Letters To The Editor

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July 27, 2011 - MidWeek

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No airport aloha

Regarding Rick Hamada’s column, “Things to Learn from California,” here’s my version: “How to Make Things Mo Betta in Hawaii Nei.” Let’s start with the surly, lack-of-aloha greeting (I use that term loosely) from workers at the exit toll booths at the airport. Sometimes we don’t even get a nod, grunt or, heaven forbid, eye contact.

What an awful introduction to our island paradise, and how simple this would be to change. A couple of hours of social skills training would do it. Unfortunately, it’s been like that for far too many years. AUWE! Who’s in charge here?

BB Fuller
Honolulu

HSTA mistakes

When the dust clears, teachers will finally realize how ill-served they have been by the head of the HSTA.

First, refusing to reach an agreement (in more than two years of negotiations) for drug testing, that the teachers voted for in the last contract. And he complains the State is negotiating in bad faith?

Second, choosing teaching days for furloughs, instead of preparation days as in the current implemented contract. HSTA knew parents would be upset and wanted to send a message to the governor, thereby hoping to put pressure on legislators to increase funding. They used their allies on the elected school board and BOE chairman to further this point, but it backfired, causing myself, and a majority, to vote for a governor- nominated school board, to level the playing field.

Third, lecturing the Legislature and alienating many legislators in the process.

Fourth, lecturing the governor by saying HSTA got him elected. I believe my vote and many others’ also helped get the governor elected. Well, that and my opposition to a Republican theocracy.

Arrogance and a claim of superiority and entitlement wear thin in hard financial times. It will be up to the teachers to see if they prefer someone who is reasonable and respectful or continue with the same. For myself, I believe Mr. Okabe has lost them much sympathy and needed support.

Peter Chisteckoff
Mililani Mauka

Steering left

Bob Jones’ column “The Quirks Of American Politics” crossed the line, driving into the ditch on the left side of the road. His condescending remarks pertaining to the South and the Midwest were both revealing of his attitude as well as being patently false.

How does he explain how people in the heartland pull together after tornadoes and floods? We “Bible thumpers” pull together in disaster without regard to sect or creed.

Connie Severin
Waipahu

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