Deaf player's family appreciates support

We would like to thank the many people on Kauai, in Hawaii and throughout the world who supported us and our son, Justin "Pono" Tokioka, during our fight for justice with PONY Baseball/Softball Inc. We could not be happier that PONY has agreed to change its rules and policies to allow greater access for children with disabilities. Pono's victory in this case ensures that sports leagues throughout the United States will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act from now on.

The Lihue Baseball League has supported Pono 100 percent since he started playing tee ball nearly six years ago, and was right there with us when we filed our complaint. Not a week has gone by without someone -- and sometimes dozens of people -- approaching us to tell us they supported our position and what we were fighting for. People we have never even met would lend their support by phone, e-mail or personal encounter. Many even wrote letters to the PONY organization on Pono's behalf.

The media helped us keep this issue in front of the public, and we are extremely grateful to them for covering the story with such intensity and interest. Our attorney, Marc Charmatz of the National Association of the Deaf, was instrumental in guiding us through the process and reassuring us that we were moving forward to a successful conclusion. Finally, we cannot say enough about the good work of the Department of Justice: U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, staff attorney David Booth and all of the DOJ employees who were instrumental in settling this case so favorably to our sole purpose of equal access for our son.

Mahalo to everyone who was there for Pono. By supporting him you were also supporting every child with a disability in this country. We will be forever grateful.

Island life requires limiting immigration

It is difficult to understand a state where a traffic accident cannot be fixed except by the governor. The departments of Transportation and Public Safety could not jointly make a decision about how to route traffic from one side of the freeway to the other after Tuesday's accident.

The state would be well advised to stop relying on large populations to provide economic growth. Honolulu obviously is on the verge of terminal gridlock because the island is over its carrying capacity. The state must finally face the uncomfortable fact that it has limited natural resources. Economic growth on a continent follows different rules from those required by the nature of islands. The majority of people here have come from continents and have little understanding of how islands must operate. Our national laws forbid restrictions on immigration because they are based on a continental model. Hence our critical problems with a reliable water supply, and infrastructures for transportation and housing.

Tuesday's accident should be a wake-up call for the whole state, not just Honolulu. Oahu collapsed because a pedestrian bridge fell down. What will it do with a real emergency?

Military gets us with another negligent act

The military did it again. Why would a truck driver from the military dare transport a load like this without a permit from the Department of Transportation? Any trucking company does it. Why not the military?

Just like the tortures at Guantanamo Bay or in any other  secret jail, just like the mustard gas containers off shore, just like the destruction of the sacred land with the Strykers, just like the live fire at Makua, just like the chemicals found on the bases, just like the speeding on the way to the bases or from the bases, enough is enough.

The military is not acting as a role model on this island, more severe punishment for the culprits and top-dollar fines should be imposed.

UH team, fans showed class in Alabama

I want to thank the University of Hawaii fans who took the long trip to here to Tuscaloosa to support their team. I was impressed by the fans and the football team; the people I met were outgoing, friendly and taught me so much about your culture.

I loved the Hawaii team's pre-game Warrior dance. You should be proud of your team members; they played to the very end and showed lots of class.

For those fans and players who did come to spend time with us, I hope you all enjoyed your experience. I am looking forward to visiting Hawaii in the future because I was so impressed with those who represented our 50th state!

His disrespect dooms Case's political career

When the 2006 Hawaii Democratic primary is history, the brash challenger for a U.S. Senate seat will ponder the reasons for his political epitaph as his term in the House of Representatives expires.

He will have learned that in Hawaii it is dangerous politics to be disrespectful of his elders. He will realize the formidable opponent who has crushed his electoral career is not a doddering old fool.

He probably will not discern Hawaii voters are akamai enough to understand that if someone looks like a Republican, talks like a Republican, takes Republican positions on issues and picks fights with his Democratic elders, he is likely to be more successful as a lawyer than a statesman.

Ed Case is a capable individual. Perhaps he will find his calling once his political career is summarily brought to the halt it so richly deserves.

Only Case addresses education problems

I am shocked that throughout this election, we have not talked about education. Hawaii has one of the worst public education systems in the country, mostly because our teachers are not getting paid what they deserve.

One of the best ideas to come out of the federal government was charter schools, even though the state has not properly funded them. Charter schools allow the community to decide how and what to teach their students, within the state guidelines.

I only know one candidate who is talking about charter schools, Ed Case. He continues to be the champion of charter schools and makes sure they get their fair share. Charter schools may not be the answer, but at least it is in the right direction. For this issue, Case has my vote for U.S. Senate!