Honolulu Star-Bulletin Editorial - Letters to the Editor

It's time to give thanks and think of others

I would like to wish all our residents and visitors a very happy Thanksgiving. During this special time of the year, let us pause to reflect on how much we have to be thankful for in the Aloha State.

The natural beauty of Hawaii is unparalleled, our quality of life is the best we have experienced in years and our people are blessed with a gracious and loving spirit that adds greatly to the soul of our island home.

It is my hope that you are able to join with family and friends in celebrating the holiday season. Of course, many people will be far away from their families. This includes Hawaii's men and women in uniform who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please join me in keeping our troops and their families in your thoughts and prayers, and thanking them for their many sacrifices.

Let us also remember the less fortunate among us and lend a helping hand -- not just today, but throughout the year.

Aloha e ma lama pono!

Linda Lingle

Governor, State of Hawaii

Mufi should ride bus, if he can squeeze in

I haven't seen Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann on board the packed No. 2 and 13 buses I ride every day. Hannemann doesn't support expenditures on the Bus Rapid Transit, but Honolulu needs those extra buses right now. Going home I can count on two buses in a row refusing me because they can't fit any more people.

In the morning, buses are so packed with senior commuters even the feeble have to stand. It's pitiable. Electric buses cost too much? What if it was your grandma clutching shirt sleeves and backpacks trying to save herself from a fall aboard a city bus?

Jerome Tabar
Honolulu

Revoking lease-to-fee law now is criminal

Bill 53, which will abolish the vested leasehold conversion rights that were granted to homeowners by the city of Honolulu in 1991 under Chapter 38, is unjust and illegal. There remain more than 5,000 owner-occupied leasehold condominiums and co-ops still to be converted under Chapter 38. These are peoples' homes that they will ultimately lose and their equities forfeited when their leases begin to expire in less than three years. Assuming an average investment of $200,000 per home, that comes to more than a billion dollars of equity that will be stolen by Bill 53.

If Bill 53 is enacted by the City Council in January, the ongoing legal liability to the city could be enormous. But more important, the economic and social consequences to the tens of thousands of owner-occupants of these residential leasehold units, who have relied on the legality of Chapter 38, will be devastating. The ruinous effects that Bill 53 will cause include the wrongful displacement of people from their homes and the transfer of more than $1 billion of their equity to some 171 landowners who would have otherwise been justly compensated for the true fair market value of their leasehold land, anyway.

The city has already mandated leasehold conversion, the courts have upheld it and the lessees have relied on it. Repealing that law now is criminal.

William H. Cooper
Honolulu

Marine was justified in shooting incident

Thomas Sowell's Nov. 18 column on the U.S. Marine who shot a wounded and perhaps "unarmed" terrorist in Fallujah ("'Support our troops' not just a catchphrase") was excellent. The bottom line is: The Marine was just doing his job, to stay alive, to fight another day, to keep our country free of terrorists.

Martin Schiller

Former U.S. Marine
Honolulu

Marine followed combat protocol

I am really upset how the news media on television treated the Marine who shot a wounded terrorist in a mosque in Fallujah. Marine and Army infantrymen were taught how to kill their enemy. If the enemy moves or does not raise his hand to surrender, he is subject to be killed. And the Marine who shot the terrorist who was assumed faking as a casualty should be praised for his keen insight into how to defend himself and his squad or platoon. The news media should travel to terrorist territory and investigate why they kill innocent people instead of picking on our brave fighting men. They don't have any business getting in the front line and recording methods of killings.

War is terrible. When you are engaged to kill or be killed you must kill your enemy first before he kills you. How do I know? I survived four wars during my lifetime.

Bernardo P. Benigno
Master sergeant E-8
U.S. Army, retired
Mililani

U.S. should keep cameras out of Iraq

Unfortunately, America's efforts to bring peace, prosperity and happiness to Iraq are suffering from a bad press. The fall-out from the torture of prisoners, the killing of unarmed wounded, the desecration of mosques and the hundred thousand or so civilian deaths can't be entirely avoided, but it can be and certainly should be minimized.

To do so, such incidents ought never to be visually recorded. The military needs only to extend its current Guantanamo policy and make the possession of TV or still cameras of any kind in Iraq a criminal offense.

After all, the photos of the mass killing by Americans at My Lai can still be viewed on the Internet, but the Nazis kept cameras away from the Lidice massacre, so probably no reader of this letter even knows about it.

John A. Broussard
Kamuela, Hawaii

News coverage unfair to Marine in Iraq

How long are the networks and newspapers going to push the story about the Marine killing the wounded Iraqi?

I am so angry that we are repeating this story over and over. We have sent these young kids over there to defend democracy for all.

Kill the bad guys, and duck roadside bombs, booby-trapped bodies and "friendly civilians" with machine guns, and try to come home alive with all your parts. This is what our Marines face daily.

How does one kid who has been trained to kill the enemy and has suffered combat just turn it off the next day? Especially when his friend was killed by a booby-trapped body?

TV and newspaper coverage has to be retrained and made fair.

Pat Meyers
Kailua

Pastor bought car with own funds

This is to correct the misinformation in your Oct. 29 editorial that the Apostolic Faith Church purchased "a new Cadillac for the chief pastor."

I purchased a new Cadillac for my beloved wife from our personal funds and not from church coffers. I am still actively involved as the chief pastor and have waived a salary. I'm also the chairman of the Board of Trustees, for which I do not receive compensation.

William M. Han Sr.
Chief pastor, chairman of the Board of Trustees
The Apostolic Faith Church
Kalihi>

Help arrives on a dark and rainy highway

When the telephone rings at 4 o'clock in the morning, the chances that it will be good news are slim. I heard our daughter's voice: "Mom, I got into an accident on the Pali Highway ..."

A million scenarios bombarded my brain.

"Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm OK."

She told me her location and then her cell phone cut off. After quickly explaining the situation to my husband, I called her back and could tell she was speaking with someone.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Oh, these three guys stopped to help me. I'll talk to you later."

Three guys at 4 a.m on a dark, wet Pali Highway. Another million scenarios blasted through my mind. By the time we arrived, the police and tow truck were at the scene.

These three guys were on their way home and noticed a car up against the trees, facing oncoming traffic. They thought the people inside must be badly injured. They stopped. These three guys were Marines from Kaneohe. Expecting the worst, they were shocked when our daughter emerged from the car. They talked with her, assessed the situation, and called the police and AAA.

Thank you, Cary, Donny and Manny. You not only stopped, but you stayed until the very end when the car was towed away. We commend you to your peers and superiors and we thank our Lord for your defining presence in times of trouble. You are the best.

Aaron and Stephanie Suzuki
Kailua

'Piece of paper' has many benefits

Robert Lawless writes that marriage is more than a piece of paper, so he does not "get the hubbub" over gay marriage (Letters, Nov. 18). He is right in one respect -- marriage is much more than a piece of paper. However, there are also 1,138 federal rights, protections and responsibilities that are automatically granted to married couples. These include medical power of attorney, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, immigration rights, parental rights and obligations; survivor, inheritance and disability benefits, and many more that are listed at www.hrc.org.

Some of these rights and benefits may be arranged through an attorney, and many are prohibited by individual state laws. Only a fraction are ultimately available to same-sex couples.

Mr. Lawless, congratulations on your wedding. I hope you never have to deal with any of the aforementioned issues. However, you may find that "piece of paper" to be far more important than you originally thought.

Jen Wong

Encino, Calif.
Former Hawaii resident

Leasehold system unfair to lessees

Congratulations to Ralph Mitchell (Letters, Nov. 14) for clearly making the point that landowners of leasehold condominiums have not a penny invested in the condos, improvements or infrastructure, and those who have paid all of the costs -- condominium lessees -- are forced to walk away with nothing when their leases expire. How fair is this?

Leasehold was promoted as a way to allow people to buy a condo who might not otherwise be able to afford it because of the high cost of land. Bunk! The lessee's payments under the terms and conditions of their lease would finally pay the principle and interest on the land at its original value, in many cases several times over.

When lessees are offered the chance to purchase the land under their condos, it's usually at three to five times the current value. What do landowners such as Kamehameha Schools use to justify the higher price? The value of the improvements paid for by the lessees and the guaranteed returns from their lease. Lessees have no choice but to pay up or walk away from their homes. They cannot shop around for less expensive land to rent and move their condos there.

If leasehold were a good deal for lessees, as many of its supporters claim, developers would not have abandoned the system. It's not the leasehold conversion law the City Council should consider abolishing. It's leasehold.

Kelly Dean Corns
Honolulu

Warriors' offense isn't doing the job

After watching the two ESPN games the University of Hawaii Warriors played on the road, I really think coach June Jones and defensive coordinator George Lumpkin need to consider resigning. I was never a wagon jumper, when Hawaii had good years, but always questioned the play calling. Let's face it, the defense is horrible, but the offense really doesn't help when they go three and out. Pass, pass, pass. It seems that the Western Athletic Conference has adjusted to the run and shoot, but Jones has made no changes since Dan Robinson led the charge. Timmy Chang is a great passer, who seems like a real good kid, but he doesn't run and cannot seem to raise the troops. I do not expect much change next year. What about inquiring on Rick Neuheisel?

Cliff Owens
Honolulu

Lawmakers should resist gambling

During the upcoming legislative session, Hawaii lawmakers should not look into legalized gambling to raise revenues. Legalized gambling would increase financial problems, crime rates and social problems.

Studies show gambling is addictive for many people. Rent money, school money and grocery money are wasted in casinos. Compulsive gambling wreaks havoc on individuals, families and communities. Hawaii is known for its famous beaches and aloha spirit -- that is treasure enough.

Legalizing gambling also might increase crimes like burglary, theft and assault. People who lose money will have to find ways to replace their losses. People have lost homes, businesses and families due to gambling. Prostitution and drugs are also common side effects. People may claim that Las Vegas has cleaned up its crime scene, but it took them many years to accomplish that. Hawaii has made great progress in cleaning up crime in Waikiki. Gambling would just bring the problems back.

Hawaii is one of only two states in the nation that can boast of no legalized gambling. Let's strive to keep it that way.

