Gabbard concerned with other issues, too

Robert Ristelhueber is wrong to describe Mike Gabbard as a one-issue candidate for Congress (Letters, April 18).

It is true, Gabbard is against homosexual marriage as are many people in America, but he is also against raising taxes and any legislation that may hurt families.

Gabbard is concerned about judicial activism gone wild. Allowing liberal judges to legislate from the bench was never intended by the U.S. Constitution and the separation of powers is now in jeopardy.

Gabbard will fight to keep the voice of the people loud and clear whether it be before the state Legislature or Congress. He is the type of man I want to represent me in Washington.

Ramon (Kauhi) Garza
Lawai, Kauai

Hawaii harbors need to be privatized now

In Saturday's Water Ways column (Star-Bulletin, May 1), Ray Pendleton challenges the reader to compare Hawaii's small boat harbors to a privately managed marina. His previous columns have compared our harbors to private marinas on the mainland and in Mexico. Why doesn't he write about a private marina with a tropical, metropolitan, ocean-edge location that has abandoned 117 slips while maintaining a waiting list of 600 boaters?

The state-managed harbors need $200 million to clear a maintenance backlog while newspaper headlines scream for more funding in education, police and teacher pay raises, drug programs, highway expansion and sewer improvements.

The state does not have $200 million to fix the harbors, nor can slip fees support such an amount. As Pendleton suggests, engine repair shops, ship's stores, restaurants, dry-storage, brokerages, detailers and others will support the operation of a well-managed private marina complex.

Frustrated with the state harbors, inspired by Pendleton's columns and tired of grumbling on the docks, some of us have created www.hawaiiboaters.org as a grassroots organization advocating privatization of the state harbors.

State-managed Ala Wai harbor -- tropical, metropolitan, ocean rim -- has abandoned 117 slips, has a 600-boat waiting list and has not scheduled customer appreciation days. Is this how private management would operate? Convert this dysfunctional liability into a jewel that creates jobs, increases tax revenue and supports boating.

Dennis K. Biby
Founder
www.HawaiiBoaters.org

City Bank's hold-out was all about money

Is anyone as upset as I am about the great shibai that pulled the wool over the eyes of Hawaii residents? I speak of the announcement of the merger of City Bank with Central Pacific Bank (Star-Bulletin, April 24).

For the past year, we have witnessed an aggressive takeover campaign by Central Pacific and an equally aggressive reluctance to accept the merger by City Bank. City Bank spent millions of dollars arguing and advertising that this was not the "local" way to conduct business, that people who work there would lose their jobs upon any merger and on and on.

It was a magnificent public relations snow job and we bought it, hook, line and sinker. So did the media that wrote about the potential job losses, about the local way of doing business and negatively about the mainlanders who wanted to buy City Bank. The City Bank president and Board of Directors couldn't have asked for a more fortuitous "sixth man" on their side.

How does one go from "over my dead body" a year ago to "Today's announcement ushers in a new and exciting chapter for both of our banks, which share a common history and heritage"?

Ugh. What a shibai. And, of course, they'll also tell you that people won't lose their jobs, and that the mainlanders from Central Pacific Bank have shown that they understand our local culture. It's enough to make one sick.

Don Rochon
Honolulu

Kudos to those who care for our keiki

On May 7, the nation will celebrate Provider Appreciation Day, a tribute to the tireless efforts of people who care for children of working parents.

In Hawaii, the high cost of living drives up the number of dual-income families so many parents rely on child-care providers to take on the critical role for children.

PATCH, Hawaii's statewide child-care resource and referral agency, salutes their dedication to the quality care that helps to shape the lives of our youngsters.

I encourage you to take this opportunity to acknowledge the providers in your community. Chances are you have benefited from their contributions at some point in your life, as a parent or employer.

I encourage anyone who enjoys children and would like the opportunity to work from home and be your own boss to consider this worthy career. You can call PATCH at 839-1988 to find out more information.

Sherri Aoyama
President, Board of Directors
PATCH

Leaving the WAC a tough decision

Should the University of Hawaii leave the Western Athletic Conference? It's a difficult decision. Does Hawaii leave an already competitive league that produces hard-earned winning records, bowl games and NFL players or does UH choose a league with more powerhouses that may adversely affect the Hawaii program?

As the UH struggles to win a bid to its own bowl game and fill the seats of Aloha Stadium, how does removing old rivalries, possibly increasing road-game travel costs along with new league registration fees, and paying league exit fees fit into the equation, especially when the program is not even close to a break-even point annually?

It's risky to think that new opponents will generate excitement and return UH fans to the stadium, especially if ticket prices are raised.

Through the last five years attendance has been on a steady decline. With pay-per-view broadcast, we can expect fewer people at the stadium. Without UH fans ready and willing to shoulder additional cost it may be a struggle both on and off the field.

As an alumni, I will always be there for my team, but let's be realistic. The real power of UH football is found unconditionally in the stands.

Whatever the decision, please don't make going to the games to support the team we love more expensive.

Raymond Feliciano
Mililani