MICHELLE WIE

GOLFER WISE TO SEIZE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES

Michelle Wie is a positive role model for Hawai'i's youth. There is no set path for success and she is wise to follow the golden path while she is given the opportunity to do so. Continuing her educational goals can also fit in as she matures.

Good choice, and good luck Michelle! Hawai'i is proud of your decision to turn pro and shine your beacon on our state. You are a shining star.

ALL THAT SHE DOES COMES FROM THE HEART

Friday's letter by Carlino Giampolo regarding Michelle Wie and heart definitely raised my blood pressure. The presumptions and conclusions in the letter were incongruous with the character and maturity Michelle has demonstrated publicly so consistently and graciously over the many years we have watched her grow.

Giampolo's letter seemingly perpetuates a self-absorbed reflection about his experiences and refuses to acknowledge the possibility that what we saw of Michelle on television turning professional is exactly what she is — yes, "from the heart." Not prepackaged and preprogrammed as implied, but the real deal.

In addition, to state that only adults can meaningfully give back to the community is patronizing and demeaning to Michelle's extreme generosity and genuine concern for her fellow citizens in distress.

She is not a drone, or some vacuous mannequin, but an insightful, talented individual who brings motivation and pride to our youth. From her own community she deserves much better than what was said in Giampolo's letter.

BUDGET 'SURPLUS'

SCHOOLS DESPERATELY NEED REPAIR FUNDING

How dare anyone say, "We're blessed with nearly a half-billion-dollar surplus," and in the same breath walk away from direct responsibility to adequately budget for, fund and fix our schools.

Simply stated, we don't have a surplus, we have a deficit school system without needed allocations to repair brick and mortar and equip our schools with necessary supplies and computers. We have the opportunity to do the "right thing" now and into the future by putting available funds where they are so desperately needed.

For as long as I've lived here, our educational system has lacked adequate funding and our children have suffered. Now is the time to say, "No more." Fair warning to all those who want to continue to play politics with our children's education and future: Your constituencies will have a long memory.

PRISONS

TELL TAXPAYERS WHY WE SHOULD HELP CRIMINALS

OK, you're against mandatory sentencing, private prisons or long prison terms. You use the "children" argument, citing the effects upon inmates' children.

These people who commit violent crimes are model parents? PTA, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters or Sunday school are factored into their schedules? Shock!

Inmates are not contributing financially to the family. When you are addicted to drugs, diapers and milk are secondary to the drug. Come on! These families are not already receiving public assistance?

I have an idea. Why doesn't your staff start a "Care for a Con" program? Take a criminal and move them into your home, taking responsibility for them. I am sure your personal caring and compassion can make a difference.

You want the taxpayers to pay for some of your schemes? Lead the way in showing how it will work. Once you prove that your idea works, the rest of us will follow.

I doubt that will happen. You will just continue to demand more money from the taxpayers, without any responsibility; either on the part of governments or, more importantly, the individual.

HARRIET MIERS

LESSON STILL NOT LEARNED

Regarding Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers' "thin record," former FEMA Director Michael Brown's failure should have taught us that vital national positions must be filled by qualified candidates ... not political friends with limited relevant experience.

EPA

PROGRESS MADE ON ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

With the recent announcement of the state Department of Transportation's consent decree settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, we like to point out that our department had already begun implementing programs and policies the past 2 1/2 years to comply with environmental laws.

Our administration agrees with the EPA that the environmental violations between 1995 and 2002, prior to our coming into office, are unacceptable. At the start of my tenure as transportation director, this department met with the EPA to see how these long-standing issues could be resolved. Since then, we have made progress and necessary changes to help prevent these violations from occurring again.

Changes made or that are in the works include: