Article showed proper use of hurricane fund

Kudos to you for publishing the Gathering Places article by Joe Gomes and Sam Sloan ("Dissolving hurricane fund would violate federal, state constitutions," Star-Bulletin, Jan. 25). It is about time this information was set before Hawaii residents to inform them about the illegality of using the hurricane fund for state projects, as advocated by Gov. Cayetano.

It was wonderful to let the public know who the hurricane fund really belongs to, and who legally has control over the money for a specific, designated use -- for hurricane damage and other needs of Hawaii's population after such storms.

If only this topic also could be covered by the regular newspaper staff, as well as by the radio and television reporters. The more publicity about this, the better. If the state is allowed to usurp a fund that does not belong to it, the people will lose in the end.

Hazel Yamada
Wahiawa

News coverage shows bias against Harris

In your Jan. 16 article "FBI joins Harris campaign probe," University of Hawaii political science professor Yas Kuroda is quoted as saying, "The mere fact that (Harris) is being investigated will have adverse effects regardless of the findings." Of course the investigation into Jeremy Harris' campaign will damage his hopes at being the next governor. This is a no-brainer.

Both daily papers have published article after article trying to make the public believe that Harris has been involved in wrongdoing. They have printed nothing that balances out this negative publicity.

Whatever happened to balanced, objective journalism? It is obvious from reading the papers that you and Bob Watada, the Campaign Spending Commission's executive director, do not like Harris and you will do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't get elected.

I just hope people in the community realize how much integrity Harris has. I also pray that they see through the lies being spread by the Campaign Spending Commission and reinforced by the papers.

Mary Papish
Kailua

[Quotables] "Politics sucks." Jonathan Adler Big Island advocate for medical marijuana, after being rejected by the Green Party of Hawaii as a candidate for governor. Green Co-chairpersons Julie Leialoha and Ira Rohter told Adler in a letter that his "primary goal is self-promotion, rather than the greater good." Adler said he plans to run for governor as a nonpartisan candidate. "I'm not being altogether altruistic." Michael O'Neill Chairman and chief executive officer of Pacific Century Financial Corp., Bank of Hawaii's parent company, on his decision to give up his 2002 salary of $900,000, plus a $600,000 bonus. O'Neill said his intent is to improve the company's market share price, from which he will benefit as a stockholder. About 10 other top executives at Pacific Century have agreed to take 10 percent pay cuts.

Traffic-cam program needs modifications

I want to thank Earl Arakaki for applauding my integrity ("Espero has integrity, even if he is wrong," Star-Bulletin letters, Jan. 25). I appreciate his kind words. However, let me set the record straight, as he was mistaken on some information. I have made the following recommendations to the Department of Transportation and the governor regarding the demonstration traffic enforcement project:

>> Review the existing speed limits and make certain they are not too low;

>> Treat the citation like a parking ticket, not a moving violation, unless the driver is going more than 25 mph faster than the posted speed limit;

>> Do not give citations on a significant downward slope;

>> Consider lowering the state's portion of the fine;

>> Review the vendor's profit margin and make certain excessive profits are not being made;

>> No zero-tolerance policy;

>> See if the program can institute a way to check for cited drivers who are uninsured.

Bills have been introduced to modify the system or to repeal or suspend enforcement. I support modifying the system to make it more driver-friendly. If changes cannot be made, I would be open to suspending the program until concerns could be addressed.

Rep. Willie C. Espero
Vice-Chairman
House Transportation Committee

Parents were shut out of principal selection

In light of recent talk by legislators to overhaul the top-heavy state Department of Education, I'd like to highlight another area where the system needs fixing: the process by which school principals are selected.

A new principal has been selected for Noelani Elementary School. The selection process was conducted in secrecy by DOE bureaucrats, with only token participation by one teacher and one parent allowed. Only questions chosen by the DOE could be asked. The bureaucrats' recommendation went to the district superintendent.

Most of the teachers have not met the new principal and know nothing about his experience, qualifications or plans for Noelani Elementary. Why weren't the major stakeholders -- the teachers, parents and students of Noelani -- substantially involved in the selection process? Because this is the way principals are selected in Hawaii's public schools.

DOE folks are the first to encourage parent participation in schools. But when it comes to things that really matter, parents are shut out.

Richard Wainscoat
Manoa

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Corrections

>> Richard Halloran's Jan. 27 column, "The Rising East," contained a typographical error. The American occupation of Japan ran from 1945 to 1952, not 1962.

>> Some letters to the editor in yesterday morning's Star-Bulletin were duplicated from the day before. The correct letters were published in the evening edition.

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