Some people enjoy neighbors' fireworks

In response to Isabel Figel's letter (”;Quit making excuses for allowing fireworks,”; Letters, Jan. 13): Let's put it on the ballot for once and let the public decide to ban or not. This is the best way to determine the use of fireworks. The ballot had a vote for the rail project and it was voted for ... I hate to say, the economy is more important to solve than some fireworks going off. On the other side, if the economy is bad then the use of fireworks certainly will be reduced for next year.

I enjoyed watching the fireworks show in my neighborhood but just sitting in my chair, not having to fight the traffic, find parking, fighting the crowd and so on. I would say our neighborhood had a better show than the scheduled ones.

Hold elected officials accountable for laws

During the past week, I have read numerous letters to the editor concerning illegal fireworks and their noise. I have also read several letters concerning illegally or non-muffled vehicles and their noise. The writers cite the lack of enforcement. While attention to these and other issues (expired safety checks and registrations) is well deserved, letters to the editor do no good in correcting any of them.

I urge all who are concerned about this lack of enforcement to start writing to every legislator and elected official and tell them that as long as the illegal fireworks continue, as long as illegally or non-muffled vehicles roam our roads, as long as registration/inspection stickers are ignored, that they have no right to enact new laws until they can enforce the existing ones. If they won't correct this, tell them you won't vote for anyone who will continue to turn a blind eye to these illegal activities.

OHA not being honest about Akaka Bill costs

Crystal Kua, Office of Hawaiian Affairs director of communications, has done her job to spin the report presented by Beacon Hill Institute and the Grassroot Institute exposing the costs of the Akaka Bill to the state of Hawaii (Letters, Jan. 11).

Her misinformation is in her statement that “;the bill's cost would be about $1 million the first year and about $500,000 for subsequent years.”; And she added the figures came from “;the independent Congressional Budget Office for the 110th and 109th Congress.”;

Kua attempted to misinform us, but we all know that the Congressional Budget Office provides cost estimates to the federal government on any legislation. The cost estimates of the Akaka Bill by the CBO do not include the millions or even billions to the state of Hawaii and the four county governments, as the Beacon Hill Institute and the Grassroot Institute pointed out.

Kua must propose to the OHA board, as a state agency, to approve and fund an independent cost study of the estimated impact of the Akaka Bill to the state of Hawaii and its people.

Any costs from bill should be repaid

If it is true, as Crystal Kua of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs states in her letter to the editor, that the Beacon Hill Study's estimates of the Akaka Bill costs are “;misinformation,”; then why not put language into the Akaka Bill that provides for reimbursement to the state of Hawaii and her citizens if financial losses are suffered due to the bill's passage? Shouldn't the U.S. government pay for the consequences of passing this bill?

Aloha ex-employees get by with a little help

Thank you for your Sunday article “;Life After Aloha.”; I am a former flight attendant, having worked for Aloha for 39 years to the time of the closing nine months ago. It has been difficult for me and many of my colleagues, both emotionally and financially. I'd like to point out that several kamaaina businesses have graciously stepped up to assist former workers, particularly Hawaii Medical Service Association and Elite Security Systems.

We all lost our medical coverage, and when COBRA ran out, HMSA provided an interim group coverage plan for employees to the end of 2008. Through their generosity, they have extended the group plan through 2009. Without it, many Aloha families would not have medical insurance today.

Elite Security Systems waived all fees to former Aloha employees from July through the end of the year. It is a small, locally owned company with challenges of its own in these tough economic times and I am very grateful for their generosity and kindness.

Mahalo to these and all the other businesses that have contributed so much to the former employees!