics and taxpayer waste. One only has to consider nearly six months ago when, on Aug. 17, the Secret Service, FBI and local police raided -- with guns drawn -- novelty I.D. shops in Waikiki. Nearly a dozen people were arrested and, incredibly, are now being prosecuted by Alm's office.

Is this how my taxpayer dollar is being used? How many millions of dollars are spent prosecuting these types of cases? Thankfully, this waste will come to an end when President Bush gives the nod to someone who is better qualified to be U.S. attorney than Alm.

Ed Murphy

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