October, 2010 Letters to the Editor

Hawaii Daily News Read

Monday, October 25, 2010

October, 2010 Letters to the Editor
By Letters to the Editor @ 3:54 PM :: 7390 Views

DemsForDuke to rally in Kona Friday

Aloha, October 12, 2010

I’ve begun a grass roots coalition titled “DEMSforDUKE” in hopes of doing my manini bit to help bring some sanity to elected offices. I’m tired of the complainers who do nothing but flap their jaws so I need to do something! I’m looking for a few good people who believe similarly and realize that good will not always prevail unless we get involved. The primary election resulted in 18% of the registered voters actually decide who and what gets to power – imagine only 18% of us dictate results!

To this end I’m asking if you would come to the mauka intersection above Costco every Wednesday and Friday, 4-6PM and help me sign wave to show there are people who have similar beliefs.

I’m not asking you to embrace a Republican agenda nor listen to their arguments nor vice-versa. I’m only asking that you ignore political parties and come support and VOTE to bring some moral sanity to politics. Will you come sign wave with me and get a DEMSforDUKE t-shirt? He and WE need your help!

Please reply to let me know to expect you or not and BRING your own family/friends.

Mahalo for your patience with me in this message as I don’t know your political position although I have high respect for your freedom to believe and express it.

Steve Lopez

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

slopez@hawaii.rr.com

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Let Honolulu Petition

Aloha, October 12, 2010

In 2006 Let Honolulu Vote led a petition drive to change the Honolulu City Charter. The GET increase had just gone into effect and Let Honolulu Vote, with your help, attempted to petition the C&C of Honolulu on that issue.

We were not successful, largely because the City Charter establishes a very high threshold for petition signatures - 15 percent of the votes cast in the last mayoral election. This threshold is among the highest in the nation. It virtually immunizes Honolulu's government against citizen petitions.

Now the City wants to raise that threshold even higher.

The ballot for the upcoming election contains a question about whether or not that threshold should be raised to 15 percent of all registered voters. This is a much higher threshold that would guarantee the failure of citizen petitions, further protecting City government against the wishes of it's own citizens.

At a time when government accountability is very much an issue, this is a blatant attempt to reduce Honolulu government accountability. I urge you to vote NO on this proposal.

Bob Kessler

former Co-Chair, Let Honolulu Vote

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Corruption in American Samoa: A Thank You from Pago Pago

Dear Mr. Walden,

Thank you for your report "The Tsunami and Mufi's Samoan Connection" posted Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in the Hawai’i Free Press.

As we memorialize the many innocent victims on the first anniversary of the catastrophic disaster, we need to reflect upon the events that contributed to the poor state of preparedness which resulted in horrific loss of life. This contemplation starts with corruption at the highest levels of government which led to the suspension of federal funding for emergency alert systems, and the evacuation and preparedness training programs over three and a half years ago. This was followed by the governor’s decision in March of 2007 to lay-off the entire personnel staff of two critical emergency preparedness offices developing territory-wide emergency systems and response protocols; and to seek scapegoats within an atmosphere of federal corruption charges leveled against high government officials.

The failure of federal agencies to monitor US taxpayer funds and their attempts to avoid attracting national attention to their shortfalls (which were eventually exposed by CNN) should also be underscored.

Sadly, the repeated failure of a manipulated legislature to enforce transparency and accountability further condemned the territory to systemic breakdown in governance. We should be reminded that we could have marked and celebrated this occasion with the waling of sirens throughout American Samoa had it not been for corrupt practices, poor decisions, and failed accountability. Let us also be reminded that fraud, waste and abuse in government has severe consequences and we are doomed to repeated tragedy if we do not learn from these lessons.

God bless the many innocent victims of this tragedy and their families. Let the memory of these dark days in American Samoa's history truly lead to a safe, prepared and well governed community. Again, thank you for keeping a focus on the important issue of corruption in American Samoa.

