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» Mixed feelings about Democratic Party

Some media prefer to ignore hate crimes

Your newspaper seems to be the only one that aggressively pursues truths that many here in Hawaii would rather not acknowledge. Whether it's the story about anti-lesbian hate crimes ("Victim says attack was hate driven," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 29) or the Caucasian hate crime on the Big Island a while back.

Thanks for raising the bar of journalism -- now if the other local media would respond in kind we'd all be better off.

Where's the benefit in producing ethanol?

The plan to produce ethanol in Hawaii is beginning to smell a bit funny ("Delay sought on ethanol rules" ).

Mandate a cocktail of gasoline and ethanol so the big companies can farm their agricultural lands? And give them a tax credit for doing it?

Where's the net benefit? It's not clear that prices at the gas pump will decrease, nor is it clear our air will be any cleaner, especially after you consider the new pollutants from the ethanol plants and from the shipping of raw materials, i.e. molasses, to Hawaii for processing.

>> If you want to improve the quality of our air and decrease our dependence on oil, why not use the same money to build more bike paths?

>> Why not encourage flex time for government employees so our roads are less congested at peak times?

>> Why not concentrate on getting a true recycling program up and running?

>> Why not mandate the state and City and County use hybrid cars, trucks and buses?

>> Why not aggressively promote real conservation of water and electricity?

Hawaii is uniquely positioned to both embrace and evangelize conservation programs and the use of renewable energy sources. Such efforts fit well with Hawaii's "brand." But let's be sure we make true strides and affect real change. Symbolic gesturing won't get the job done.

Bush can be counted on to protect America

Corky's Sept. 21 editorial page cartoon finally did it right. The cartoon showed President Bush with the American flag draped around his body and Sen. Kerry wearing Osama bin Laden's turban and beard. The caption read: "You have only one choice."

Under the leadership of President Bush, who does not flinch, we will defeat the Islamic terrorists who behead innocent people. Bush believes in protecting Americans and freedom-loving people and their children now and into the next generation.

A weak and flip-flopping commander in chief would only encourage the endeavors of bin Laden and al-Qaida. I congratulate your paper for being credible, impartial and well- balanced. And Corky's pen is doing fine.

Airport taxi problem isn't anything new

If you guys think this is a new problem you do not take cabs from Honolulu Airport very often. ("Taxi users say service at airport insufficient," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 20).

This been a problem for years except perhaps during the peak travel times.ÊI used to fly back to Honolulu, landing at 9 to 10:30 p.m. and could hardly find a cab.

Now I live in Los Angeles and when I get in from Honolulu at 5:30 a.m. I just call the taxi from a call box and within five minutes I have a cab.

But in Honolulu I just rent a car and forget the cabs. The airport authority couldn't care less about this problem because not enough people complain.

Kerry campaign cares about Hawaii voters

I am disappointed that Governor Lingle and the GOP apparently don't think that Hawaii's vote is important to President Bush ("Kerry's paid staff works to secure isle victory," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 24). I am glad that the Kerry-Edwards team is not forgetting about Hawaii's vote. Unlike Bush, we can be sure that President John Kerry won't forget about Hawaii.

No more stalling on Haiku Stairs opening

In delaying the land swap between the city and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 30), the City Council budget committee has further delayed the re-opening of the Haiku Stairs hiking trail.

The proposed land swap is a win-win-win solution: DHHL gets land for hundreds of new homes for Hawaiians, the city gets access to the Haiku Stairs and the rich historical, cultural and recreational potential of the Haiku Valley, and the nearby residents get relieved of the pressure of illegal hikers.

Testifying against the trade were Rep. Ken Ito, who last year authored a bill to tear down the stairs, and from a few residents who made the puzzling argument that providing legal, controlled access to the stairs through the old quarantine station would actually increase the number of trespassers through their properties.

