---

For a fast get-a-way, pre-arrange your taxi

A solution to the taxi problems at the Honolulu Airport is only a phone call away.

It is apparent that the state and the present contractor are not doing much to remedy this problem, however there is a solution to having travelers waiting in long lines.

Several companies offer taxi service by pre-arranged appointment. You call ahead and schedule a pick-up. They check on the flight and have a driver waiting for you when the plane arrives; you pick up your luggage, call and tell them you are ready to go and then are directed to where to meet the taxi. If more travelers did this and the state saw how much business it was losing, it might be forced to find a solution.

Mayor's race is choice between East and West

I think you are wrong ("Bainum can do well without Fasi's endorsement," Editorial, Sept. 29). Frank Fasi's endorsement made Mufi Hannemann catch up or even pass Duke Bainum. Fasi's support comes from the Leeward area and consists mostly of loyal old timers who fit the profile of those who support Mufi. Your comments sound like wishful thinking. The coming election is East vs. West.

Fasi's long service is appreciated

Regarding the story, "Fasi declares retirement as he backs Hannemann," (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 28):

I want to thank Mayor Fasi for his many years of service to the people of Honolulu. Regardless of how one feels about his politics, it takes great courage and a real commitment to dedicate one's life to public office. He has left an imprint in Hawaii politics that will be remembered for years to come. In my own campaign for mayor, I believe I am the candidate who best represents change and independence from past administrations. Still, I tip my hat to a man who for many will always be "Mr. Mayor."

Inaccurate voter rolls make turnout seem low

Every election year we hear complaints about Hawaii's abysmal 40 percent voter turnout, and voters are chastised for their laziness and lack of involvement. Certainly this is true to a certain extent. But has anyone considered that a significant part of the problem is the failure of election officials to keep registration rolls current?

I have four children who left Hawaii years ago to attend college and pursue careers -- one since 1990. They have voted wherever they have gone and have not requested absentee ballots.

Yet each election year at the polls I see their names still listed as registered Hawaii voters. If this is true of my family, it must be true of hundreds of others too -- certainly enough to seriously affect the statistics.

When someone doesn't vote in two consecutive elections, their name should be removed from the list. Failure to do this not only skews the voting percentages but also presents an easy opportunity for vote fraud. Surely our election officials could do a better job updating the records so that the numbers reflect an honest picture and dishonest people aren't able to vote multiple times.

Kerry faces the facts and speaks directly

There are a number of significant threats facing humankind, ranging from nuclear weapons to global warming. In last night's presidential debate, John Kerry acknowledged that the nuclear weapons build-up has not gone away but only changed, as with North Korea. There are still nuclear bombs ready for use across the globe. He spoke up about one of the biggest threats to our future: the difficulty of controlling the weapons still in Russia that could fall into the hands of terrorists.

President Bush deep-fried the data on global warming by deleting critical portions on climate change that were originally in an EPA draft report on the environment. Bush also backed out of the Kyoto global-warming agreement.

Kerry stands out by speaking the truth about climate change having global consequences for human health and the environment. President Bush has denied the impact of global warming, including scientific research and scientific journals.

After watching the first debate, I would feel more secure with Kerry in office. He will honestly be addressing the issues and strongly leading the way.

Kerry showed superior leadership qualities

John Kerry won this debate! Kerry has the plan and the intelligence to lead us away from conflict in the world, not towards it as George Bush is doing now.

When ship is sinking, it's best to get off

In response to John Werrill's clever Sept. 30 letter and reference to not changing canoes in midstream, flights in mid-air, recipes while cooking or President Bush mid-war:

Many of us would rather not go down with the ship. We have our parachutes wide open. We aren't swallowing the Texan's gruel. The best time for an end to the war, and a new leader is now!

Lingle's care with money is appreciated

Why is it when the Lingle administration does its due diligence by reviewing appropriations to ensure state-funded programs will achieve measurable results, using the same budget review process that prior administrations used, the Democrats say the governor is withholding funds for political reasons?

Yet when the same Democratic legislators failed to include $31.2 million in the 2003 supplemental budget to fund Hawaii Health Systems Corporation -- which runs the state's public hospitals and community health centers -- they said "it forced the HHSC to return during the 2004 legislative session and, quite simply, provide better answers, answers that the Legislature and the general public deserve." (Senate Ways and Means Committee Standing Report 3085 on HB1800)

The Democrats also said "the public expects this Legislature, the Board of the HHSC, as well as the governor, to carry out their fiduciary oversight responsibilities to the fullest and to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently and effectively."

If the Democrats are sincere in wanting to make sure the state hospitals were spending taxpayers' money effectively, then they should stop playing political games and credit Governor Lingle for ensuring public funds are being allocated where they will do the most good.

I appreciate the extreme care Lingle takes to spend my money wisely, where it will benefit the neediest, and not just because it will win votes on election day.

---

BACK TO TOP
|

[ BRAINSTORM! ] Planting an idea The first and last thing visitors see as they encounter Hawaii -- other than security personnel instructing them to take off their shoes -- is the elevated freeway by Honolulu's airport. Accordingly, when it was built, it was designed to be attractive, including a meandering garden running down the center of the lower level, and, up top, set between the elevated concourses, large planter boxes. The idea was to plant wonderful hanging gardens that would delight visitor and resident alike, and for a while, they did. But the state Department of Transportation is focused these days on potholes, not on making the roads look pretty. The elevated gardens have become choked with weeds and debris. So fire up those brain cells. What other use could these midair garden plots be used for? Thematic displays? Lei stands? Minimum-security prisons? Foosball diamonds? Storage for giant downtown Christmas ornaments? Headquarters for our newly reduced National Guard? A place for all the dirt from Castle Junction? Instead of offshore gambling, elevated gambling? Send us your ideas about what should be done with these highly visible, weed-racked lots. E-mail your ideas and solutions -- please include your name and address -- by Oct. 20 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or fax to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750 Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813