Elaraine M. Lomboy
Honolulu

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It's time to give thanks and think of others I would like to wish all our residents and visitors a very happy Thanksgiving. During this special time of the year, let us pause to reflect on how much we have to be thankful for in the Aloha State. The natural beauty of Hawaii is unparalleled, our quality of life is the best we have experienced in years and our people are blessed with a gracious and loving spirit that adds greatly to the soul of our island home. It is my hope that you are able to join with family and friends in celebrating the holiday season. Of course, many people will be far away from their families. This includes Hawaii's men and women in uniform who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please join me in keeping our troops and their families in your thoughts and prayers, and thanking them for their many sacrifices. Let us also remember the less fortunate among us and lend a helping hand -- not just today, but throughout the year. Aloha e ma lama pono! Linda Lingle Governor, State of Hawaii Mufi should ride bus, if he can squeeze in I haven't seen Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann on board the packed No. 2 and 13 buses I ride every day. Hannemann doesn't support expenditures on the Bus Rapid Transit, but Honolulu needs those extra buses right now. Going home I can count on two buses in a row refusing me because they can't fit any more people. In the morning, buses are so packed with senior commuters even the feeble have to stand. It's pitiable. Electric buses cost too much? What if it was your grandma clutching shirt sleeves and backpacks trying to save herself from a fall aboard a city bus? Jerome Tabar Honolulu Revoking lease-to-fee law now is criminal Bill 53, which will abolish the vested leasehold conversion rights that were granted to homeowners by the city of Honolulu in 1991 under Chapter 38, is unjust and illegal. There remain more than 5,000 owner-occupied leasehold condominiums and co-ops still to be converted under Chapter 38. These are peoples' homes that they will ultimately lose and their equities forfeited when their leases begin to expire in less than three years. Assuming an average investment of $200,000 per home, that comes to more than a billion dollars of equity that will be stolen by Bill 53. If Bill 53 is enacted by the City Council in January, the ongoing legal liability to the city could be enormous. But more important, the economic and social consequences to the tens of thousands of owner-occupants of these residential leasehold units, who have relied on the legality of Chapter 38, will be devastating. The ruinous effects that Bill 53 will cause include the wrongful displacement of people from their homes and the transfer of more than $1 billion of their equity to some 171 landowners who would have otherwise been justly compensated for the true fair market value of their leasehold land, anyway. The city has already mandated leasehold conversion, the courts have upheld it and the lessees have relied on it. Repealing that law now is criminal. William H. Cooper Honolulu Marine was justified in shooting incident Thomas Sowell's Nov. 18 column on the U.S. Marine who shot a wounded and perhaps "unarmed" terrorist in Fallujah ("'Support our troops' not just a catchphrase") was excellent. The bottom line is: The Marine was just doing his job, to stay alive, to fight another day, to keep our country free of terrorists. Martin Schiller Former U.S. Marine Honolulu Marine followed combat protocol I am really upset how the news media on television treated the Marine who shot a wounded terrorist in a mosque in Fallujah. Marine and Army infantrymen were taught how to kill their enemy. If the enemy moves or does not raise his hand to surrender, he is subject to be killed. And the Marine who shot the terrorist who was assumed faking as a casualty should be praised for his keen insight into how to defend himself and his squad or platoon. The news media should travel to terrorist territory and investigate why they kill innocent people instead of picking on our brave fighting men. They don't have any business getting in the front line and recording methods of killings. War is terrible. When you are engaged to kill or be killed you must kill your enemy first before he kills you. How do I know? I survived four wars during my lifetime. Bernardo P. Benigno Master sergeant E-8 U.S. Army, retired Mililani U.S. should keep cameras out of Iraq Unfortunately, America's efforts to bring peace, prosperity and happiness to Iraq are suffering from a bad press. The fall-out from the torture of prisoners, the killing of unarmed wounded, the desecration of mosques and the hundred thousand or so civilian deaths can't be entirely avoided, but it can be and certainly should be minimized. To do so, such incidents ought never to be visually recorded. The military needs only to extend its current Guantanamo policy and make the possession of TV or still cameras of any kind in Iraq a criminal offense. After all, the photos of the mass killing by Americans at My Lai can still be viewed on the Internet, but the Nazis kept cameras away from the Lidice massacre, so probably no reader of this letter even knows about it. John A. Broussard Kamuela, Hawaii News coverage unfair to Marine in Iraq How long are the networks and newspapers going to push the story about the Marine killing the wounded Iraqi? I am so angry that we are repeating this story over and over. We have sent these young kids over there to defend democracy for all. Kill the bad guys, and duck roadside bombs, booby-trapped bodies and "friendly civilians" with machine guns, and try to come home alive with all your parts. This is what our Marines face daily. How does one kid who has been trained to kill the enemy and has suffered combat just turn it off the next day? Especially when his friend was killed by a booby-trapped body? TV and newspaper coverage has to be retrained and made fair. Pat Meyers Kailua Pastor bought car with own funds This is to correct the misinformation in your Oct. 29 editorial that the Apostolic Faith Church purchased "a new Cadillac for the chief pastor." I purchased a new Cadillac for my beloved wife from our personal funds and not from church coffers. I am still actively involved as the chief pastor and have waived a salary. I'm also the chairman of the Board of Trustees, for which I do not receive compensation. William M. Han Sr. Chief pastor, chairman of the Board of Trustees The Apostolic Faith Church Kalihi> Help arrives on a dark and rainy highway When the telephone rings at 4 o'clock in the morning, the chances that it will be good news are slim. I heard our daughter's voice: "Mom, I got into an accident on the Pali Highway ..." A million scenarios bombarded my brain. "Are you OK?" "Yeah, I'm