Brainstorm! Challenge

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Akaka bill will divide Hawaii's people

The Star-Bulletin's support of the Akaka bill is naive at best (Editorial, Star-Bulletin, Oct. 12). Recognizing beneficiaries with as little as a single drop of Hawaiian blood will destroy the makeup of our island home, which is often called the melting pot of the world.

For more than 200 years the people of these islands lived in harmony with one another regardless of skin color. The Akaka bill will forever create an atmosphere that fosters discrimination and favoritism based on one's race and ancestry. The authors and supporters of the Akaka bill say it is only meant to save Hawaiians-only programs that are in jeopardy from lawsuits. What they don't say is that they know it is the beginning of efforts to demand even more substantial programs, including their claim to all ceded-lands income to fund a new nation.

Let the Hawaiians-only programs stand on their own merits. If the courts rule them as unconstitutional, then that's what they are. Don't try to circumvent the court system by creating a divided Hawaii.

Phil Norris
Honolulu

Arrogant lawmakers don't care about ethics

Thank you for Rob Perez's "Raising Cane" column on gifts and ethics (Star-Bulletin, Oct 26). In response to questions about gifts state employees received, Sen. Cal Kawamoto said he received gifts not because of his position but because the giver likes him. Laureen K.K. Wong, an attorney for the Division of Consumer Advocacy, responded that the symphony tickets she received would have gone to waste and that this gift was not an attempt to influence her. These are the answers of someone who is lying, someone who is ignorant or someone who is so arrogant that he knows what he has done is wrong but doesn't care and is unconcerned about consequences.

The problem is not that the law requires the official who is offered a gift to interpret whether it is appropriate. The heart of the problem is in the response of Sen. Les Ihara Jr., who said, "If in doubt, don't accept it."

There is no doubt in the minds of gift recipients because in their minds, there is no problem. The concept of "conflict of interest" does not exist, so there is no ethical problem. They don't understand that there might be a conflict of interest in receiving gifts from people they have professional contact with. This makes them susceptible to those who have agendas. And those with agendas are a lot smarter than those they influence.

A greater problem is that arrogance is learned from repeated exposure of questionable behavior without consequences. Officials can be confident they will not be held accountable for their actions. When statements such as the ones by Kawamoto and Wong are made by public officials, a "screw you" attitude is clearly conveyed.

Bob Kern
Honolulu

Seniors use bus more and should pay more

I am writing in support of the Honolulu City Council's decision to raise the bus fares of senior citizens (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 25). Having been to Hawaii twice and ridden on TheBus extensively during those visits, I submit that the bus system in Hawaii, while not perfect, is one of the best in the country. I bought the monthly pass on both occasions and felt that I got more than I bargained for.

I observed during my bus rides that most of the nontourist riders were senior citizens. Since they use the bus extensively and pay meager amounts, even with the new fees, what do they have to complain about?

No doubt there is sort of an endowment effect in losing the "almost free" ($25 for 2 years) privilege of riding on the bus, but consider this: While society has an obligation to support senior citizens, the latter should not be apathetic toward Hawaii's rather frail economy. In the spirit of ohana, everyone should sacrifice a little for the greater good.

Alex Tan
Buffalo, N.Y.

Drinking, driving and denial -- a deadly mix

Defending friends is just another form of denial when tragedy is the result ("Autopsy reveals 2 killed in crash were drunk," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 15). As the saying goes, "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." If you really cared about your friends who drink and drive, how much effort did you make to stop this act? If you tried, and your communication did not get through, then you have to be persistent and talk and talk again and again until the message gets through.

The truth is, many teenagers don't have enough common sense to say no to drinking and driving. You parents who purchase cars for your children and do not enforce strict rules and guidelines are just as guilty for your negligence when they cause accidents. Don't make denials and excuses.

You legislators who don't make laws with more bite just add to this problem and make it difficult for the law-enforcement people.

You who did not do enough to prevent a drinker from driving, for the rest of your life will have to live with your conscience, with your lack of fortitude. You have lost a friend, a relative or other dear person, and the next time you have the opportunity to prevent another from drinking and driving, do not hesitate to act. It is a painful lesson to be learned, but too many people never learn until it is too late.

Tom Sugita
Pearl City

Council shake-up won't help anything

The potential merry-go-round at the City Council is ridiculous ("Council will vote Thursday on reorganization," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 25). Just because there are differences in opinion among City Council members, they are talking of changing the leadership. This is not a very democratic way of doing business. Council members cannot freely and safely express their opinions among one another. Chairman Gary Okino tried to be fair, but due to a personality clash, this situation arose.

We should not let personalities or even politics enter when Council business involves the public or the city. The citizens of the city of Honolulu are the biggest losers.

Joseph W.C. Young
Aina Haina

Younger Bush should heed his father's words

In the book "A World Transformed," written five years ago by George Bush Sr., he explained his reason for not going after Saddam Hussein at the end of the Gulf War. The following are excerpts from his book:

"Trying to eliminate Saddam ... would have incurred incalculable human and political costs. Apprehending him was probably impossible. ... We would have been forced to occupy Baghdad and, in effect, rule Iraq. ...

"Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the United Nations' mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression that we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the United States could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land. It would have been a dramatically different -- and perhaps barren -- outcome. ... We also believed that the United States should not go it alone, that a multilateral approach was better."

If only his son could read.

Arthur Ishimoto
Honolulu

Cameras would add security to lookouts

A tourist was beaten up recently at the Blow Hole while trying to save his belongings and car from thieves. He had to be hospitalized. The Blow Hole is known to be dangerous area for tourists and residents who visit this scenic spot. Almost daily someone's personal belongings or money are stolen from a parked vehicle.

Putting up warning signs may be ineffective. A spotter may be on the lookout (no pun intended) for police. Someone may talk to the visitor, keeping his or her back to the vehicle while his accomplice steals from it.

A surveillance camera should be installed to cover the view of the parking lot. If tampered with, an alarm would be activated.

This surveillance camera would cover only the parking area. This type of security can be utilized at other high-density tourist and local spots such as Makapuu Beach Park, Kailua Beach Park, Diamond Head Lookout and Pali Lookout, among others.

Peter Erdman
Honolulu

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Historical markers? Other cities have permanent markers signifying historic sites or locations. Shouldn't Hawaii be equally accommodating to students and visitors? What should such markers look like in Honolulu? Design one! Remember, markers on walls require the owner's permission, but markers in the sidewalk belong to the city. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, November 13 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750