PLDC offspring needs scrutiny

Newly elected Sens. Russell Ruderman and Laura Theilen should be applauded for their cautious scrutiny of Senate Bill 215, the Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) offspring of the deviously constructed, doomed Public Land Development Corp. now progressing through this Legislature ("New development authority OK’d," Star-Advertiser, March 8).

These freshmen lawmakers were rebuked by Sens. Donovan Dela Cruz and Malama Solomon for their genuine concerns. It was Dela Cruz and Solomon who rammed the original PLDC through while the Legislature slept.

Solomon said, "Be proud of who we are.Make this state the most beautiful it can be." How can this be done by adopting her "damn the consequences" approach, by ignoring environmental and zoning laws in existence for decades?

Bullying should never be the modus operandi for a democracy. PPPA must be watched carefully.

Moanike‘ala Akaka
Hilo

GMOs are good? Then label them

In the Sunday Star-Advertiser, James Brewbaker wrote an interesting letter about the non-scientific validity of GMO hysteria ("Hysteria over GMOs not scientifically valid," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 10).

Let’s assume for the moment that he is absolutely and positively correct.

For one, if GMOs pose no health threat whatsoever, why have they been banned in more than 20 countries and, two, why would the GMO creators have any objection whatsoever to label them? My goodness, if they are so good and they are labeled, people will come in droves to buy them once they know what and where they are.

Could it be the fact that they are so adamant about not labeling GMOs is the reason that people are not clamoring for it now?

If GMO products are so good, they should put their money where their mouths are and label them.

Hesh Goldstein
Hawaii Kai

Sen. Paul not afraid to offend

Under-represented Americans have wandered the political wilderness, abandoned for more than a decade. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s reprise of a genuine filibuster (a la "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington") was as welcome as cool water in the desert.

He is the vanguard of a new wave of Republicans who are not afraid to fight for principle for fear of offending someone.

Not only did several young turks help their Kentucky colleague sustain his filibuster, but his courage drew support across the political spectrum.

Perhaps this indicates a pent-up thirst for clarity and principle rather than the droning shibai of those pretending to represent anything other than extending their own cushy stay in the plush halls of power.

Stale RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) reacted with the speed of a scalded cat questioning Paul’s motives, pretending not to understand the clear question he raised about the the executive branch’s misuse of power.

Thomas E. Stuart
Kapaau

Devices promote illegal gambling

Kudos to U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi for stepping up and ruling that gambling devices seized by the Honolulu Police Department in September at some of those "sweepstakes" arcades are illegal.

Hopefully, this is the beginning of the removal of all these devices, which have plagued our bars in Kailua, Honolulu and Kalihi and on the Leeward Coast.

It’s amazing to see people waiting their turn on these devices apparently to win a toaster or stuffed animal.

Let’s see if our Liquor Commission can do its job and start citing these bars for the violations and refer the citations to HPD to enforce or confiscate these illegal gambling devices.

If we want gambling in Hawaii, let’s do it the right way, through legislation.

Randy Burnett
Kaneohe

Legislators timid on racist slurs

Cynthia Oi’s column explains away state Rep. Faye Hanohano’s racist remarks as a local thing and shame on you if you threw the first stone ("Song’s racial commentary offer sweet-sharp views," Star-Advertiser, Under the Sun, March 7).

However, what’s surprising is not seeing more of our leaders calling for Hanohano to resign.

Our leaders have fought stereotypical comments by outsiders. They ranted about Michael Savage and Bill O’Reilly, Saturday Night Live and Scott Caan. Yet U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono say nothing about Hanohano’s "Japs" comment.

I wonder what U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye would have said?

Sadly, maybe Hawaii hasn’t progressed from the "Mr. Sun Cho Lee" days of the 1970s. Rod Tam uttered "wetbacks," then claimed ignorance.

And like Tam, Hanohano walked away slightly stung but unpunished.

Maybe stereotypes about Hawaii should be left to mainlanders, where their comments will be held in contempt. When locals make them, many, like Oi, rush to excuse them, and our leaders ignore them.

Marco Garcia
Downtown Honolulu

Election funding good for Hawaii

Thank you for covering the Clean Elections bill, House Bill 1481.

I’m tired of seeing how campaign contributions influence our political process, and I am excited to see this happening in Hawaii.

HB 1481 would overhaul our outdated partial public funding system. It would allow dedicated citizens to seek public office on the basis of their ideas, not status, wealthy donors or political action committees.

Paul McKimmy
Manoa

Makaha project has risky flaw

Makaha Beach, a sparkling gem on Oahu’s West Side, has a flaw that could be fatal to beach-going families who are forced to cross Farrington Highway to reach the shower and bath house from the beach.

The 1997 Master Plan calls for Farrington Highway to veer inland around the bath house and outrigger canoe hut at Makaha. It’s been more than 15 years, but the state Department of Transportation has not moved forward.

The area is a combination of city, state and trust property that makes building the highway complicated — not impossible. There is a $20 million project to replace two bridges before the beach. That project must include moving the roadway inland of the beach.

I commend the growing public support. More than 50 sign-wavers gathered on Friday to get a petition before our DOT and political leaders to do the right thing for Makaha Beach.

John and Rita Shockley
Makakilo

Use ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Warrior’

Maybe it’s time for some affluent University of Hawaii alumnus or affluent fans to approach Athletics Director Ben Jay and see if he would accept a certain amount of monetary donations to bring back the "Rainbow Warrior" name.

Maybe a fund drive could be started.

Thomas M. Higashida
Hilo