OK." She told me her location and then her cell phone cut off. After quickly explaining the situation to my husband, I called her back and could tell she was speaking with someone. "Who are you talking to?" "Oh, these three guys stopped to help me. I'll talk to you later." Three guys at 4 a.m on a dark, wet Pali Highway. Another million scenarios blasted through my mind. By the time we arrived, the police and tow truck were at the scene. These three guys were on their way home and noticed a car up against the trees, facing oncoming traffic. They thought the people inside must be badly injured. They stopped. These three guys were Marines from Kaneohe. Expecting the worst, they were shocked when our daughter emerged from the car. They talked with her, assessed the situation, and called the police and AAA. Thank you, Cary, Donny and Manny. You not only stopped, but you stayed until the very end when the car was towed away. We commend you to your peers and superiors and we thank our Lord for your defining presence in times of trouble. You are the best. Aaron and Stephanie Suzuki Kailua 'Piece of paper' has many benefits Robert Lawless writes that marriage is more than a piece of paper, so he does not "get the hubbub" over gay marriage (Letters, Nov. 18). He is right in one respect -- marriage is much more than a piece of paper. However, there are also 1,138 federal rights, protections and responsibilities that are automatically granted to married couples. These include medical power of attorney, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, immigration rights, parental rights and obligations; survivor, inheritance and disability benefits, and many more that are listed at www.hrc.org. Some of these rights and benefits may be arranged through an attorney, and many are prohibited by individual state laws. Only a fraction are ultimately available to same-sex couples. Mr. Lawless, congratulations on your wedding. I hope you never have to deal with any of the aforementioned issues. However, you may find that "piece of paper" to be far more important than you originally thought. Jen Wong Encino, Calif. Former Hawaii resident Leasehold system unfair to lessees Congratulations to Ralph Mitchell (Letters, Nov. 14) for clearly making the point that landowners of leasehold condominiums have not a penny invested in the condos, improvements or infrastructure, and those who have paid all of the costs -- condominium lessees -- are forced to walk away with nothing when their leases expire. How fair is this? Leasehold was promoted as a way to allow people to buy a condo who might not otherwise be able to afford it because of the high cost of land. Bunk! The lessee's payments under the terms and conditions of their lease would finally pay the principle and interest on the land at its original value, in many cases several times over. When lessees are offered the chance to purchase the land under their condos, it's usually at three to five times the current value. What do landowners such as Kamehameha Schools use to justify the higher price? The value of the improvements paid for by the lessees and the guaranteed returns from their lease. Lessees have no choice but to pay up or walk away from their homes. They cannot shop around for less expensive land to rent and move their condos there. If leasehold were a good deal for lessees, as many of its supporters claim, developers would not have abandoned the system. It's not the leasehold conversion law the City Council should consider abolishing. It's leasehold. Kelly Dean Corns Honolulu Warriors' offense isn't doing the job After watching the two ESPN games the University of Hawaii Warriors played on the road, I really think coach June Jones and defensive coordinator George Lumpkin need to consider resigning. I was never a wagon jumper, when Hawaii had good years, but always questioned the play calling. Let's face it, the defense is horrible, but the offense really doesn't help when they go three and out. Pass, pass, pass. It seems that the Western Athletic Conference has adjusted to the run and shoot, but Jones has made no changes since Dan Robinson led the charge. Timmy Chang is a great passer, who seems like a real good kid, but he doesn't run and cannot seem to raise the troops. I do not expect much change next year. What about inquiring on Rick Neuheisel? Cliff Owens Honolulu Lawmakers should resist gambling During the upcoming legislative session, Hawaii lawmakers should not look into legalized gambling to raise revenues. Legalized gambling would increase financial problems, crime rates and social problems. Studies show gambling is addictive for many people. Rent money, school money and grocery money are wasted in casinos. Compulsive gambling wreaks havoc on individuals, families and communities. Hawaii is known for its famous beaches and aloha spirit -- that is treasure enough. Legalizing gambling also might increase crimes like burglary, theft and assault. People who lose money will have to find ways to replace their losses. People have lost homes, businesses and families due to gambling. Prostitution and drugs are also common side effects. People may claim that Las Vegas has cleaned up its crime scene, but it took them many years to accomplish that. Hawaii has made great progress in cleaning up crime in Waikiki. Gambling would just bring the problems back. Hawaii is one of only two states in the nation that can boast of no legalized gambling. Let's strive to keep it that way. Elaraine M. Lomboy Honolulu	— ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS —

It's time to give thanks and think of others

Mufi should ride bus, if he can squeeze in

Revoking lease-to-fee law now is criminal

Marine was justified in shooting incident

Marine followed combat protocol

U.S. should keep cameras out of Iraq

News coverage unfair to Marine in Iraq

Pastor bought car with own funds

Help arrives on a dark and rainy highway

'Piece of paper' has many benefits

Leasehold system unfair to lessees

Warriors' offense isn't doing the job

Lawmakers should resist gambling

How to write us

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It's time to give thanks and think of others

Mufi should ride bus, if he can squeeze in

Revoking lease-to-fee law now is criminal

Marine was justified in shooting incident

Marine followed combat protocol

U.S. should keep cameras out of Iraq

News coverage unfair to Marine in Iraq

Pastor bought car with own funds

Help arrives on a dark and rainy highway

'Piece of paper' has many benefits

Leasehold system unfair to lessees

Warriors' offense isn't doing the job

Lawmakers should resist gambling

How to write us

Text Site Directory: [News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!] [Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor] [Feedback]

Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]