LANDLINES

CELL USERS SHOULD CARE ABOUT HAWTEL FUTURE

This is addressed to all cell-phone users, many of whom apparently could not care less what happens to Hawaiian Telcom.

I am not a telecommunications engineer, but it is my understanding that all cell phones connect to the landline system through an antenna usually less than five miles away from wherever the cell-phone user is. That simple fact means that no cell phone will work if the landline system shuts down.

So you cell-phone users who don't care better start caring.

Hawaiian Telcom has created many of its problems by itself, and I am not speaking in defense of them. It is my opinion, however, that they are improving in the service arena.

Their financial problems are the main cause of their dilemma now. Part of this is the departure of numerous landline customers to cell-phone companies. That is their right, but I wonder if those cell-phone companies are paying a fair price to Hawaiian Telcom for providing the essential land-line service without which the cell phones won't work.

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

CONFUSING DECISION BY GOV. LINDA LINGLE

I'm confused. Two months ago, as the economic collapse was gathering steam, Gov. Linda Lingle took time off from her job to campaign for John ("the fundamentals of the economy are sound") McCain, but now, when President-elect Obama attended a meeting of the National Governors Association to discuss federal aid to help states survive the economic meltdown, our governor was too busy to attend the meeting. What's wrong with this picture?

UH FOOTBALL

STADIUM NOT THE PLACE FOR AERIAL FIREWORKS

Congratulations to the players, coaches, and staff of the University of Hawai'i Warriors on making it to the Hawai'i Bowl.

I hate to be a party pooper, but I just had to speak up. I like aerial fireworks, but the stadium parking lot is not the place to launch them.

After watching a great win over Washington State last week we walked back to our car. Big festive-type aerial fireworks were being launched from a few different areas. The last one was just about 30 feet in front of us. All it takes is one dud or malfunction and someone could get seriously hurt.

I won't waste my time urging these irresponsible people to launch their fireworks elsewhere, because people like that never listen. The only reason they would stop is if they themselves get seriously hurt or someone else gets hurt.

I know that there are tailgaters or others who know who these reckless revelers are. I urge you to stop them or report them before someone is seriously hurt.

After every game there are many elderly people and many young children walking back to their vehicles. If you don't prevent these fireworks from launching, you might as well light the fuses yourselves.

I would like to end this letter on a good note to say: Go Warriors! Cincinnati and our Hawai'i Bowl opponent, beware.

DLNR

PET DOGS SHOULD NOT BE IN HUNTING AREAS

In response to the Nov. 21 letter from Linda Vannatta of Citizens for Safe Hiking ("DLNR should conduct thorough investigation"):

My experience while hunting on the Poamoho trail is that some hikers have vicious, aggressive pet dogs that attack my hunting dogs and want to fight. Our hunting dogs are trained not to fight, but will not back off if intimidated by a vicious, aggressive pet dog.

I cannot understand why the Department of Land and Natural Resources allows hikers to bring pet dogs in an hunting area; this makes no sense.

Yes, we carry guns and large knives because we are hunting, but not with vicious hunting dogs with an aggressive mentality.

I have two granddaughters: one 11, the other 13; they are always playing with the hunting dogs and having fun. I think hikers should take their pet dogs to a pet park instead of a hunting area where your pet might provoke a dog fight and get hurt.

DLNR should take full responsibility for whatever happens because they are allowing hiking with pets and hunting in the same area.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

STRONG LEADERSHIP AT ISLES' FINANCE FACTORS

In response to your recent article on Finance Enterprises' shareholder issues (Nov. 30, "Finance Factors has huge Mainland stake"), I would like to share my perspective as a member of the board of directors of Finance Factors.

Since joining the board in early 2000, I have had the opportunity to directly interact with the management team at Finance Factors. Through my firsthand experiences as a board member, I can attest to the solid character and strong leadership at Finance Factors.

Finance Factors' current management team has worked hard to ensure the stability of the company, and they operate at the highest level of honesty and integrity.

The company is financially stable and customers should be assured that their money is safe and secure with Finance Factors. Finance Factors is regulated and insured by the FDIC, which guarantees all depositors will have insurance coverage on their accounts up to $250,000.

Finance Factors is also a part of the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) program, which offers coverage up to $50 million per account — guaranteeing even more security to customers. Finance Factors continuously monitors its loan portfolio and establishes adequate reserves for any possible losses.