Vicky Cayetano's plan would help all of us

I enjoy reading Charles Memminger's column and don't often disagree with him, but this time he blew it (Honolulu Lite, Dec. 16). He wrote, "The governor's wife wants to force all of us to pay a new $120-a-year tax to help the aging needy." Charley, you are already paying $200 per year through taxes for someone else's care -- the aging needy who receive Medicaid.

I have been involved for the past 19 years with various community organizations to find a way for the rest of us -- those not at poverty level -- to be able to afford long-term care, stay at home as long as possible and not need a welfare program like Medicaid. The Executive Office on Aging, with the help of a task force organized by Vicky Cayetano, is developing such a program.

Only those above poverty level would be eligible. The "aging needy" would continue to receive Medicaid. If this program is approved by the Legislature, fewer people will need Medicaid. This would save the state bunches of money.

Cheers to Cayetano for having the courage and clout to help develop such a plan.

Laura G. Manis
Coalition for Affordable Long Term Care
Kokua Council

First lady should get elected first

I am writing about first lady Vicky Cayetano's proposal that the citizenry be required to pony up to the bar and pay every month to "help" certain members of our society who are in physical need. While I am not against helping differently abled, indigent or elderly people, I do have to take a stand against proposals made by those for whom we, the people, didn't vote.

Who gave Cayetano the right to attempt to make government policy? If our first lady wishes to make policy affecting hard-working people who are struggling enough as it is since Sept. 11, let her run for office and return to the people that which is their due -- the right to vote her down and tell her what we think of her ill-conceived notions.

Michael Jones
Pearl City

[Quotables] "He was the ultimate social worker. He knew that children needed help during those very early years." Beadie Dawson Friend of Myron "Pinky" Thompson, who died Tuesday at age 77. As a Bishop Estate trustee, Thompson was instrumental in developing early education programs and improving the Kamehameha Schools outreach programs in the Department of Education and the community. He also created a statewide health care system for Hawaiians and helped start Alu Like, Inc., to obtain federal funding for Hawaiians in job training, health, housing, education and native rights. "People are saying 'Merry Christmas' and stuff, but it doesn't feel like Christmas out there." Patrick Shea New York City emergency service police officer, on the Christmas Day recovery effort at the site of the World Trade Center. Workers volunteered to search through the holiday for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They found the remains of several victims.

Hybrid cars available for isle drivers

I have two corrections to Tom Sebas' letter of Dec. 15 concerning hybrid cars. While he is correct that there is no waiting list to purchase a Toyota Prius in Hawaii, the reason has nothing to do with lack of promotion. Hawaii Toyota dealerships operate under the international arm of Toyota, as opposed to U.S. domestic.

Hawaii dealers are free to order and stock inventory, whereas their mainland counterparts are not (the supply is tightly controlled). This marketing quirk affords Hawaii drivers the unusual opportunity to drive a Prius home today. The Honda Insight is available on lots both here and on the mainland.

Sebas says that President Bush is doing nothing to promote hybrid cars. Actually, the energy plan legislation making its way through Congress enhances tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically includes hybrids. Of course, when this will become law is anyone's guess.

My 2001 Prius has delivered 8,000 trouble-free miles. It is a pleasurable and appropriate car for Hawaii.

Dan Davids
Kaneohe

Honolulu's airport is better than the rest

My work leads to constant travel. I've seen airports from Kathmandu to Riyadh, Frankfurt to Detroit. At a time when the difficulties of travel are a daily topic of conversation, it needs to be noted that Honolulu International really does function better than any place I've been. Check-in goes smoothly; luggage comes off like clockwork; security procedures are efficient but not onerous.

Above all else, no place can compare with our smiles and aloha. It's not just tourist hype -- we really do lead the world.

Holiday wishes to a superb cast of supporting actors.

Tom Marks
Mililani

Hardware store shows Christmas spirit

My outdoor Christmas tree would not light up this year. In frustration I took it back to Hawaii Hardware to see if I could get help. The guys at the store worked on the tree for three days and now here I am with my tree all lit, thanks to their Christmas spirit. My mahalo goes to everyone who participated in getting my tree ready for decorating the outside of my house.

Mahalo nui loa and Merry Christmas to all.

Judith Breitwieser
Kailua

OCCC frees acquitted prisoners quickly

The Department of Public Safety believes that people who have been acquitted of criminal charges should be released in a timely manner ("ACLU suit targets late jail releases," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 11). We are committed to a release system with reasonable constraints that ensures accuracy and public safety.

The release process is clear. We release people who have been acquitted when we receive a legal document such as a written court order. After we receive the court order, we get people out of our system as quickly as possible. We don't want to keep anyone in our system longer then we need to.

The staff at the Oahu Community Correctional Center does a great job with a legal process that is precise and complex.

Ted Sakai
Director
Dept. of Public Safety

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