During a serious recession and a heavy budget deficit, like right now, could we just outlaw the teachers’ and government-employees’ unions? Their obscene benefits and grotesque demands would simply have to be eliminated–at least temporarily. OK, legislators, if you… [»Read]
Regarding Ms. Xian’s letter claiming that I am misinforming the public, the report I quoted was by the Department of Human Services Social Services Division to the Legislature made in May of 2008. If people think they are a less reliable source then Ms. Xian they should… [»Read]
Gee, Ms. LaFrance, Rail Editor-in-Chief, Terrance Ware sounds like such a neat guy (“Development orientation,” 2/17)! Such a breath of fresh air in the middle of the stale rail debate! What a neat conversation you had with him! So neat I didn’t even need to know who… [»Read]
This year, I find the rabble-rousers around local politics to be of the theocratic nature, rather than that of political consciousness. HB 444 was the first victim, and now, the issue of gambling is in the crosshairs of the same moral lynch mob. Hawaii is in a state of… [»Read]
Tracy Ryan’s stats [“Red light,” 2/10] from the Hawaii Ant-Trafficking Task Force are wrong because the task force’s findings were wrong. In 2008, there were 300 children in Honolulu (just Honolulu) at high risk for sex trafficking. Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery… [»Read]
When asked about the impact of civil unions on tourism, [“The Big Picture,” 2/10] Governor Lingle’s tourism liaison, Marsha Wienert, dismissed a domestic demographic that spends more than $60 billion annually on travel, as a “distraction.” No wonder Hawaii has… [»Read]
Honolulu’s beauty is its major income producer. If most of the architects of Honolulu are against the elevated tracks and stations of the proposed rapid transit because it will diminish this resource, we better pay attention, because it will be here forever! The construction… [»Read]
The Land Use Commission met for the sixth time in two years to hear Defend Oahu Coalition’s motion for an Issuance to Show Cause for Failure to Perform to Kuilima Resort Company on Thursday. They once again hid from the issue and moved to continue the case: a waste… [»Read]
It is time to repeal the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding gays in the military. If a soldier is willing to put his or her life on the line to serve and defend this country, sexual orientation is irrelevant. There are no sexists in foxholes. The content… [»Read]
The majority of the gays and lesbians I have met in Hawaii live their lives in fear of what will happen if others find out, and so they would never speak out openly in favor of Legislation that would give them rights. It won’t protect them from the violence and hatred… [»Read]
If only Hawaii were as fair-minded as Mexico City and all the other countries around the world that respect and honor their LGBT citizens. For 14 years, working for equal rights for my gay son and friends has been my focus. Everything that happens is seen through my eyes… [»Read]
Over half a century ago, Executive Order 9066 snatched Americans of Japanese ancestry from their homes, livelihoods and dignity. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the incarceration in Korematsu v. United States, noting, “We are not unmindful of the hardships imposed… [»Read]
The role of the banks in the massive and unpopular expansion plan at Turtle Bay Resort has been particularly interesting. After purchasing the distressed property for pennies on the dollar, mainland vulture-fund Oaktree Capital took out approximately $400 million in speculatory… [»Read]
Contrary to what Matapuna Mailo (Letters, 2/3) would have you believe, there are some “facts” misstated. • The “attack” on Sen. Gabbard was an 80-year-old man who poked him in the chest when challenged by Gabbard. • Those who wrote the U.S. Constitution were… [»Read]
I sympathize with Matapuna Mailo’s situation (Letters, 2/3). However, she has been lied to. “Supporters and adherents to traditional marriage” were never targeted by supporters of HB 444. The bill was intended to supply an alternative to anyone who could not be married… [»Read]