Now, while awaiting further action by the Council (and, perhaps even by a new mayor) DHHL goes without a new area to build homes, the nearby residents continue to experience illegal hikers, the city continues to expend $1,500 a week for security personnel, and the thousands of Hawaii citizens who long for access to the Haiku Stairs continue to wait.

The difficulties the Council and the administration have in working together should not be an excuse to delay this proposal. Let's do it!

[ QUOTABLE ] "Vioxx is obviously one of the most successful drugs on the market. What this (recall) does is it creates a climate of ... people being frantic and hysterical because of the amount of people taking Vioxx on a regular basis." Greg Marchildon AARP state director, on the number of people in Hawaii who consulted their doctors this week after the manufacturer's recall of the popular drug Vioxx.

Haiku residents want project done right

As residents of the Haiku area in Kaneohe, we wish to thank City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi and her budget committee for insisting that the Harris administration produce a budget operational and maintenance plan before allowing the land exchange with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to occur.

We know what would have happened otherwise ... the same thing that happened when the city fixed the Haiku Stairs without an access plan -- more trespassing, more traffic and more harassment.

We don't oppose the opening of the Haiku Stairs, but we do oppose further compounding the city's lack of planning with another rushed act that will only result in more misery for the surrounding neighborhoods, and a botched project; a land swap and attraction of this magnitude deserves to be done right the first time.

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Mixed feelings about the power
and influence of Democratic Party

Dems' chief concern is holding onto power

Regarding Ted Hong's column in the Insight section ("Political 'culture of fear' stifles our potential," Sept. 26) and how Hawaii's Democratic Party has lost its way:

Yes, it is appalling that Hawaii Democrats "have failed to recognize the need to change in order to meet the needs of our time." Unfortunately, this protective thinking is now business as usual. Like Hong, I feel abandoned by the party as well.

Democratic-sponsored resolutions offering "aloha to Saddam" and support for gay activist candidates such as Carolyn Golojuch reflects badly on the party's character.

If party leaders had spent as much care and effort in the planning and execution of making Hawaii's educational system second to none as it has all these years in its re-election campaigns, Hawaii public schools would be a source of pride, not shame.

I like to believe that there are many Democrats who share this view and whose love of Hawaii is more important than party loyalty, especially when that party has been taken over by extremists.

Living aloha is love for the aina, not love of the government in power. I urge those Democrats who feel the same to take a stand.

'Culture of fear' permeates DOE, too

Ted Hong's article on the "culture of fear" was right. That culture is rampant within the Department of Education.

I've lost count of the times DOE employees have quietly approached me with stories of the dysfunctional system. They support real change, even local school boards, but have no faith in the DOE promises to change itself.

I ask if they will testify, write a letter to the editor, meet with the press. The responses are enough to break your heart.

"I prayed with my wife, and I just can't do it. I have to protect my job for my family." "I talked with my friends, and they told me I'd be crazy. I'll never be promoted if I speak up." "I've seen teachers who speak up be shunned by their peers, they have to transfer schools it's so bad."

The DOE pays higher teacher salaries than private schools. They are virtually the only employer on neighbor islands and rural areas. This absolute power leads to fearful and self-censoring employees.

Like Hong, I am a Democrat who is disappointed with where that party has led our state. We need change this election, if for no other reason than to end that culture of fear.

Bush policies created another Democrat

Ted Hong feels that we should give Republicans a chance because Democrats have not been perfect. I disagree. Four years ago I joined the GOP to support John McCain for president. But by the time Hawaii Republicans got to vote, it was all settled in favor of G.W. Bush.

I left the Republicans after Linda Lingle praised Bush for the umpteenth time for doing a wonderful job. I am sorry, but Bush is the worst president we've ever had.

He gave huge contracts to rebuild Iraq to his buddies such as Halliburton, and what do we get for it? More than 1,000 dead soldiers and many more wounded. When Hong and other Republicans demand accountability from the Bush administration, I may listen, but until then, I will support Democrats.

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[ 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