READERS WEIGH IN AS GENERAL ELECTION NEARS

Editor's note
In accordance with longstanding policy, today will be the last day prior to the election that The Advertiser will run election-related letters.

LOCAL ELECTION IS NOT A REFERENDUM ON BUSH

I am an independent who thinks the war must end, and a liberal on social issues. But even I know that having a governor who has a direct line of communication with the federal government results in benefits to our state. This election is not a referendum on President Bush, and I am deeply disturbed by the ads on TV and in the mail from Randy Iwase, the entire Democratic party and the seven unions that don't focus on local issues but instead attack Bush in an attempt to redirect attention away from the real concerns we face in Hawai'i.

This election, I want to hear about solutions for Hawai'i, not about Bush's policies. I want to choose Hawai'i leaders who will continue working for Hawai'i's best interests, not those like Iwase and Malama Solomon who have no plan for the future and nothing positive to say.

On Nov. 7, I am voting for Gov. Linda Lingle, not President Bush.

TIME FOR A CHANGE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

I've been trying to figure this one out for a long time and I still don't get it. Why would Gov. Linda Lingle spend millions and millions of dollars to keep a job that pays less than $100,000 per year? It just doesn't make sense.

And here's a better question. Do you think all those people and corporations giving Lingle all those millions (almost $6 million at last count) expect something in return? What about the rest of us who haven't given Lingle and all the Bush Republicans any of our hard-earned dollars? Where does that leave us, all the honest, decent hard-working, people of Hawai'i? I think it's time for a change.

LINGLE HAS BROUGHT ISLES POSITIVE CHANGES

Gov. Linda Lingle has created positive changes that benefit all the people of Hawai'i. She sheltered the homeless, created government contracting reforms, turned the budget deficit she inherited from the previous administration into a huge surplus. Governor Lingle works on behalf of all of us every day.

Hawai'i doesn't need any more "same old, same old." Hawai'i needs more of the energy and direction that the current administration has brought to the table. We are moving in a good direction now after years of stagnation; let's keep the posse moving!

We need to ensure that Gov. Lingle and Lt. Gov. Aiona are re-elected. We also need to ensure that we provide them with the legislative support they need to move Hawai'i even further forward.

SWAP MEET VENDORS NEGLECTED BY LINGLE

As a small-business owner, I certainly understand why Hawai'i's small-business climate ranks so low. I and hundreds of other vendors at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet have been gouged, neglected and preyed upon by the Lingle administration.

Since Lingle took office, stall rents have increased 50 to 150 percent. Customers' entrance fee has been raised 100 percent. On University of Hawai'i football days we have to be out of the stadium earlier, but are still charged a full day's rent. Before the Rolling Stones canceled their concert, we were to be shut down for two days in preparation of the concert. That's two days of no business during one of the busiest shopping times of the year!

These are just a few examples of why the Lingle administration has earned Hawai'i such a bad reputation for small business climate. The swap meet vendors are the tiniest of small businesses, usually a one-person or family operation. We provide a valuable shopping alternative to visitors and locals. Yet, we are gouged for big increases in rent, neglected in favor of big-time concert promoters, and preyed upon as a source of more income for the state.

LINGLE HAS EARNED RESPECT OF ISLE MILITARY

I can remember being at a change-of-command ceremony at the Marine Corps Base at Kane'ohe. Gov. Linda Lingle was there. Again, several years later, at another change-of-command ceremony at MCB at Kane'ohe, Governor Lingle was there. When Hawai'i's warriors were sent to Iraq, Governor Lingle was there to visit them. When military veterans returned to Maui from Iraq, Governor Lingle was here.

Governor Lingle has done a very good job of supporting Hawai'i's veterans, active-duty military and military retirees. She certainly has earned the respect and support of all of Hawai'i's military veterans.

To all of Hawai'i's military veterans, please support Governor Lingle in her re-election bid.

FINNEGAN PUTS PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICAL PARTIES

I was glad to see The Advertiser endorsed Rep. Lynn Finn-egan for the state House. I am a long-time resident and active in the Moanalua Gardens' community, and have worked with her for four years.

You recognized her ability to work with lawmakers on both sides. I've seen this at the community level when she brought people together to effect a major reduction in the helicopter noise problem. She listens, works hard and has earned my trust.

Your endorsement is echoed by broad support from several unions, business organizations and many community members. It's refreshing to see a politician put people before political parties.

PARTY OFFICIAL SURPRISED BY ENDORSEMENT

I was shocked by The Advertiser's endorsement of Lynn Finnegan (Oct. 29). The Advertiser based its endorsement on her positions on smart growth and educational issues.

The Advertiser's claim that Representative Finnegan supports "smart growth" and "preserving greenspace" belies her voting record. Finnegan voted not once, but twice, to open up farmlands statewide to more development in the so-called "Hokuli'a fix bill" (HB1368). She also voted against the popular "Legacy Lands Act" (HB1308), which created a dedicated funding source for purchasing coastal lands, watersheds and wild areas, as well as provided needed dollars for affordable housing. Further, Finnegan opposed efforts to improve our recycling program and opposed creation of the Sustainability 2050 Task Force. Her 33 percent voting record on the Sierra Club's scorecard reveals her real "beliefs" regarding the environment.

With regard to education, the Hawai'i State Teachers Association endorsed Jane Sugimura, not Lynn Finnegan. The AFL-CIO, which includes the American Federation of Teachers, endorsed Jane Sugimura. The HGEA, which represents principals, endorsed Jane Sugimura. Ms. Finnegan supports the establishment of local school boards, which would be a very costly enterprise.

The Advertiser also stated that Lynn Finnegan "knows how to work collaboratively with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle." However, The Advertiser provided no examples, citations or evidence of this collaboration.

I am deeply disappointed in The Advertiser's failure to endorse Jane Sugimura. Given space, I could make the case that Jane is the most qualified new candidate in the past quarter century.

JANE SUGIMURA HAS PROVEN TRACK RECORD

I disagree with The Advertiser's endorsement of Lynn Finnegan.

Jane Sugimura has a proven track record of years of community service. She worked to obtain relief for thousands of condominium owners on O'ahu who wanted to own the fee interest in their apartments. When the Sandalwood condo owners were notified in 1989 that their lease rents were being raised more than 1,000 percent, Jane led the effort to bring the problem that would affect thousands of condo owners to the public's attention. She worked relentlessly for years as part of HALE Coalition to obtain for condo owners the same rights that had been given to single-family owners in the late 1960s.

In 1990, when Jane could not get the Legislature to move on a condo conversion bill, she turned to the City Council and worked with Councilmember John Felix and Lt. Gov. Ben Cayetano to get Chapter 38 passed. As a result, thousands of condo owners, including all of the condos in District 32, obtained the opportunity to convert to fee.

There is much more, but I will close by saying that Jane has demonstrated that she is effective in bringing about needed changes for the benefit of the community.

'NO' VOTE IS BEST ON CHARTER AMENDMENT 3

As a homeowner with a high property tax bill every year, a "no" vote on Charter amendment 3 is best.

Don't get me wrong, I think we need more affordable housing and a cleaner environment. The only problem we have here is that they want it to come from our property taxes. Why not take it from the excise tax? Why should property owners foot the bill? Property owners need to stick together and vote "no" on amendment 3.

THIELEN DESERVES VOTE OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS

I am extremely disappointed that the Sierra Club leadership has chosen to endorse Dan Akaka for U.S. senator because he has agreed to "reconsider" his support of drilling for oil in Alaska's pristine wilderness. They justify this support because of Dan's "seniority." I guess we should pay club dues to Exxon instead, because Exxon has "seniority" over the Sierra Club?

Cynthia Thielen has a decades-old record of supporting environmental causes for the right reasons (she believes in them), and she deserves the vote of the environmental community for U.S. senator for her beliefs.

AKAKA ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS ARE STRONG

The tone of political attacks sadly suggest to me something else is in play besides candidates' merits — that is, bias against Sen. Dan Akaka based on the narrow world view of some "environmentalists" in Hawai'i.

The privileged background that enables some vocal environmentalists to fret over distant concerns — such as drilling in the Arctic — make some unable or unwilling to connect with the larger community on problems right here at home.

State Rep. Cynthia Thielen's environmental credentials are undeniable — she has been a staunch advocate of Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources. But so, too, are Akaka's, earning him a 100 percent rating in 2006 from the League of Conservation Voters.

