Let's wish good health to new governor

As we are celebrated Thanksgiving for all the blessings and good things we enjoy in our great country, Hawaii residents can also give thanks that there was no malignancy found in the biopsy performed by her doctors for Gov. Linda Lingle.

I am a Democrat and voted for her opponent, but Lingle was victorious. She won a well-deserved, hard-fought battle, and is in office as our new governor.

Let's wish her well, show our aloha spirit and give her all our backing.

Tetsuji Ono

Lingle should follow up on Hawaii Diet idea

I agree with Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal to use Dr. Terry Shintani's diet for convicts. It would be a wise and logical choice. For those who need information, read Shintani's books, "The Hawaii Diet" and "The Good Carbohydrate Revolution."

As for location of a new prison, I suggest Kahoolawe island. Out of deep respect for Hawaiians, I feel all could benefit.

Martin Halsey Grubb

Airlines should have added holiday flights

Well, it is apparent that neither of our island carriers, Aloha or Hawaiian, give a dang about those of us who live and work on the neighbor islands. Neither airline added flights to and from the Big Island for Thanksgiving this year.

My family from Oahu tried to book a flight a month before Thanksgiving and found flights sold out with no hope for additional flights. Guess they're all too busy flying to Burbank or Vancouver to care about the interisland needs. We had quite a few cancellations for the rooms at the lodge where I work this Thanksgiving because people couldn't get transportation to and from the Big Island. I wonder how many others got their Thanksgiving plans messed up by Aloha or Hawaiian.

Lorna Larsen-Jeyte
Volcano, Hawaii

P.E. doesn't get deserved respect

With the possibility of physical education requirements being reduced, it is heartwarming that a Board of Education member is in favor of keeping it alive. However, I become nervous when there is the slightest possibility that a reduction in physical education could be a sure thing.

I hope the reason is not due to the past experiences of a few. If that is so, then we are being unfairly penalized. True, the "old caveman" days produced an abundance of unqualified P.E. teachers, but fortunately those days are almost a memory. We live in the new P.E. age. Students nowadays are using pedometers, heart-rate monitors, fitness grams, climbing panels and equipment that is being developed at such a lightning rate we can hardly keep up. It is a whole new, exciting ball game.

Rather than reduce physical education, it should be increased to include kindergarten through 12th grade. Yet, we are being told that trying to fit in P.E. is "always a problem." Exactly what is the problem?

The key to the issue is balancing all subjects. Physical education is education, yet its importance is not respected. It is a priority and should be treated as such.

Marsie Mo'o
Physical educator
Kahuku High and Intermediate School

It's easy to screen unwanted calls

I was very amused by the article "Graphically speaking: Instead of gritting your teeth," in the Nov. 25 Star-Bulletin.

There is a very simple and rather inexpensive solution to this problem. All one has to do is to buy a digital answering machine. There is nothing that the telephone company or telemarketers can do about it! All of our telephone calls are screened. We do not answer the telephone, until the caller identifies him/herself.

Most telemarketers hang up when they hear, "please leave your number." The few who do not can be quickly deleted at our leisure.

When we are napping or practicing musical instruments, the volume of the machines is turned off. One telephone receiver has an off/on switch that can be used appropriately. The other is simply unplugged.

Of course, the answering machines are used, as intended, for messages from friends, doctors, repair shops etc.

Ralph Heidenreich

Thanks, Hawaii for 22 years of support

I wish to thank all of my supporters and those who voted for me in the governor's race, as well as the many people who encouraged me to run for Congress. I am honored to have had the support of so many hard-working, dedicated people and I deeply appreciate your trust in me.

Although I have decided against running for Congress at this time, as I have said before, public service is my life. I have been fortunate to serve in the state House and as lieutenant governor for the past 22 years, with the support of my husband, my family, my supporters and the people of Hawaii.

As we approach this holiday season, I urge all of the candidates and our elected officials to continue to work together for Hawaii's future. I intend to keep working in public service, whether it be elective office, special projects, or volunteer efforts. It is time to move forward with confidence and hope for the Hawaii we all love.

Mazie Hirono

Can Americans trust official regulators?

Regarding "WorldCom and SEC reach and settlement" (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 27): The report notes that "WorldCom has admitted misstating more than $9 billion in expenses and has been negotiating with the Securities and Exchange Commission for months." Fraud of $9,000 by an individual would be prosecuted, not negotiated.

The Star-Bulletin had two very interesting reports on Nov. 9. The story "SEC says most reports flawed" noted that "a 'substantial majority' of Fortune 500 companies' financial statements reviewed by the Securities and Exchange Commission have raised questions."

In another story, former SEC head Harvey Pitt told a group of 300 applauding executives of securities firms that "Honesty, not regulation, the key to investor trust."

He didn't mention the reason for his resignation -- his dishonesty in hiding bad reports about his choice as head of a new oversight board.

Other regulatory justice agencies such as the FAA, FDA and EPA also are responsible for oversight of large corporations. While researchers have documented their repeated law violations, regulatory penalties are minor.

Are Hawaii's regulatory agencies as indifferent to law violations?

Jerome Manis

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