Uncle Sam turns market into mess

We just recently had our home fall out of escrow. It was in immaculate shape. We put a lot of TLC into it. The reason was that the government, which owns all of the funds and money through its Fannie Mae and Federal Housing Administration, controls the home mortgage money supply.

The appraiser thought our home was worth $40,000 less than the offer to purchase it. Without a loan, the buyers could not buy the property. Who sets the prices anyway: the marketplace or the government?

This is definitely Big Government in your face. We were promised more jobs. Right! They are out there with someone redoing the paperwork at an escrow company to cancel the transaction.

Until you try and sell your home, you do not know what a mess the government has created. They set the price. Shouldn't a free marketplace set the price rather than our Uncle Sam?

UH-Hilo facility funding shows cultural priority

Perseverance and patience are potent partners.

In 1986, a statewide university task force recommended that a building be constructed to house the University of Hawaii-Hilo's expanding Hawaiian studies programs.

This past legislative session, after nearly 25 years, the state Legislature authorized $28 million in construction funds for such a building, which will enable the Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani College of Hawaiian Language to more fully address Hawaiian language needs statewide. It will also relieve rapidly growing UH-Hilo of some of its pressing classroom, meeting and office space issues.

Even as communities statewide voiced their support, hard decisions had to be made at every step leading to the inclusion of the building into the budget — especially in light of the difficult economic times. The support provided by the university, state, legislators and governor is an important indication that they recognize the first language and culture of these islands as a priority.

This was signed by Dr. Rose Tseng, UH-Hilo chancellor; Dr. Kalena Silva, director, Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani College of Hawaiian Language; and Gerald De Mello, university relations director, UH-Hilo

God invented marriage so let's leave it as it is

Concerning House Bill 444 on civil unions, Neil Abercrombie, who wants to be governor of this state and is a supporter of same-sex marriage, said recently at the local Democratic convention: “;It's an opportunity for us to state our values. There is a tendency for people who are upset about the bill to claim an exclusive authority based on their religious persuasion. I think you have to be a little careful, especially in Hawaii, claiming exclusive moral authority based on religious claims.”; He received a standing ovation for that remark.

Marriage is God's institution. God invented it. God has set its terms, and no one has the right to alter them according to his own whim or preference.

Civil unions bill should be signed into law

Equality Hawaii is grateful for the strong support of the House of Representatives in passing House Bill 444. Our legislators acted wisely in putting Hawaii on the map as the first state to approve of civil unions for heterosexual and same-sex couples.

The LGBT community in Hawaii achieved this step in equality because so many heterosexual allies came forward and made their support of our community a priority. We are in everyone's families. We contribute productively to our society. We love our families. And today we have even more reason to love our Aloha state.

We hope Gov. Linda Lingle will support equality and make history as the first governor to sign into law a truly equal civil unions bill.