Haseko living up to its word, despite changes

In response to Tim Tucker’s commentary, I understand his disappointment ("Hold Haseko accountable for promises made to Ewa Beach community," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov. 10). However, Haseko has over the years become a dedicated partner to our Ewa Beach community.

Haseko has provided major support for numerous community-based volunteer organizations and area schools. Haseko gave twice the amount of land than required for Keoneula Elementary School, both Seagull Schools and the new fire station.

More than just land, Haseko is leaving a legacy by creating two endowment funds — the Ewa Beach Community Fund and the Haseko Training Fund. The Ewa Beach community will enjoy these benefits long after the development has been completed. Haseko did not have to create this fund, yet they did. I’m appreciative and have benefited.

I don’t believe Haseko is breaking promises. I believe it is changing the plans and once again including our community in the planning.

Eileen Lynn
Ewa Beach

Support unwavering for disability center

In response to John P. Dellera’s letter ("Child sex abuse exists here, too," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 16): I do not speak for the Hawaii Disability Rights Center or its board. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mr. Dellera should know the only case brought to the HDRC on this tragedy was handled properly and professionally. The police and the Department of Education were made aware of the circumstances by the professional and dedicated staff at HDRC. I am very proud to be associated with this agency, and the disabled community is fortunate that this agency exists.

Pauline Arellano
Mililani

UC-Davis protesters disobeyed, disruptive

The officer who pepper-sprayed the troublemakers at the University of California-Davis should be commended for his actions; the chancellor should be fired for not expelling students who think they are above the law.

The protesters chose to break the law, to disobey police orders and to resist arrest. They suffered the consequences of their own choice. This is not about free speech or rightfully protesting. Protesting is rightful; trespassing and resisting arrest (passively or actively) are not.

If they want to camp, do it elsewhere legally. If they want to protest, do it without trespassing. If they do not like Wall Street (I don’t either), run for office or vote for like-minded people.

The occupiers are now planning to shut down their campus, thus interfering with the right to an education for the rest of the students. When this happens, I hope the authorities have the backbone to protect the majority from actions of the criminal minority.

Art Whistler
Manoa

Pepper-spray joking on radio not funny

I was shocked when I heard radio celebrities Perry and Price joking about the protesters at the University of California-Davis getting pepper-sprayed by the police. I am a retired law enforcement officer of 26 years, and I was trained that one uses pepper spray only in circumstances for the protection of oneself or others. That doesn’t appear to have been the case at Davis. Pepper spray has been known to cause permanent damage to eyes of people on the receiving end, including police officers going through training. I’ve been on the receiving end, and it’s no fun.

For two well-respected people to joke as if those students deserved it is disgusting.

Dennis Smith
Aiea

Pedestrian bridge needed for students

I drive through Castle Junction going from the Pali Highway to Kamehameha Highway every week and I often see Hawaii Pacific University students, with concerned looks, trying to cross Kamehameha Highway in front of the campus where cars from the junction are accelerating.

They are accidents waiting to happen… and it did. A pedestrian bridge built over Kamehameha Highway in front of HPU and a pedestrian bridge built over Pali Highway at the junction would preclude future pedestrian accidents.

Rodney Inefuku
Hawaii Kai

Blank vote in election can speak volumes

Chuck Cohen’s letter requests an option to vote "None of the Above" on a ballot ("Let people vote for ‘None’," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 7). Voters already have that option. You may leave any or every race blank and deposit your ballot totally blank. A well-trained polling place volunteer, like myself, should ask you if you know your ballot is blank, but it is your right to leave it blank.

Tell candidates they don’t meet your expectations. As one man told me, "Yes, ma’am, that’s what I want to tell ’em — none of the above." So if you claim you don’t vote because the choices stink, let the candidates hear your voice. Your blank vote does count. Blank votes are counted and appear in totals.

Register to vote at http://hawaii.gov/elections/ or use the form in the Yellow Pages phone book.

Anita Manning
Waipahu

Help vital for abused and neglected kids

I would like to commend Chris Benjamin for his commentary ("Reach out and help groups that help children," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Nov 20).

His discussion of the problems of abused and neglected children and their need for community services to assist them to "recover from their experiences and take their place in a productive society" highlighted the need for all of us to support these community services.

I would like to recommend the volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs in Hawaii as one means by which everyday citizens can provide support for these children by becoming an advocate for them during child abuse and neglect court proceedings. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that.

They typically handle one case at a time — and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

Ken Bailey
President, Friends of CASA Hawaii, Kailua

Waikiki business hails APEC coordination

As I look back at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, I am proud of our Waikiki community for its patience and aloha spirit.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is our home and we are its ambassadors of aloha who assist our visitors as they enjoy the activities on Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and Duke’s Pier. For the first time in my 22 years at the Village, we had four presidents and their staffs staying in the hotel, all at the same time.

Our impression of APEC was very positive even though we had to close the surf school and move our catamaran from the pier, as Duke’s Pier became an operations base for the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard.

This was a rare opportunity for our team to work so closely with these agencies.

All in all, we salute the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the APEC Host Committee and Hilton management for making this event a total success in our eyes.

Bob Hampton
President, Waikiki Beach Activities