Not voting can mean ‘no’ in some cases
On Tuesday (and earlier) we exercised one of the great American freedoms — the right to vote. But you should also have the right not to vote.
For example, half of the ballots were blank for the election of Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees. It’s likely many voters decided to leave this issue to those with Hawaiian ancestry.
For the proposed amendments to the state Constitution, 10 percent of the ballots were blank. But here you do not have the right not to vote. According to state law, blank ballots on constitutional amendments are counted as "no" votes.
It’s likely many of the undecided voters were unaware that they were casting "no" votes. If only marked ballots were considered, both amendments would have passed decisively, 49 percent to 40 percent, instead of being defeated.
The state law to count blank ballots as "no" votes should be repealed as restricting a voter’s freedom. Otherwise, ballots should clearly warn that when considering constitutional amendments, blank ballots count as "no" votes.
Edward Conklin
Waikiki
How to write us
The Star-Advertiser welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (~150 words). The Star-Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number.
Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@staradvertiser.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813
|
Ballot shortages must not happen again
Thank you for a much-needed analysis ofour own, local brand of "voter suppression" by people who have miscalculated ("Miscalculation led to ballot shortages," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 8).
The number of ballots needed in Hawaii’s elections should not be an excuse. Just print as many ballots as we have eligible voters and recycle the leftovers. Period.
There are major victims in this missing-ballots tragedy: volunteerism and enthusiasm to participate in democracy. We, the unpaid grass-roots workers, reach out to every possible voter, knock at doors, wave signs, write letters, telephone and register new voters with the promise that democracy is working.
We have been betrayed by such incompetency, which is supported by our taxes. New and old voters, frustrated by long waits, turn away and may never come back. Many volunteers may decide not to return.
There should not bea"next time" for those responsible for this disaster. It is too costly for democracy. It does not matter whom you wanted to vote for and could not.
Ulrike Siddiqi
Hawaii Kai
Oil costs will make mass transit popular
Americans are in denial of the problems facing the world’s oil supply. We all think abundant oil is forever. This is not true. And it is showing in the price at the pump.
World demand for oil is rising rapidly, and there are few new sources of oil left. In the future, we will only see large increases in the price of gasoline and diesel.
Rail is not a cheap solution, but we only have to look at the Europeans and the Japanese. They’ve always had a lot of incentives to move away from petroleum-based transportation fuels and they haven’t been able to do it. Instead, they have had to invest in oil-conservation measures.
In the future, more of us will not be able to afford to drive our cars to work every day, and we will have to use public transportation for this purpose.
Ryan Matsuda
Honolulu
International Market Place is a landmark
My wife and I read your paper while vacationing in Waikiki last month.
We were especially interested in the article about the Waikiki planning conference for the next 20 years. The picture with the article featuring the International Market Place made us wonder about its future. It is a landmark part of Waikiki that we and other tourists have enjoyed for nearly 30 years. We hope it is not going to be significantly changed. The sidewalk entertainment along the mauka side of Kalakaua Avenue is also a significant part of Waikiki night life, and hopefully will remain so.
James Faulkner
Salem, Ore.
Victory was hollow for mayoral victor
There is a fundamental principle in life that states that the means to an end are more important than the end itself. It is a principle that should be preached from every church pulpit. When this principle is adhered to, then a victory can rise to the level of a triumph.
There was no triumph in Honolulu’s mayoral election this year. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano was smeared by his opponent’s supporters. Although Cayetano lost the election, he won the respect and admiration of many people who value dignity. In the end, truth and justice will prevail.
Carlino Giampolo
Kakaako
Fundraising success not the issue at UH
Oh dear, am I finding fault with Hawaii’s senior senator? Yes!
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye threw his not inconsiderable clout behind University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood. His reason: Fundraising efforts for UH were "particularly successful" under Greenwood’s administration.
Raising money is fine. How it is spent at UH is the problem.
Why are UH costs to students at an all-time high, including fees to fund sports events? Why is the UH president’s house unoccupied and a money pit? Why is the UH president living in Waikiki? Last and not least, why is incompetence rewarded with job shuffling?
Getting funding is part of the problem. How it is spent is so much more important.
Sandy Brown
Kailua
Please help victims of Superstorm Sandy
How can we watch the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy on television and not be touched by the pain and suffering it has caused? We can all chip in to help our neighbors on the East Coast, who have lost so much. Their survival is at stake.
No matter how much we have to struggle in our daily lives, it can never match up to the pain and losses they have just gone through.
Please pick up your phone and call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make a donation to help our neighbors who are desperately in need of our help.
Cecilia Graybeal
Makiki
Some vehicle owners have no right to gripe
The Star-Advertiser articles about our high gas prices are always informative, and it is important for people to know where gas prices are headed.
Most articles include a story of somebody affected by high gas prices. I do sympathize with people struggling financially, but does it almost always have to be someone driving expensive, gas-guzzling SUVs or trucks ("Isles predicted to top nation in gas prices for next 8 years," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 7)?
After years of high gas prices, people still driving those kinds of cars should not be given a platform to complain anymore. In today’s economy, is it so hard to find someone to interview who is really struggling, and not people who can afford $50,000 cars but then do not have any money left to fill up the tank?
Philipp Jund
Waikiki
North Shore beauty marred by windmills
When you drive by the North Shore ready to hit the water and enjoy the beauty of the North Shore, do you turn to the mauka side and admire the dozens of windmills in your way? I know I don’t.
Instead of wasting money on "energy-saving" windmills for the North Shore, how about we improve it without harming the North Shore?
One way that we could stop these windmills from being put up is to start a petition. Maybe we could stop these windmills from damaging the beauty of the North Shore even more.
There is plenty that everyday citizens like you and I can do to stop these windmills. Don’t wait; it’s time to save the North Shore!
Hannah Dazzeo
Mililani