Election volunteers work for democracy

After Sept. 11, did you put up an American flag? Did you want to "stick it" to our enemies? Do you want to show the world what's great about democracy? Good. This is your chance.

Be warned: Many Americans have refused to take on this job. The hours are long; the pay is lousy. But "evil doers" fear this more than U.S. bombs.

In Saudi Arabia, women are forbidden to do this job. People in Afghanistan have just begun to experience it in limited ways. People in South Africa struggled for years to do this. When the time came, they stood in line in all weather for days to participate. People in the Balkans dodged bullets to do it. Millions of people worldwide still are not allowed to do it.

What is it? Work and vote in an election.

Women and men in Hawaii have the right and opportunity to be election officials. Precinct workers ensure that elections are open and honest, that the voting experience is prideful and pleasant. You'll be rewarded and uplifted; go home tired, but fulfilled. American democracy works because of you.

Do something! Call the Office of Elections, and say you want to be a precinct worker: 453-8683 or www.state.hi.us/elections. Raise your hand on Sept. 21 and Nov. 5 and promise to defend the constitutions of the United States of America and the state of Hawaii. See if you don't get chicken skin.

Anita Manning
Waipahu

Justice means little to elected officials

The Hawaii Penal Code lists crimes in three categories: petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor and felony. The code also has directives on classes of felonies, such as Class A, B, or C.

In each of these classes is an explanation for determining certain factors: state of mind, weapons used, injuries and monetary issues.

With a prescribed sentence for every criminal offense, why are the scales of justice so erratic in Hawaii? Apparently, money, political affiliation and powerful allies can affect the type of sentence you receive.

Some of our most trusted officials have fallen from their pedestals: Bishop Estate trustees, political leaders and City Council members. Many of these individuals have been investigated for some form of criminal act, been arrested and some sent to prison.

Michael Kahapea, a city employee, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on numerous criminal charges for his involvement in the Ewa Villages fraud case. This was a nonviolent case involving no weapons, injuries or extortion. I don't condone what Kahapea did, but the time should fit the crime.

Meanwhile, the elected officials committed felonies and improved their financial status, yet none will spend more than four years in prison. Justice must have been blind when Kahapea was sentenced.

I guess being an elected official has its perks. Do you think I have time to submit my candidacy papers?

Jimmy Lewis

Governor was right to veto retrofit grants

Last month, Governor Cayetano vetoed the Legislature's hurricane retrofit grant program (SB706 ). This was a good decision because these grants were to be funded with taxpayer dollars.

There must be at least 200,000 single-family homes in Hawaii. If 30 percent needed hurricane retrofits, this would mean 60,000 homes. If the state spent $1,000 per home, the total costs would be $60 million dollars.

Can we, as taxpayers, afford to pursue this well-intentioned program? Admittedly, the Legislature capped the funding for the program at $6 million dollars, but this didn't make much sense either because it suggests that 90 percent of the people who might need retrofits couldn't get them, even though their tax dollars went to pay for it.

Common sense needed to be applied and the governor did that.

Maxine Shea

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