Letters for Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012

• Support the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts • Hawai‘i needs Lingle • President Obama’s sister • OPA is doing its job • Preventing ‘speedy ants’ from spreading • Get out and vote

Support the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

On behalf of my organization’s board, we respectfully urge Gov. Abercrombie’s administration to support funding for the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Biennium Grant Program. We ask that his administration rescind any decisions or actions that would impose additional cuts to HSFCA’s already reduced Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

In Fiscal Year 2012, HSFCA Biennium Grant Program recipients, were informed that Biennium Grant amounts would be reduced by 60 percent. This reduction, which came with no forewarning, was a difficult financial blow. But, adversely affected organizations adapted as best as they could in the circumstances.

HSFCA staff has recently informed us that, not only will the 60 percent reduction in Biennium Grant funding continue into Fiscal Year 2013, even further budget cuts are anticipated. HSFCA staff admitted that grant funding was sinking to its lowest level in 20 years, and that they had never seen it lower. The prospect of additional cuts midway through the biennium poses serious financial challenges for all nonprofit organizations that rely upon HSFCA and its statutory mission of furthering culture, the arts and the humanities. Such cuts are especially disheartening given recent news regarding the recovering economy and improvements in State revenues and budget balances.  

HSFCA funding is a very small portion of the State budget, but those dollars accomplish much good.  

The arts foster creativity, expand our capacity to imagine, enliven our lives and communities, lift our spirits and re-energize our economy.

Robert Pollock

Kula

Hawai‘i needs Lingle

Hawai‘i needs former Gov. Linda Lingle in the U.S. Senate. She has a public record of accomplishments working in bi-partisan partnership to get things done. Gridlock has blocked work in the U.S. Congress. Lingle is no rubber stamp. She will use all her experience and expertise to find bipartisan solutions.

As a Republican on the Maui County Council, Linda Lingle was elected for five terms, serving 10 years. Lingle was then elected Mayor of Maui County for two terms, eight years. Against all odds, she won two terms, eight years, as the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i.

How did she win in a Democratic state? Former Gov. Lingle has consistently demonstrated a high degree of integrity, competence, dedication and excellence in communication through her 26 years of elected office.

Fact: A teacher/HSTA leader told me the union chose to use school days for furloughs in the contract as a strategy to cause parents to protest the governor to cancel the furloughs on school days. HSTA drew the contract provisions, not the governor. HSTA leaders, show exemplary behavior in honesty, please.

Fact: Gov. Lingle respects the neighbor island residents’ right to meet both candidates and hear them debate on their own islands. By showing up for public forums, Lingle demonstrates she cares about the people of the neighbor islands.

Jobs: Gov. Linda Lingle has the endorsement of the national as well as most of the local Chambers of Commerce because of her vigorous support for small businesses. She understands that small business provides over 80 percent of the local jobs. See www.lingle2012.com and Maui cable channel LL12.

We can trust Gov. Lingle to use her experience and skills to secure bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate for the benefit of the people of Hawai‘i.  

Susan Okuna Lussier

Retired D.O.E. teacher

Pu‘unene

President Obama’s sister

There was a Democratic rally at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Puhi on Oct. 20. President Obama’s sister was the keynote speaker, other prominent Democrats present were the legendary Senior U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and a host of local and state politicians.

I met president Obama’s sister (Maya Soetoro Ng), and she graciously talked story and posed for photos with my dog named Obama and myself. She thought it was cute I named my dog Obama. Maya has high energy and is a great ambassador not only for her brother but for the entire Democratic Party. I felt like I was in the company of a rock star, her charisma and energy was the high point of the rally.

I started thinking, Maya is introduced as President Obama’s sister, the local paper headlines President Obama’s sister, the emails and social media inviting people to this event all called Maya President Obama’s sister. Speaking with attendees at the rally everyone called Maya, President Obama’s sister. Why is it Maya is always President Obama’s sister? Is it her name is to hard to pronounce and remember (Maya Soetoro Ng)? After-all most westerners don’t know how to pronounce “Ng” — I don’t. Or is it we are so star struck with name recognition?

I have a sister, how would she like it if every time she want somewhere she was introduced as my sister, or how about if every time I want somewhere I was addressed as my sister’s brother? How would any of you like it?

I thought hard about this and when Maya left the auditorium where she spoke. I said, “great meeting you Maya,” and she said looking away from me and eyes clued on my dog, “nice meeting you Obama,” and told me I am a great dad to my dog.

I guess there’s nothing wrong with being known as Obama’s dad, I now understand the concept of being President Obama’s sister, not that there’s anything wrong with it.

(Obama’s Dad)

James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapa‘a

OPA is doing its job

In Mr. Chaquette’s letter of 10/15/12 “Iseri-Carvalho would convict herself,” he insinuates with no example or fact that Ms. Carvalho “committed a crime since she has a 93 percent conviction rate of the cases that she and her fine staff have prosecuted.” How is it a “crime” to do the job you were elected to do?

Yes, the OPA claims to have convicted 93 percent of the cases they prosecuted. You claim that 75 percent of those convictions “were plea bargains or reduced sentencing etc.”

No matter how many cases were plea bargained or reduce sentenced, they were still convictions — a case is either a conviction or a dismissal. Many times the prosecutor must either plea bargain, go for a reduced sentence or watch the accused go free and it is a no brainer which course to take.

He says he has a question for me, but in fact he has three.

Regarding your question, “Is it possible that some of Ms. Carvalho’s convictions were done to innocent people?” With DNA evidence now widely used it is unlikely (though always possible) that the innocent will be wrongly convicted.

But the police, the defense attorney, the OPA, and the judge and jury are all part of the process so if a mistake is made the blame cannot be placed on any party. A response seems unwarranted to the other questions.

The OPA is doing its job so let them continue their fine work.

Maybe, Mr. Chaquette, it would be wiser for you to attend our council meetings so that you will be able to better judge what is happening with our local government instead of making unsubstantiated remarks about our dedicated people like Ms. Carvalho.

Glenn Mickens

Kapa‘a

Preventing ‘speedy ants’ from spreading

What are we going to do about the speedy ants?  

That’s what I call the tiny red ants swarming the Ha‘ena side of the Hanakapiai Stream. They move like maniacs!

They’ve been there for a few years already and are getting worse. It’s amazing that they haven’t crossed the stream and infected the rest of the trail yet.

These ants climb onto whatever they can and now that trail repair efforts are under way, they could easily hitch rides on equipment and spread!

I am writing with the hope that fast action can be taken to protect the trail and all of Kaua‘i from the spread of this probably invasive species before it’s too late.

Janet Hull

Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Get out and vote

Every decision that we have ever made since childhood has had consequences. What we say, what we do, has always had an affect on someone or something.

Now, in this election year, we are all faced with yet another decision. Are we content? Are we truly satisfied with the way we are all being represented? Do we believe we have the best representation possible? If not, change needs to be made. Sadly, change doesn’t happen on its own. People, you! Me, us. We must all recognize that it is we who can make change happen.

At times, we are not content with the way things are and don’t know the reason why. We want change, but we don’t do anything different to allow change to take place. We hope things will turn out all right and get frustrated when they don’t. Reaching out for new goals and ideas will require change.

Make a difference, make a decision, make that vote.

Earl Morton

Lihu‘e