New ship symbolizes U.S.-Japan healing

I was delighted to see your front page story chronicling the arrival of the new Ehime Maru replacement ship to Honolulu. Such an event is indeed a beautiful gesture to help bring closure to the tragic accidental loss of lives and the sinking of the original Ehime Maru in 2001. I believe this speaks well of the wisdom of both nations, Japan and the United States, in quickly resolving their differences over this shared tragedy, while maintaining their strong alliances in dealing with the problems in the Far East.

With al-Qaida cells active in the Philippines, Indonesia and elsewhere, along with the nuclear saber-rattling by North Korea, the Japan-U.S. alliance is ever more critical to maintaining peace and stability in this region of the world.

Terumi Kanegawa
Wahiawa

How can governor say she's pro-choice?

Female rape victims have just been violated by "the system" yet again. This time it was not a faceless bureaucrat, but none other than Hawaii's first female governor, Linda Lingle. The instrument she used to assault them with is her vetoing power that she brought to bear over Senate Bill 658, requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraceptives for women being treated for sexual assault.

Lingle claimed during the 1998 and 2002 campaigns to be pro-choice, but when push came to shove she has shown that it was just an act. I guess she was willing to tell us almost anything to get elected governor.

This time it is the rape victims who suffer so Lingle can appease her funders. One can only guess who will have to suffer next time to help fill her campaign coffers.

So much for a "New Beginning," it looks like it is lies as usual at the Capitol.

Michael Golojuch Jr.

State worker strike would devastate islands

With the stroke of a pen, Governor Lingle has set Hawaii on a course of frightening consequences. By vetoing the binding arbitration bill, she is driving the state and the Hawaii Government Employees Association's 25,000 public employees toward a showdown and a devastating statewide strike.

Most legislators, including several Republicans, understand just how critical binding arbitration is to Hawaii's fortune and future. Not even the governor can dispute that an HGEA strike would affect:

>> Education. Public schools and libraries would close. Without record processing, high school and university seniors would not graduate on time. Important university research projects would be set back.

>> Public Safety. Emergency 911 calls would go unanswered. Beaches would lack lifeguards. Food, produce and restaurants would not be inspected. Air and water purity would not be tested.

>> Courts. Trials and hearings would be canceled. Drivers would not get their driving record abstracts for insurance purposes. Deputy sheriffs would not secure our courts.

>> Construction. Without building permits, new construction jobs would not start. Ongoing jobs would stop without building, electrical and plumbing code inspections.

>> Economy. Homebuyers would not close their mortgages. Government vendors would not be paid for their services and products. Retail stores would lose customers from 25,000 striking workers and their family members.

>> Tourism. Images of picket lines at every airport, harbor and government office building, plus the absence of public health and safety services, would scare off tourists and conventioneers.

Hawaii's new economy cannot afford a public employee strike. Neither can the many who depend on government services and programs in their daily lives -- people who need welfare or unemployment checks, seniors requiring care or assistance, troubled teens seeking guidance or training and enterprising men and women trying to develop their own businesses.

HGEA members protect and enhance people's lives as much as the police officers, fire fighters, registered professional nurses and correctional officers who already can settle their contracts through negotiations. We are all frontline defenders of Hawaii's people.

In the aftermath of our 1994 strike, the Legislature mandated arbitration for us to acknowledge HGEA's critical role in protecting and serving the public. Let us not return to 1994!

Russell K. Okata
Executive Director
Hawaii Government Employees Association

Regular working folks oppose gay marriage

Your June 20 editorial supporting same-sex marriage was absurd. I can assure you that regular working folks do not, by and large, share your opinions. Your views typify the stereotype of the intellectual liberal elite.

Bob McDermott

Same-sex marriage isn't in common good

How sad to read the Star-Bulletin's June 20 editorial arguing that Canada's ruling in favor of same-sex marriage will not threaten the institution of marriage. It's now clear the Star-Bulletin takes the side of pro-homosexual groups.

These groups must resort to the demonization of their opponents, and use intimidation tactics to shut up all those who dare oppose their agenda of "confirming vice as virtue" under force of law.

Just where does the promotion of aberrant behavior as a civil right end? The entire premise is ludicrous, as anarchy is the inevitable result. Good states are classically defined by their promotion of societal common good as referenced in Aristotle's "Politics." How can the legitimization of behavior that cannot be described in mixed company be considered "tending toward the common good"?

There have been genetic arguments made for alcoholism, promiscuity and serial killing. Certainly, no one would argue for the acceptability of such ruinous behavior just because it's "in our genes."

Therefore, even if there were a "gay" gene, does that make homosexuality's aberrant behavior any less so?

Homosexual advocates need to look in the mirror before accusing anyone of being on the fringe.

Andre Lemond

Hilo crackers revive long ago memories

I am so saddened to hear about the unexpected "passing" of the Hilo Macaroni Factory ("'Saloon pilot' company closing," Star-Bulletin, June 19).

I fondly remember eating the ono-licious crackers. Spending summers with my grandmother in Hilo during the '70s, we would snack away on the "Hilo Cremes" with all kinds of toppings.

The sugar, milk and coffee variation is a well-known staple, but my favorite was eating them with Velveeta Cheese spread! Not great for the waistline, but Hilo Macaroni Factory products would never go to waste! The crackers and the company will be sorely missed.

Monica Bacon
Kailua