Letters for Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012

• Sexist language in the charter • Why vote? • Tsunami siren warning was ineffective • In response to Benghazi embassy attacks • OPA works to serve justice • Support for Shaylene • Working together in emergency situations • Close Kalalau • The population bomb

Sexist language in the charter

Judge Valenciano, in his decision regarding the authority of the mayor and the Police Commission, pointed out that, although places in the charter referred to the chief of police as a “he,” the chief of police could be a woman.

Thank you Judge Valenciano for acknowledging that very important point. I wonder if that ever occurred to the mayor when he was appointing his all male Police Commission.

The Charter Commission should be ashamed for their lack of action on the sexist language in the charter.

Such language is an embarrassment to the island and offensive to the girls and women who live here.

Linda Estes

Koloa

Why vote?

I am wondering how the writers of the support letters in The Garden Island come up with the idea as to which candidate is a good choice for the island. They can express their opinion as to which one they like and for what reason, but how can they say that so and so will be good for us? Maybe he or she is good for them, but don’t pretend to know that it is the right choice for our island or our state.

None of the candidates had so far the courage to name the most important issue, which is peace and peaceful coexistence with other nations. Even the presidential candidates avoid it. Instead they talk about wars, attacking Iran, imposing sanctions, punishing other nations. Oh, how much the world will love us for that! They are talking about being or remaining a superpower. A superpower as per the desire of the very rich. They waste millions of dollars on mudslinging and on the theatrical dissecting of their opponents. Thus the contributions to this dirty campaigning is a slap in the face of the millions of disadvantaged people who could be helped with the money if spent on creating jobs for them.

Then let’s see the candidates in Hawai‘i. Isn’t the independence of the Hawaiian nation the most important issue? Do the candidates realize that restoring the full independence of Hawai‘i would revitalize the nation? Or maybe this is what they are afraid of?

And finally back home here on Kaua‘i. There is a lot of talk about the harmful effects of GMO in our food, but why is it that none of the candidates have so far mentioned the simplest solution, namely to introduce a local ordinance prohibiting GMO experiments on our island and selling GMO food here? It would be a good start. Or, perhaps they think that GMO food is good for us? In either case they are cowards because they do not voice their opinion on the subject publicly.

This is what has convinced me not to cast my vote in this election. Why vote for cowards?

János Keoni Samu

Kalaheo

Tsunami siren warning was ineffective

Just back from two wonderful weeks on Kaua‘i. I feel as though I should say something about the tsunami warning system. We were staying at a house at Po‘ipu Kai, actually in the pool, when we heard the sirens.  

The problem was that the sirens were only on for about a minute.

We actually thought it was a test or mistake, until our phone rang, it was the rental agency telling us to leave. Later that evening we were talking to some people staying at Po‘ipu Sands and they never actually heard the sirens.  

I think someone should look into this, thankfully it was not a problem this time.

James Lowe

Palm Springs, Calif.

In response to Benghazi embassy attacks

I don’t normally respond to the ditto head noise, but I found the letter from John Burns on Oct. 28 particularly offensive. What he thought was so “clearly” the Obama administration sitting on its hands while the Benghazi embassy was under attack turns out after preliminary investigation to be a rather rapid response.

The CIA sent a team from their Benghazi office within 25 minutes with a second team from Tripoli coming soon after. I know that family members of the slain embassy workers have asked not to politicize their deaths, so I won’t speculate about how much faster Mr. Burns or any of his preferred candidates would have responded. I will mention what the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey stated when asked about the situation. Please remember it was the anniversary of 9/11 all over the world that day.

Let’s let the investigation continue shall we?

Allan White

Hanapepe

OPA works to serve justice

For the citizens of Kaua‘i who have fear for the safety of themselves, their families and their friends from robbery, bodily harm or even death, the Oct. 30 front page story on The Garden Island that a possible cold case murderer has been arraigned must allow them to sleep easier at night.

The work and effort spent by KPD and our Prosecutors Office to bring this individual to justice is certainly rewarding and took untold hours of teamwork by KPD and the OPA to make it happen.

As TGI reported, it was too bad that the 5th Circuit Court forced Prosecuting Attorney Iseri-Carvalho to spend more of her valuable time getting the State Supreme Court to move the hearing forward and stop further delay with the case. But she and her crew prevailed at the highest level and it appears that justice will finally be served.

Again, it is reassuring to know that we have Chief Perry and his officers and Prosecuting Attorney Iseri-Carvalho and her team working in tandem to keep our Island safe. The 93 percent conviction rate that has been compiled under their leadership is still climbing.

Ken Taylor

Kapa‘a

Support for Shaylene

I support Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho I just wanted to say mahalo nui loa Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho for all you and your office has done for me. You were there for me when I was a traumatized 10 year old and you were there for me this year to overcome a mishap against me.  

Thank you for believing in me. My family and I believe in you! We support you 100 percent.  

Dillon Kane

‘Ele‘ele

Working together in emergency situations

What was most disconcerting about the tsunami-alert experience on Oct. 28 was the fact that an early morning news broadcast that morning brought attention to the fact that an earthquake had occurred, but it did not indicate the need to post a tsunami warning.  

There was no follow-up all day of anything of any disastrous effects in the immediate area where the earthquake occurred or of any areas close by where any tsunami-type action had been generated.

Then suddenly, around 7 p.m., over 12 hours later, the “scrambling” started! First, a bulletin over TV stations to check what was being flashed on Channel 6; then a series of “mixed messages” that followed, depending on who was contacted and in what manner and style.

I am not blaming anyone. I am concerned, however, about whether we, at the grassroots level, need to do more in getting ourselves organized — as neighborhoods, as churches and/or schools, as communities — in any ways possible to become responsible in how we can take care and account for one another. That’s where we should be placing some of our efforts.  

We can’t continue leaving up to the officials to get organized in our behalf. It would help tremendously for us to be a part of the solution and not merely pointers of the problem.  

Jose Bulatao Jr.

Kekaha

Close Kalalau

There are plenty of beautiful places to hike on Kaua‘i. No one needs to hike Kalalau and, especially, take a kid. The erosion has hidden holes and slippery paths that are risking rescue teams’ lives as well.

I heard on a scale it’s one of the most dangerous hikes in the world now. Stay out or it will be closed.

A very good idea.

Barbara Beissert

Kilauea

The population bomb

In the past 50 years in the U.S.A., we have instituted abortion and birth control. We have created information and programs about sexual activity and its results, which are presently available in most schools and on the Web. If our society had not done this, we would be overwhelmed with a population many times our present number of 350 million people. Most of our population is located in large cities such as Honolulu, which are dysfunctional. Apply this trend to our planet and we are a “population bomb.” The results of this over population are apparent.

Lama Tashi

Kapa‘a