Cut the pork instead of raising our taxes

The new mantra for the state government seems to be, "Tax and spend, tax and spend."

Last year, our fearless governor announced that our state’s coffers were in good shape. He is even toying with the idea of restoring the depleted Hurricane Fund, which has been systematically looted by our legislators in order to balance the budget.

This year, in keeping with the principles of his party,he istalking about increasing the transient accommodations tax yet again.

I have not heard much conversation from our leaders about cutting unnecessary spending instead of raising taxes. Can we sit back and make an honest effort to review the programs that are not essential for the functioning of the state of Hawaii? An audit of the University of Hawaii systems and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii would reveal a lot of pork. Do away with the inefficiencies and the pork and there would not be any need to increase taxes in any form.

Pradeepta Chowdhury
Hilo

Woman already are in combat roles

Frances Viglielmo’s scathing remarks regarding women in combat ignore the realities of the situation ("Oh, now military welcomes women," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 9).

Military members know that women are already in combat both in Iraq and Afghanistan, performing heroically in support rolesattached to infantry units — facing similar hardships and casualties of war.

The relevant issue under intense debate is that of women being specifically trained to fight in combat alongside men. Army studies have concluded that a woman correctly trained can be as tough as any man. Also, combat duty enhances chances for promotion.

It is absurd to denigrate military men as lower educated, with criminal records, unprecedentedly suicidal and suffering inadequate treatment for PTSD, as the reasons for requiring women in combat. Heated debates among advocates on both sides of the issue are ongoing. Whatever the decision, women trained for combat must not result in a vast social experiment with unacceptable consequences.

James Kyle
Waikiki

Celebrate academic achievements of UH

We need a more Caltech-like approach to sports in our universities. Bill Plascheke’s column reminds us that winning baseball and basketball games need not be the primary public image for colleges ("Struggling Caltech gets 2 for the record books," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 11).

The California Institute of Technology has some of the most defeated college teams in the country. So what! CalTech is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States.

Why do we persist in having a daily sports page that celebrates winning college teams? We should have instead a daily "learning page" that celebrates academic achievements of our universities, colleges, and other research and teaching institutions.

Ben Kerkvliet
Kaimuki

Hire more auditors to save state money

With yet another internal audit of a state agency — this time, the Department of Education — the state has found "unacceptable" oversight, monitoring and accountability of the state’s $92 million school food services programs.

Kudos to the DOE for trying to find and fix a problem.

It seems to me that every time our state government looks under a rock, it finds something. So in this day and age of proposed increased government efficiency, why not hire more auditors statewide?While I’m decidedly against almost any increase in government spending, auditors obviously pay for themselves tenfold and then some in savings and long-term efficiency.

For those who hesitate to increase state government auditing expenses and add another layer of bureaucracy, the statement, "We’re running a $92 million business on 3-by-5 cards," spoken by the school board chairman, should make you think otherwise.

Pat Kelly
Honolulu

Support for teachers was good to see

Recently I wore my red Hawaii State Teachers Association T-shirt to work in my effort to show solidarity and to encourage the governor to put education first.A quick stop at Costco on my way home from work became much more.Five different individuals stopped me to talk about the state of education in Hawaii and to express their concerns, acknowledge the teachers’ frustrations and commend teachers as a whole for doing what we do.

I want to thank those individuals because, as a teacher, I believe I can speak for all of us when I say: We needed that!

Danielle Sellers
Haleiwa

Land board needs member from Kauai

Kauai has been without representation on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources since Ron Agor left in June. Why?

All of Hawaii’s residents are entitled to representation on this, arguably, the most important of the boards and commissions in Hawaii. Decisions on public lands on Kauai are being made by those on other islands with no experience of Kauai. This does not bode well for Kauaians.

Kauai needs a BLNR member now to represent the interests of the environment and the public. Ron Agor served his term representing the interests of private property owners; now it is time to represent public interests, and especially public access issues.

I urge Gov. Neil Abercrombie to appoint such a BLNR member for Kauai without further delay, and I urge the Senate to equally expeditiously render its advice and consent on his nominee.

Richard Spacer
Kapaa, Kauai