Akiba left too many questions unanswered
Lorraine H. Akiba, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, wrote in her article, "Voters are the key to renewing the health of our democracy" (Price of Paradise, Star-Bulletin, Aug. 18): "Support the Office of Information Practices. Give it the resources to provide the public ready access to public documents. Citizens, advocacy groups and reporters shouldn't have to climb mountains to get public documents and raise questions about official accountability."I wish Akiba would explain why OIP's budget has been continually cut by our Democrat Legislature during the past 10 years (approximately 62 percent). Why has prying public documents from state agencies and PEG Access centers become more difficult under the Democrats' watchful eye? And will many state Web sites continue to have outdated links to unavailable information?
Akiba also stated: "Throughout history, Democrats have fought for accountability in business and government. We have demanded stricter regulation of industries such as tobacco, energy and telecommunications, fighting Republicans for every victory." How has the Democrats' "stricter regulation" worked with telecommunications in Hawaii regarding cable franchise fees while AOL Time Warner has been building its statewide cable monopoly? Does the Democratic governor's appointed Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs director's redefining of "gross revenues" truly reflect "stricter regulation of industries"? How can excluding potentially larger and larger revenue streams like Home Shopping and advertising from revenue tallies and the resulting 11 percent reduction in educational opportunity for underserved citizens be considered in the public's best interest?
That sounds like less "accountability in business" for more "corporate profit" with no "accountability in government" to me!
Jeff Garland
Kaneohe
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Educating children a task for everyone
For the "No Child Left Behind" act to succeed in Hawaii and elsewhere, we all need to be involved as much as possible. Educators, students and parents aren't the only ones; former principals, teachers, alumni, parents of alumni and all interested parties should extend a helping hand.Because the future of Hawaii is at stake, we are all in this together. We are wishing for the best for our schools.
Roy E. Shigemura
Keep free parking at Ala Wai Harbor
As chairman of the Oahu chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, I served on the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Ala Wai Privatization Adhoc Committee. The intent of the committee was to recommend guidelines and constraints that would be a part of the Request for Proposal used by the state to develop plans for improving the Ala Wai Harbor. My primary objective was to make certain that keeping the free public parking would be one of the committee's recommendations.I was happy with the final committee report in that it recommended that a minimum of 200 free parking slots in or close to the heliport area would be maintained and that 50 more slots would be available in the Honolulu Yacht Club parking area when special yachting events were not involved.
This recommendation would maintain the same free parking as we have today.
Peter V.Z. Cole
Haleiwa
Candidates should be specific about plans
Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, in one of her television advertisements, wants us to know that she has a public school education but does not take credit for the sorry conditions with the public school system.She wants our vote so that she can take care of the "kids." A "kid" is a baby goat. A young human is a child.
The candidates for governor and lieutenant governor should clearly outline to the voters just how they plan to get public school education out of the barnyard and how to keep the barn door closed on spending until the mess is cleaned up.
Dunning Sewell
Aiona off base on business with China
I heard Duke Aiona, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, on a recent radio program. He disappointed me with his comments that local Chinese business leaders in Hawaii had told him it will be virtually impossible for Hawaii to develop sustainable economic relations with China and that he was sure any money made in such a relationship would immediately be siphoned back to China.Companies around the world vie for business with China. Aiona's remarks show how little he understands of the opportunities that exist in Asia and China.
As the past president of the Hawaii Chinese Tourism Association and special assistant to Mayor Harris on Economic Development, I've heard many local Chinese business leaders lament lost opportunities because our government doesn't know how to establish business ties with Asia.
I fear our economic future is doomed if Aiona's business ideas are adopted by our next government. This is why I support Dalton Tanonaka for lieutenant governor. Tanonaka wants to use his business knowledge and contacts to establish Hawaii asa true commercial link between Asia and the United States.
Carol Tsai
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