Lei'ataualesa Birdsall V. Ala'ilima (Former American Samoa Director of Homeland Security)

Pago Pago, American Samoa

The following links provide further details concerning corruption and the general lack of preparedness in the territory..

Samoa News:

Pacific Eye Witness:

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Slavery defender says Hawai`i Free Press lacks “integrity”

Dear Editor,

The top story about Abercrombie predicting Aiona's win doesn't make sense, does it? Didn't Hannemann beat Abercrombie, then Saiki beat Hannemann. Hannemann didn't beat Abercrombie this time.

Stretching something someone says in another time an place, and applying it to a different setting doesn't do a lot for your credibility. That's just becoming a journalistic hack with no integrity.

Dr. Kioni Dudley,

Kapolei, Oahu

We at Hawai’i Free Press remain committed to defending Neil Abercrombie’s free speech against his own self-censorship and the censorship of his core supporters. See for yourself: Abercrombie predicts Duke Aiona will be next governor

Speaking of “integrity” here are Dudley’s calls for leniency in the Sou brothers slavery case: Aloun Farms Owners to Be Sentenced -- Why it matters to everyone in Hawaii, The Sting — 2010

And what the NYT says about it: NYT: In an Ugly Human-Trafficking Case, Hawaii Forgets Itself

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Scoutmaster doesn't qualify as "active civic leader"

Editor HFP:

I am writing relative to the posting on the Hawaii Free Press web site entitled Manoa Liberals block Eagle Scout from Neighborhood Board. I was at that neighborhood board meeting and can state for a fact that the published press release is full of distortions, half truths and self serving political rhetoric.

1. Characterizing Zack Thompson as an “active civic leader” is simply not true. By his own admission he had never previously attended a neighborhood board meeting. He also stated that he had not been active in community affairs and had been keeping a low profile because of his position in the international film industry.

2. He did disclose that he was a candidate for political office, but only when he was asked. That fact was not part of his initial presentation of qualifications.

3. It is true that a candidate for political office can be a member of the neighborhood board, but an elected office holder cannot.

From listening to the discussion it was my conclusion that those who opposed Mr. Thompson’s election to the board were concerned by his lack of candor at not initially disclosing that he was a candidate for political office and by the fact that if he was elected he would have to immediately resign from the board. I think that there was also concern that his wanting to become a neighborhood board member was an attempt to beef up his political resume prior to the November election. Mr. Thompson was essentially told that if he is not elected in November to come back and he would be reconsidered for the board seat.

Now, I am an independent voter but if I had to be labeled one or the other, it would probably be Republican and I am about as conservative as they come. If I were on the board I would have voted against Mr. Thompson being on the board. So all of this rubbish about liberal Democrats blocking him from the board is just injecting politics into a situation which is essentially nonpolitical.

Raleigh Ferdun, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Kona Democrats Rally for Aiona-Finnegan

Dear Friends, Oct 6, 2010

This message comes with caution as it’s about a DEMOCRAT supporting a REPUBLICAN candidate. Heavens to mergatroid you say? Yep, I just can’t bring myself to ignore my Christian and moral beliefs to not support Duke Aiona. It’s my firm belief that by sticking with morality and righteousness as my Christian beliefs dictate I am doing the right thing to the benefit of all.

If you don’t agree and wish for me not to bother you with this subject I fully understand and ask you to tell me to delete you from any further information I may gather.

I’ve begun a grass roots coalition titled “DEMSFORDUKE” in hopes of doing my manini bit to help bring some sanity to elected offices. I’m tired of the complainers who do nothing but flap their jaws so I need to do something! I’m looking for a few good people who believe similarly and realize that good will not always prevail unless we get involved.

To this end I’m asking if you would come to the mauka intersection above Costco this Friday October 8, 4-6PM and help me sign wave to show there are people who have similar beliefs.

Please reply to let me know to expect you or not and BRING your own family/friends.

Mahalo for your patience with me in this message as I don’t know your political position although I have high respect for your freedom to believe and express it.

