Political leaders should demand quiet streets

Regarding recent letters complaining about noisy cars, motorcycles and car stereos in Honolulu: There is a way to get rid of the street noise. The governor and the mayor should meet with the police chief and tell him in no uncertain terms, “;Get rid of the noise on our streets!”;

Hawaii Bowl schedule needs huge revamp

The Hawaii Bowl's board of directors needs to make a serious attempt at upgrading scheduling. When a post-season game becomes a “;homer”; reward for the local team, as it has with the University of Hawaii, the result is a low-rated bowl and a bad reputation.

A “;bowl”; game between 7-6 and 6-6 teams is disgusting. The stadium will stink for a long, long time.

Tone down money's influence on elections

Rather than lifting limits on campaign funds from the mainland for candidates seeking election in Hawaii, our state government and spending commission should be trying to strengthen and reinforce the limits.

In almost every case, the candidates who raise the most money, buy the most advertising, etc., win the elections. Mainland special interest groups and others with huge amounts of capital should not decide who will represent Hawaii in Congress, or for that matter, who should govern our fragile island state.

Yes, that should apply to local elections too. Candidates should be limited to raising campaign funds from voters only in the district they want to represent. Special interest groups in Honolulu should not be able to choose who will represent a completely different constituency on another island, and vice-versa.

While we are at it, we should reduce and strictly enforce the amount of money that can be raised and spent, and perhaps limit it to small contributions from individuals. That would keep the unions, big business and others from buying a candidate.

Let's also limit the period of time during which candidates may campaign. More advanced societies have done this already. We just went through what seemed like a never-ending national campaign, and it appears that some are already campaigning for the 2012 elections. Those running for county offices or the Legislature could be limited to three months of campaigning and $50,000. Those running for statewide office or Congress could be limited to six months and $100,000.

Let's put some sanity back into our democracy.

Keith Haugen
Nuuanu

Honor labor leader by fighting for workers

All of us who had the privilege of knowing Ah Quon McElrath knew that her commitment and dedication to the have-nots of our society was unquestioned (”;Hawaii's workers lose a stalwart champion,”; Star-Bulletin, Dec. 13). When I think of A.Q., I am reminded of another activist from yesteryear, Mother Jones, who famously declared, “;Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.”;

So as we lament the passing of A.Q., let's not ever forget (as she would remind us, no doubt) to continue to fight like hell for the living. There can be no better way to honor her remarkable life and her contribution to the greater good.

Governor going back on ceded lands

Gov. Linda Lingle's newfound position that the Hawaiian people have no stake in ceded lands is a complete rejection of all that she promised Hawaiians. One can safely say that her political career has come full circle—a promising career based on honesty and integrity destroyed by political correctness and blind ambition.

The question now becomes one of conscience for Lt. Gov. “;Duke”; Aiona. Does he seek higher office or sink with the Lingle ship?

Aiona, a Hawaiian, needs to take a position on ceded lands separate from Lingle and announce what his position on ceded lands is if he expects to maintain any political viability in the future.

He needs to do that now!