Brainstorm! Challenge

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Expert should know about Hawaiian plurals

If Ken Conklin (Letters, May 28) is such an expert on the Hawaiian language, how come he actually used the word "haoles"? There is no "s" for plural in Hawaiian. One is "ka" and two or more is "na." Plenty lei is still lei. Or na lei. Plenty haole is still haole or na haole (or na pake or na kepani or na kanaka, etc.).

Thank you from one local haole from Kauai.

Libby Orrick Antone
Honolulu

Health insurance rates reflect cost of care

Upset about recent increases in health plan rates, Frank Wandell ("Health insurance rates far outpace inflation," Letters, June 2) referred to Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser as "massive companies" that "abuse their positions of dominance." In short, he accused both nonprofit health plans of "predatory pricing" and using state health insurance laws to commit "theft." These words are very strong but also very wrong.

Instead of conspiracies, increases in rates reflect increases in real health care costs. Our collective consumption of physician, hospital and pharmacy benefits continues to grow, and that puts upward pressure on health care costs. Unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets and more) often lead to chronic diseases. And treating members with these diseases puts even more pressure on health care costs. Other cost factors include the proliferation of expensive medical technology, new high-cost wonder drugs and more.

Despite all of these factors, Hawaii's health plans have been able to keep average rate increases below the national average. In fact, at the present time, not a single health plan in the state operates as a for-profit organization. For HMSA members, that means approximately 93 percent of all dues dollars collected goes directly to pay for our members' medical care.

Understanding the critical drivers of health care costs does not ease the burden on our pocketbooks. It does, however, help us stay focused on the real challenges we all face in health care and recognize real solutions when proposed.

Cliff K. Cisco
Senior vice president
HMSA

Gabbard is not best choice for Congress

Hawaii's GOP needs to stop toying with the idea of putting Mike Gabbard up against Ed Case for U.S. Congress. Critics usually call Gabbard a one-issue candidate, but this is only partly true. Foremost, Gabbard is a political opportunist and shameless self-promoter, who desperately seeks to extend his 15 seconds of fame by beating the already dead horse of gay marriage. He is not interested in serving the people of Hawaii. He is interested only in showcasing himself.

To win the 2nd Congressional District, the Republicans need to put forth a candidate who will serve with the same distinction and honor as Patsy Mink. Come on, Republicans! If you can't come up with a better candidate against Ed Case than Mike Gabbard, then you deserve to lose.

Anthony Dalton
Long Beach, Calif.
Formerly of Honolulu

Now it's Hilo ... next stop Guantanamo?

Recently I treated myself to a $1 movie in Hilo town. I am a middle-age woman whose sole income is Social Security Disability. I have no driveable auto (it was vandalized beyond repair). Because of this, I do whatever shopping I can manage to carry in my backpack. I have been patronizing this theater complex for almost one year. This day in question after enjoying a movie, I noticed it was still early and decided to catch a second movie. I bought a ticket and proceeded to enter. Without provocation, the manager stopped me for the second time in a month and told me that I cannot enter the theater with my backpack.

The first time, I had complied, albeit not without outrage at this disrespectful request. This time when he stopped me, I was livid and called the police. Two officers arrived and heard my complaint. One of the officers suggested that perhaps the manager was being cautious since 9/11. Others had entered with large satchels, backpacks and diaper bags. At what point do w stop invading people's privacy under the guise of security from terrorism?

At my request, the officers accompanied me back into the theater where we met with the manager in question. I wanted this search of my backpack conducted in the officers' presence. When they saw that there was nothing illegal or untoward, they asked the manager why he wanted my backpack searched. He stated that the previous week, some man went berserk wielding a machete. I remarked that someone who does that usually looks like someone who would wield a machete.

I expected the police officers to tell the manager that, in the future, unless there is probable cause to stop and search, aunty should not be harassed. To my dismay, they did not.

Where do we draw the line between precautionary actions and harassment?

Annette Stanger
Hilo, Hawaii

Mufi dares to ask the tough questions

I appreciate Mufi Hannemann introducing himself to people. And I appreciate the fact that he asked some hard questions when they were needed at the City Council. I like that he was brave when others were not.

I will probably vote for Mufi in the coming election.

Mark Terry
Honolulu

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] The ponds at the state Capitol are full of icky green stuff. What, besides holding an election, can we do to get rid of all that scum at the Big Square Building? Or should we just replace the ponds with something else? Tell us what you think, whether you know of a way to clean the ponds or if you'd rather see a remodel of the Capitol grounds. Anything would be an improvement. Send your ideas by June 16 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or by mail: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Or by fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750