The biggest blemish on Akaka's record is his position on Alaska drilling, which he based on support for Native Alaskan economic empowerment and self-determination. After learning about indigenous tribes' opposition to drilling, he promised to reconsider.

The Sierra Club's endorsement of Akaka could help build a broader, more diverse environmental movement in Hawai'i. Instead, it's being used as a wedge to further divide groups that should be working together.

If people have personal hangups with Senator Akaka, then they should come clean with them. But don't pretend that he doesn't deserve the Sierra Club's endorsement because he lacks a solid environmental record.

VOTE FOR FEITEIRA FOR OHA SEAT ON MAUI

Blossom Feiteira is a candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Maui seat. She is truly a grass roots candidate. In Blossom's campaign, we lacked money to buy signs, so we recycled old campaign signs and painted the backs. We made a video and aired it for free on all the community television stations statewide. We asked people to download fliers and distribute them, which they did.

Now it's up to the voters. Election day is the one day of the year when each one of us has exactly the same power as the richest and the poorest among us. Each one of our votes counts. Look at this year's mayoral race on Kaua'i; it was decided by a single vote.

Blossom has worked in the Hawaiian community for many years, empowering people with education and information. She has taught thousands of Hawaiians about financial management. She has helped more than 300 families move into their own homes. She will keep this up till the day she dies. She deserves our votes.

Please, everyone, go vote!

DEMOCRATS SENDING SAME TIRED MESSAGE

Democrats like Mazie Hirono are full of old ideas. Since the 1960s, they have viewed all wars as the Vietnam War. It seems that in the five years since 9/11 Democrats have forgotten why we are in Iraq. Our enemy is insidious and real; our soldiers deserve our support in Iraq.

Bob Hogue recognizes the threat of terrorism and understands that we are fighting an enemy that has no boundaries and no limits and Ground Zero is Iraq.

Democrats frame their arguments as "the rich versus the poor." Bob Hogue supports tax cuts for all of Hawai'i's people. Our taxes are too high. We should be asking what we are getting in return. Hirono would support raising taxes.

Hogue supports giving people the option of allowing a portion of their Social Security taxes to be invested in their own private savings account and set aside for their retirement. This guarantees a higher rate of return because in 10 years, the Social Security system will begin to run a deficit, meaning a negative return on their investment. Old-school Democrats like Hirono resurrect the same old, tired ideas about "putting retirement funds at risk." Hardly — the question should be "What retirement funds?"

Are we tired of it yet? Tying all Republicans to Bush and vilifying our president and the war in Iraq; creating class warfare and class envy; sacrificing truth for nonsense — I've had it! Enough. My vote is for Bob Hogue.

JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGE AN INTERESTING QUESTION

The proposition regarding the mandatory retirement age for judges is an interesting one. There is no question that those currently serving can competently continue to do so well beyond the age of 70, as in many other occupations. But should it be a lifetime appointment? Do we need to renew the bench every so many years to keep a fresh perspective of both the letter and spirit of the law?

Or do judges evolve with the times, making the necessary changes to be effective overseers of our courts? Or, does the law not change enough to warrant much movement from tradition?

It's an interesting item that may or may not have drastic consequences. One way or the other, vote!

PHOTOS NOT USED TO SHOW POLITICAL BACKING

I want to thank the Ka Iwi Coalition for its tireless efforts this year in halting the development of vacation cabins on the Ka Iwi coast. I had the privilege of working with the coalition and other community groups in our mutual objective of stopping this proposed project on preservation land.

Many of these groups, including the Ka Iwi Coalition, joined me at a protest rally I organized at City Hall in August. I proudly included candid photos from that rally in a brochure I mailed to East O'ahu voters in September. The photos showed the large, organized support and large number of protest signs from many groups against the project. One photo included the Ka Iwi Coalition banner.

In a letter to the editor, some members of the coalition expressed concern that this particular photo might indicate their support for my candidacy for the state House of Representatives. That was not my intention. I know that the coalition would never want to jeopardize its nonprofit status by endorsing a political candidate.

The proposal to build the vacation cabins was defeated thanks to the efforts of the Ka Iwi Coalition, the Save Sandy Beach group, the Hawai'i Kai Hui and the many dedicated citizens who live in East O'ahu.

It has been a great experience working with these groups and our community to prevent more overdevelopment and I appreciate this opportunity to set the record straight.