Inconvenience of bus keeps drivers in cars
Regarding the Aug 21. Star-Bulletin story, "Busy road to work usually taken alone": It is not uncommon for a person living in New York City to purchase his or her first car at age 35. Some New Yorkers drive less than 2,000 miles a year. The buses pass them every few minutes.In contrast, because Oahu's mass transit system is not available with such frequency around the clock, we don't inconvenience ourselves by riding the bus on a daily basis.
Furthermore, even when the city buses are available, the waiting time is unpredictable. Transferring is a hassle, too. And it you live outside of the Honolulu metropolitan area riding the bus requires much more patience and waiting.
Until we can match the convenient service provided in New York, Oahu commuters will keep driving regardless of the cost and inconvenience.
Michael Nomura
Kailua
Season-ticket holders get unwelcome bill
A month ago I received my 2002 University of Hawaii football tickets. After sending my $500, I received a letter stating that unless I pay a $75 "donation" for three seats, I will not have the same three seats that I have had for 25 years. I was told unless I pay the $75 I will be placed under the goal post. If that's not extortion, what is it?I guess they need the extra $75 to help pay for Athletic Director Herman Frazier's salary.
I have had season tickets for these three seats for 25 years. They are not on the 50- 40- 30- 20- or 10-yard line. They're right on the goal line.
I used to fly out of Maui every football season with my wife. We have supported UH football through the good years with Coaches Tomey and Wagner, and even the bad years under Coach Von Appen, and by joining the Koa Anuenue club. Is this the thanks I get?
Hisao Yoshizu
Pukalani, Maui
America's strength comes from unity
Isn't America's strength its unity, not its diversity? For only America defines its nationality in terms of common principles instead of a common bloodline.That allowed immigrants, like all my grandparents, to leave the old country behind and become one with other Americans -- as they could never become, say, Hispanic or German or African or Irish -- and not to cling doggedly to the differences that caused them to flee the homes of their birth.
America is truly a melting pot used to forge new alloys. Alloys merge dissimilar metals, shed their weaknesses, multiply their strengths and create a new metal that is different from any of its parts, and better. The parts may still be recognizable in the alloy, but the alloy is unified and can never be fractured into its original parts.
Isn't one of the most important ages in mankind's history called the "Bronze Age", not the "Copper and Tin Age"?
And isn't "local" just an American melting pot? It belongs to no bloodline, so anyone willing to embrace its tenets can become one with it. Even people whose ancestors hated one another joined to create this unified new "nationality". I am sure it is "local" that is the true source of Hawaii's aloha.
Or would you rather a mosaic with each newborn infant assigned to a little colored box separated by clear borders from other little boxes?
George L. Berish
Religious leaders and workers natural allies
I appreciated yesterday's Star-Bulletin article, "Hotel union and church officials criticize hotel firms."On the mainland, religious leaders have worked alongside unions to jointly fight for the shared values of justice and dignity for all workers. This may be one of the first times a major newspaper clarified that is happening in Hawaii. A number of qualified religious leaders joined hands to support Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 5.
Before living here, I had the privilege of working with Justice for Janitors in California and for a decent wage in Santa Clara County.
As I was quoted in your article, my primary focus will always be to work for economic justice for all laborers, not for a union. However, the membership and leadership of Local 5 are outstanding. I am honored to be in this crucial struggle with them.
Vaughn F. Beckman
Pastor, First Christian Church
Makiki
Strike vote is a tool to move talks forward
The recent strike vote taken by Local 5 members is nothing more than a tool in the negotiation process. There are a lot of opinions floating around about the possibilities of a strike and its negative effects, all of which we do agree with.However, nowadays when American workers are "kicked to the side of the road" more often than not, there comes a time when they must take a stand and say "enough is enough; we won't stand idle and watch!"
This is exactly what was done when the unanimous vote to strike was cast by the members of Local 5.
So let's not get ahead of ourselves, and cry wolf, until the wolf is actually seen; give the process a chance!
Maynard Higgins Jr.
DeSoto has served Kapolei well
I would like to respond to the Aug. 16 letter from Jane Ross regarding John DeSoto entering the state Senate race for the seat now held by Brian Kanno.I agree that Kanno has made a difference for Kapolei: We have a library with no books and schools with no crosswalks. Indeed, that is different.
As a city councilman, DeSoto has represented Kapolei from the beginning. He has gotten the job done right.
As a state senator, I believe DeSoto will get it done right once again.
Mary Martinez
Kapolei
A sign of accidents and lawsuits to come
In light of the Blow Hole mishap, I'm going to walk from one side of South King Street to the other next week on a crosswalk. Even if someone hollers "Stop!" I'll continue and probably get run over by a truck.I have already notified my relatives to sue the city and county, because there are no signs that warn me, "Traffic is coming."
John L. Werrill
The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (150 to 200 words). The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number. How to write us
Letter form: Online form, click here
E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com
Fax: (808) 529-4750
Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813