Ray L’Heureux Should Have Been Included in Republican Debate

Dear Editor,  June 28, 2018

What happened on the evening of June 27th on Station KHNL at 7pm. was a shameful display of discrimination and bias on the part of a major local TV station,

A debate for the Republican Governorship featured only two of the three filed candidates for the office. Ray Lheureux, an announced and filed candidate for the office was denied participation for questionable reasons.

KHNL took a poll the results which was announced April 7 before Mr. Lheureux even became a candidate. They decided to invite to the debate only “the two contenders in the poll and said they did not think Lheureux was staging a serious enough campaign”.

Are we at the stage where the news media determines who is a serious candidate and who is not? Should an incomplete media poll be used as a determinate of who is viable and who is not? This unfair manipulation of public attention is not what our electoral process deserves.

I hope other media will be more responsible and protect the peoples’ interests more than their own.

Sincerely,

Patricia (Pat) Saiki

Former Republican Member of Congress

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CALIFORNIA FREE SPEECH UPHELD AT THE SUPREME COURT

Hawaii Act 200 of 2017 on Shaky Ground

Dear Editor,   June 27, 2018

Members of Hawaii’s House and Senate were warned that SB 501 (2017) violated constitutional free speech rights and that every state statute that tried to silence volunteers at pro-life pregnancy centers had been over-turned. Hawaii’s elected officials did not listen and Governor Ige signed ACT 200 on July 11, 2017.

The recent Supreme Court’s NIFLA v. Becerrato decision found serious first amendment flaws with California’s bill that mandated pro-life pregnancy centers advertise abortion services. Hawaii’s similar court case is still working its way through the judicial process. Much time and effort was expended to pass Hawaii’s unfair, harmful legislation, even though many testifiers, including myself, advised the committee members that the bill violated constitutional rights.

If full disclosure were the actual concern of Act 200 advocates, abortion centers would be required to advertise local pro-life centers, have the clients view the ultrasound of their baby prior to having an abortion, and post notices advising clients that abortion reversal pills are available. Many women who regretted beginning a chemical abortion have taken these pills and subsequently delivered healthy babies.

Voters should consider voting for their Republican candidates this upcoming election season. We need debate of controversial issues and push back when our constitutional rights are infringed. Let’s pray that the final decision regarding Act 200 will be swift and similar.

Sincerely,

Mary Smart

Republican Candidate for HD 37

Mililani, Oahu

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When?

Dear Editor,    June 18, 2018

As one who has been privileged to be involved in shipments to Hawaii for many decades, the following headline captured my attention:

Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card -- Hawaii Stuck on ‘F’

During these years, the cost of shipping a container has risen from around $1,100 to about $11,000 currently as competition has dwindled.

Although many voters derive their livelihood from the logistics industry with its very limited competition, it remains difficult to understand why the century old Jones Act continues to be tolerated.

Frank Barnes

Dalton, Georgia