Fuss about Dobelle seems overblown

University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle can endorse whomever he wants, just like the faculty union can endorse whomever it wants. Union members didn't check with Dobelle before they made their endorsement, and why should they? It's called freedom, and when it comes to an election we all get to choose whomever we want.

People should just calm down and let the new governor-elect and all the people of this state learn how to get along. I would hate to think that Gov.-elect Lingle is going to go back on her promise that she would bring all the people together. I assumed that meant everyone and not just the ones who voted for her or endorsed her. Watching what she does in this situation will instruct us all on how well she will hold up her end of her campaign promises.

Janice Kim

Dobelle endorsement reaction is disturbing

Those who are disparaging University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle sorely need a lesson on collegial governance.

The faculty union does not speak for the university, which is comprised of students, faculty and staff. The university's strategic plan lists the following action strategy: "Facilitate faculty, staff and student participation in collegial governance, including planning, assessment and communication needs."

Dobelle should not be beholden to UHPA or any other labor union or faction of the university. I'm sure he had the university's best interests in mind when he announced his support for Democratic candidate for governor Mazie Hirono. He followed his conscience; remember, the Board of Regents did not choose a lackey to replace Kenneth Mortimer.

Furthermore, we elected a Republican governor, not a fascist regime. The cries for reprisals against Dobelle are simply frightening.

Jerome Nicolas

Lingle's gut reaction was understandable

Bravo for Linda Lingle! Evan Dobelle's reason for endorsing Mazie Hirono wasn't complicated, as he said. It was simple. And "Raising Cane" (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 10) wants to talk stink about Lingle's gut response during a hectic period. Ha!

Jerry Lesperance
Aiea

Some absentee ballots were indeed absent

A Nov. 12 letter to the editor lauds the use of absentee balloting as it lets voters, and in particular senior citizens, take their time in voting. I agree, but only if the agency responsible for mailing the absentee ballots responds to requests for them.

My wife and I had planned a trip to the mainland in October, and I was scheduled for surgery on Nov. 5 -- Election Day -- after our return. Our absentee ballot applications were submitted the first part of October. Upon our return Oct. 24, I searched my mail for the ballots, but had not received them. I submitted more applications the following day in hopes I would receive them before Election Day, as I did not know if I would be able to make it to the polls before entering the hospital. Still no ballots.

Luckily, there was not a long line when my poll opened, so I was able to vote.

I encourage more people to take advantage of the absentee ballot option; however, I suggest that if the ballot is not received within seven days another request be submitted immediately. Also, this procedure needs more oversight.

William G. Burlingame Sr.
Mililani

Gay-straight club impeded by principal

You are certainly correct in your editorial "Young people learn lessons in tolerance" (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 11), that the establishment of a Gay Straight Alliance club at Kalaheo High School is a victory for tolerance and diversity. However, you are incorrect in stating that "it took students more than a year of working out guidelines so that the club fit the model for clubs." In fact, the club fit the "model" for a "public school-chartered club" from the start. The year delay in official recognition was not the fault of the students; it was the fault of the school principal, James Schlosser.

Schlosser originally fought the establishment of the club, and then finally allowed the club but denied it "chartered" status, while this status was granted to almost every other student club at KHS.

As a result of this denial of equal status, the GSA was not permitted to have a faculty adviser, a tax-exempt school bank account or to raise funds on campus for the academic year 2001-02. Other clubs were allowed these and other privileges denied the GSA.

Only after students brought this discriminatory treatment to the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, and the ACLU sent a letter on Aug. 20 demanding equal treatment for the GSA, did Schlosser grant chartered status to the GSA. To blame the delay on the students and to credit the school administration for its tolerance simply misconstrues reality. In fact, this is just another instance where school officials agreed to do the right thing only under threat of litigation.

Brent T. White
Legal Director
ACLU of Hawaii

Maybe prisoners could work the car shows

Didn't we go through this eight years ago when Governor Waihee left office? The state built a $100 million concrete building, which is the Convention Center. That project should have been privatized by the major hotels within Waikiki.

Shouldn't the prison system be privatized by the low-bidding security sector and have them construct the facilities needed to enhance our prison system?

Or we could convert the Convention Center into a prison. We could sell bed space to all the overcrowded prisons. Ala Moana would flourish with the visiting relatives of the inmates. Just a thought.

Billy Dolan Sr.

Local merchants offer service and quality

Anyone remember the old idea of supporting local businesses, the "Buy Hawaii" campaign or the common-sense concept that if you spend your money at a store owned by a local resident, that money stays here in Hawaii?

We should stop shopping at the mainland big-box stores. It is an economic issue and a quality-of-life issue. How many of us have friends and relatives who have to work Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Eve and other holidays because their employers insist on being open 24 hours a day? Haven't you ever wandered into a mega-hardware store and run out screaming, longing for Sheridan's or Oahu Lumber, where people were willing and able to help you out?

If you want personal service (from experienced professionals), quality products (not the cheapest available from Bangladesh), and the dream of running your own little store (not working for minimum wage at 2 a.m. at a giant one), shop at that little store on the side of the road. Keep it in business. And talk story for five minutes with the owner behind the cash register.

Springer Fyrberg

Toll would unfairly tax West Oahu commuters

Regarding Linda Lingle's toll-road proposal: Forget that it would be an unfair tax on the residents of West Oahu. Explain to me how it will ease traffic to force residents to slow down to pay an unfair tax for the privilege of using an elevated roadway that would probably take 30 years to build.

Dave Endo
Waipahu

Raising taxes isn't the answer to city debt

The possibility of the city increasing property taxes or fees (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 14) reminds me of an event that took place in the 1700s. It was a protest by American colonists -- the Boston Tea Party and "no taxation without representation." This event occurred because taxes were raised and enforced, though earnings still stayed down. The government wanted to raise taxes because after the French and Indian War, Britain was in debt and the only way to get out of it was to raise taxes.

Something similar is happening here in Hawaii. We are in debt, and taxes are about to be raised. But there are other ways out. I just don't think raising taxes is right because it will put a bigger burden on residents.

Ashley Napoleon-Kawelo
Waianae

Non-Hawaiian reader glad to see column

Even though I live in Sacramento, I keep track of what's happening in my future home by reading the Star-Bulletin online every day. (I also am the book reviewer for The Hawaii Island Journal, which is published on the Big Island).

Even though I don't read Hawaiian, I am absolutely delighted to see your Sunday Hawaiian-language column, "Kauakukalahale." It's exactly the right thing to do. Mahalo nui for helping promote the use of one of the most beautiful languages on our planet.

Bill Taylor

---

How to write us 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. 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