Immigration good, if it’s done legally

A recent article in the Star-Advertiser describing Mazie Hirono working herself up from immigrant to U.S. senator was a testament to determination ("Hirono seeks fair deal for immigrant women," Star-Advertiser, June 21).

However, because the story was in the context of the Senate vote on immigration, the article should also have mentioned that Hirono and her mother entered legally within the quotas for Japanese nationals set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

Because entry of Japanese nationals was limited, the future senator and her mother had to stand in line and wait their turn. Hirono did, was successful and is an example of how things can be done within the law. Notwithstanding the Senate vote, you should note these facts in one of your issues.

Mervin Ahana
Moanalua

Support ag with deeds, not words

Gov. Neil Abercrombie says, "I really believe that Hawaii agriculture is going to take a premier position in the world economy" ("Governor clears measure to market Hawaii products," Star-Advertiser, June 27).

Wouldn’t it be grand if that sweeping statement was backed by policy that allowed agriculture to flourish? Instead, our best agriculture lands are slated for growing single-family subdivisions.

By the way, the state Constitution stipulates the preservation of ag lands. Auwe.

Rike Weiss
Niu Valley

MECO must fix customer service

The Public Utilities Commission’s partial denial of Maui Electric’s proposed rate increase was very timely. For way too long, MECO has not been accountable to its customers to provide excellent sevice at reasonable costs. The PUC is telling MECO to not expect to be rewarded for mediocre service and continually increasing electrical rates.

MECO falls way short of being a consumer-friendly business. Customers are aggressively searching for ways to reduce their electric bills, decrease the island’s dependence on fossil fuels and embracing the increasing options for alternate energy production.

The PUC is challenging MECO to do a better job of implementing cost savings using technology and improving customer service. MECO needs to embrace alternative energy solutions and be part of the process to utilize more green energy instead of putting up road blocks. They also need to see where efficiencies and technology can benefit consumers with lower electrical rates.

Jamie Woodburn
Kula, Maui

Phoenix officer a miracle worker

Reading about Guillermo Arrubla’s heroic feat to rescue a swimmer in distress brought tears to my eyes ("Phoenix police officer saves swimmer in peril," Star-Advertiser, June 24).

That Arrubla’s common sense, compassion and life experience kicked in within seconds for him to risk his life was a miracle. A thousand blessings to him!

Since he was a visitor here, I hope restaurants and his hotel comped his bill.

Mary Siegert
Aiea

NSA powers corrupt those who use it

For anyone complacent about National Security Agency’s interception and potential reading of all of our communications, allow me to invoke the memory of J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its predecessor from 1924 until his death in 1972.

During Hoover’s tenure, and especially after World War II and during the McCarthy era, he was the most terrifying and powerful official in Washington, D.C. Why? Because he gathered and knew, or was feared to know, all the dirty personal secrets of government officials in the capital — a place then which could scarcely compete with the corruption of today. Whatever Hoover wanted from presidents and Congress, he got until the day he died in office.

Now, just imagine the extraordinary power of second-generation quantum computers of the present (leap years beyond early 21st-century computing power) "hoovering" and analyzing all of our personal data.

As Lord Acton warned, "power corrupts, while absolute power corrupts absolutely" — perhaps the only law of nature concerning humanity.

David Ericson
Nuuanu

Vehicle costs go up, but income doesn’t

Each year as my vehicle of 13 years becomes older, its value goes down due to depreciation. However, as its value decreases, the city’s registration fee increases, and may soon become higher than what I can sell my vehicle for.

The city says these fees are necessary for road maintenance. With the thousands of vehicles in Honolulu alone, how much money is generated by the registration fees? The city also claims that the cost of materials, equipment and labor has gone up.

Yes, everything has gone up, especially our cost of living. As a senior citizen who retired 22 years ago, I had not a single penny increase in my pension or for my cost-of-living allowances.

Philip Ho
Downtown Honolulu

Reform needed for Democratic Party

The Democrats need to think outside the box for elections especially.

President Dwight Eisenhower, although a military leader, warned us about the "military-industrial complex." See how this particular complex has affected so much of American politics, economics, and sociology.

Eisenhower also warned that those who use their privileges to hold onto power usually end up losing both.

What worries me is that the Democratic Party may eat itself alive. Vigorous campaign reforms should have been introduced after the last election.

Peter T. Coleman Jr.
Makiki