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Hurricane fund must not be given back

After hurricanes like Iniki and Iwa, the only affordable insurance protection against wind-related risks (not simply hurricane protection) in Hawaii was from the Hurricane Relief Fund. It was established by the Legislature after outcries from property owners and their lenders.

Now that wind protection in the standard insurance marketplace is largely available again, everyone from the governor to my next-door neighbor wants to spend the money that the fund has earned over the years.

You don't buy homeowner's insurance then demand your premiums back when your house doesn't burn down, do you? So when you buy wind protection through the Hurricane Relief Fund, why expect the same?

Like any insurance policy, you paid for a promise that, if you needed it, the fund would help rebuild your life after a disaster. If you are still confused, ask the people in Hilo whether the National Flood Insurance Program should refund all of its assets back to taxpayers.

What if this is another terrible hurricane season and insurers once again refuse to insure wind-related risks? Well, if we don't spend the present Hurricane Relief Fund on everything from school playground equipment to my neighbor's new bedroom addition, we will have the advantage of the immediate protection.

Arthur Lessing
A.P. Lessing & Associates
Risk Management Haleiwa

Don't draw conclusions about sub inquiry

I was a cook on the submarine, the USS Goodrich, DDR 831, through part of 1955 and 1956.

One early morning, we were proceeding up the Elbe River on our way to Hamburg, Germany. I was topside towards the stern on the second deck, when we were jolted out of our bell bottoms by a loud noise and an intense shuddering of the entire ship.

The noise and shaking continued as I grabbed the handrails and came around to the port (left) side. I looked forward and saw the back end of a very large ship breaking down our boat davits. Then it was gone and we were thrown forward as we struck what proved to be a sandbar.

Collision was sounded on the alarm and we all went to quarters, where we put on life jackets. As it turned out, we didn't need the life jackets and the ship was towed off the sandbar.

Although the damage above main deck was massive, our watertight integrity was fine. So, we spent a few days in Hamburg, moved to Bremerhaven for a few weeks and then across the Atlantic to spend a few months in Boston for major repairs.

The cause of the collusion was fascinating. We had hit a Dutch freighter while going up the river. The Goodrich hit the freighter, of this there was no mistake, for the freighter had been anchored at that spot for about a week.

Open and shut case? Don't bet on it. Weeks later in Boston, we were told that the inquiry board had decided it was the Dutch freighter's fault. Our beloved captain went on to earn his fourth stripe, which I heard about some years later.

When you are assigning blame for the deaths on the Ehime Maru, keep in mind that the Marine pilot who caused the deaths of 20 people on a ski lift in Italy was found innocent by a U.S. board. I believe the families of the Italians who were killed got to share about $2 million (U.S. dollars).

It will be interesting to see if the Japanese fatalities bring more money to the table or less.

Arnold Van Fossen

Quotables "The primary mission was to demonstrate the prowess of this ship to visitors." Rear Adm. Charles Griffiths WHO DID THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE USS GREENEVILLE AND EHIME MARU Saying the main reason the Greeneville, under the command of Scott Waddle, went out to sea on Feb. 9 was to take 16 civilians for a ride aboard a nuclear sub "It's the end of an incredible officer's career and the unfortunate loss of so many lives." Connie Los HEAD OF THE NAVY LEAGUE'S COUNCIL IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. Who started a defense fund to help pay the legal fees of Cmdr. Waddle

Honolulu University is legitimate school

Please allow me to respond to your Feb. 20 story on the accreditation status and academic standards at Honolulu University (HU).

First, I commend your efforts to report on such a crucial issue. Often, sloppy educational institutions cheat prospective students by providing false information about their standings.

However, there are thousands of institutions where meaningful learning can take place, including HU. With three degrees, a research diploma and other qualifications from state-accredited British Universities, equivalent to regional accreditation in the U.S., I started to look for a non-residential international program via distance learning for a Ph.D.

I contacted several legal and regionally unaccredited institutions. Of these, three stood up to my scrutiny: California Coast University, Southern California University for Professional Studies and Honolulu University. I opted for HU.

Do I regret it now? Not at all! Dr. John Bear of Bear's Guide, the internationally renowned expert on distance learning, lists HU as a legitimate institution. Further, Bears notes: "It is important to remember that lack of accreditation need not mean that a school is either inferior or illegal."

Biri Yaya
London

Ask your dentist for a fluoride supply

The health of a child is determined not by a village or the government but by loving parents. The best way to buy fluoride is through dentists who can buy it in bulk cheaply through a supply catalog.

If the government gets involved by fluoridating the water, it's going to be expensive for everybody through a high user's fee or tax, and only beneficial to 20 percent of the public (namely, children under 16).

Excess fluoride creates fluorosis, brittle bones and can be a poison. Ask the rats. Don't foul up our pure Hawaiian water!

Alwin Shinkawa
Retired Dentist

Taking Bible to Capitol isn't against the law

I would like to respond to certain groups criticizing 15th District Rep. William Stonebraker's fax request that we bring our Bibles when attending our fellowship meeting at the Capitol.

As far as I'm concerned, studying the Bible might provide us with the answers/solutions to many of our legislative problems.

I'm sure that Representative Stonebraker (R) had this in mind, and had no intention of breaking any "separation of church and state" law.

Rep. Lei Ahu Isa
D-27th Dist.

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