Steve Lopez

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

CVHCKD@aol.com

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Former Planning Commission member questions Laie development plans

Dear Editor,

I have to seriously question the proposal to build a 1,200 home community in Laie. In my experience at the Honolulu City Planning Commission, the "powers to be" in Laie have never supported the City's General Plan for Oahu, and it appears that history is repeating itself.

At the heart of the General Plan (adopted in 1977) is its provision for distribution of Island population that calls for full development of urban Honolulu (the "PUC"), a second city in Ewa, and slow growth in other areas. The pertinent point is that all projected population growth is provided for in the plan. If growth is permitted in slow growth areas such as Laie, then it must be subtracted from the other areas because what you do in one area affects all others. If not, then we would be planning for a population in some areas that is greater than what is forecast to occur.

Aside from questions of water supply, sewage treatment, and highway improvement costs, a large development in Laie would change the overall Islandwide growth plans. It would jeopardize the second city concept and possibly even the T.O.D. (Transit Oriented Development) and the need for the rail system. We should not lose site of the big picture embodied in the General Plan that all levels of government and the private sector have been working to implement since 1977.

Chuck Prentiss, Kailua, Oahu

Retired Former Executive Secretary, Honolulu Planning Commission

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Maui, 32 years later

Aloha,

It is with grave concern that I write this note for it has been 32 years since I had the good luck to call Maui home. Back in September of 1974 when I first arrived on Maui I lived in Lahaina & worked at the old Lahaina Broiler. Last week I returned with my wife for a brief visit. While we were there I was appalled to see what Kapalua has become & just how close their rampant development is to Honolua.

In 1974 the sight that greeted a visitor as one rounded the turn towards Honolua was more than a view – it was a vista. From the top of West Maui’s mountains sweeping down the hillsides to the ocean and across to Molokai, there was nothing in the world to compare to the awesome beauty that the eye beheld. Today that vista is gone & Kapalua’s footprint is dangerously close to Honolua. It makes one wonder when enough is enough? It is for this reason that I will try to do what I can from Rhode Island to help to preserve Honolua and all Hawaiian open spaces for future generations.

Here in RI, we have Narragansett Bay – a gem that many don’t appreciate. It therefore becomes our task to educate people & make them aware of how the natural unspoiled beauty of such places can benefit a local economy without 4 story hotels, townhouses & golf courses chewing up the countryside and shorelines. I will be circulating a non-resident petition here in RI along w/ family & friends in the hope that our small contribution can help to stave off Kapalua’s encroachment on Honolua for generations to come.

“Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono”

Mahalo nui loa,

Michael E. Jolicoeur

Warwick, RI

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Are YOU exporting jobs?

Dear Editor,

One of the most emotionally charged election issues is companies that export jobs overseas.  And yes, there is good reason to be against that.  BUT, first we 
need to look at ourselves as consumers.  The American consumer is the foremost reason that jobs are exported overseas.  Have you and are you buying foreign 
imports?  Did that Toyota in your driveway cost an American Detroit worker his job?  Are we buying too many Sony’s, Samsungs and Panasonics?  
Simply put, when we buy imports we help to export American jobs overseas.  As a foreign company makes money from us, a job is created for a foreign worker.  
Conversely, as an American company loses money because we do not buy the American product, an American job is lost. An American company that hires 
foreign workers does it for the same reasons you buy imported goods – you think it is more economical.  By hiring foreign workers, it is likely that the 
American company can then offer cheaper goods to the American consumer.  It does not make them evil.   Or does it make us evil when we buy foreign goods instead 
of American?

As far as eliminating tax breaks for American companies that export jobs overseas, does that also mean we should eliminate tax credits and deductions for 
Americans that buy foreign products?

Eliminating tax breaks for such companies can be tricky because it will likely make them less viable and therefore cause more layoffs.  One must also consider 
that restricting foreign hiring also makes it more difficult for the American company to compete against the imports that Americans are buying up by the super 
gargantuan cargo shiploads from China.

Leighton Loo
Mililani, Oahu