Letters to the Editor

Let new school board select superintendent

The state Board of Education should wait to select a new superintendent until after the newly elected board members are seated.

A strong, positive relationship between the school board and its new superintendent is critical for effective school reforms to be successful. The new board members should be involved in the selection of the superintendent, so that the choice belongs to all the board members who will be tasked with working with, and evaluating, the new superintendent.

Foisting the choice of the old board onto the new board members could make the job of the new superintendent much more difficult.

July wastewater spill has had lasting effect

Back on July 30, there was a small article in the Star-Advertiser online entitled "Wastewater spill reaches Wailupe Beach."

I am a regular fisherman at Wailupe and in June and July would catch and release papio, omilu, moi, kaku and aweoweo. I caught something every time I went, until I saw the signs posted of the contaminated water that weekend. Since that day I’ve been back at least twice a week and haven’t caught a thing. I’ve been fishing when the tide is right, the moon is right and no nibbles, no bites, no fish. Seems like all the fish just disappeared. I’m not sure if it was the 4,500 gallons of untreated wastewater or the disinfectant and deodorizer that was used, but the impact of that one day continues months later and the public doesn’t even realize it.

Hannemann better on values and economy

There are differences between the two Democratic candidates for governor. On social issues, Neil Abercrombie is an unabashed supporter of gay marriage. Mufi Hannemann supports traditional marriage and traditional values. Regarding economic issues, Abercrombie’s emphasis on new government spending programs will ultimately result in higher taxes, since the state budget must be balanced. Higher taxes mean less money for consumer spending and hence a worsening of our economy. In contrast, Hannemann seeks to find ways to create new jobs so that Hawaii can emerge from this recession.

Abercrombie will be a leader, not manager

Hawaii’s next governor needs to be a leader, not a manager.

A leader is one who shows the way, guides, directs and inspires. A manager is one who supervises an activity or function and controls the use or action of an enterprise or one of its parts.

It can be said that a good mayor is a good manager. Mufi Hannemann does have managerial experience at the city level, which he says is a major reason why voters should select him over Neil Abercrombie.

On the other hand, Neil has proved time and again that he is a leader. His principled positions and actions throughout his years in public office tell us that he can be trusted to direct and inspire us as Hawaii’s next governor. We deserve no less.

Paper didn’t disclose campaign connection

In endorsing Mufi Hannemann over Neil Abercrombie for governor, the Star-Advertiser is doing a disservice to its readers in not disclosing that members of its board of directors are also members of Hannemann’s campaign committee ("Vote Hannemann and Aiona on to the general," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 5).

Media organizations talk a big game when it comes to transparency and disclosure among subjects they cover. So why didn’t the paper point out that board members Jeff Watanabe and Colbert Matsumoto are also members of Hannemann’s campaign committee? The editorial proved what Neil Abercrombie has been saying all along: If you want the status quo candidate, vote for Hannemann. If you want change, Abercrombie is your choice.

Editor’s note: The board of directors of Oahu Publications Inc., parent company of the Star-Advertiser, does include Jeff Watanabe and Colbert Matsumoto, among others. However, business directors are not involved with editorial decisions; endorsements are made by a separate and independent newsroom editorial board.