COLT BRENNAN

STUDENT IS A CLASS ACT, NOT A 'PRIMA DONNA'

In response to Mike Bilby's recent letter to the editor, I'd like to know what Mr. Bilby's criteria are for rating someone as a "prima donna?"

Colt Brennan has been a class act since he's been here. He's always quick to pass on any praise that comes his way. So now that he decides to use his popularity to try and improve the conditions of the lower campus facilities, you label him a prima donna? Usually, college students who take a stand and voice their opinions are lauded for trying to make a difference. If Colt Brennan were a law student or a member of ASUH, he'd have been patted on the back for bringing this issue to the forefront. But because he's an athlete, he's not supposed to have an opinion, at least in some people's eyes (like Mr. Bilby).

Mr. Bilby, your labeling of Colt Brennan is unjust, and so is your "F" grade. Oh, and he had two great seasons in the WAC, not just one.

POLICE PRIORITIES

SHELVE SEAT BELTS AND GO AFTER REAL CRIMINALS

From the crack of dawn to late at night, cops are looking for unclicked seat belts and jaywalkers. This a good thing, but the police priority should be looking for shooters, as O'ahu revisits the days of the Wild, Wild West.

Two deaths and a wounded teenager in a week in the news, details after this break. During the break you see "Click It or Ticket" or no-jaywalking public service announcements, then you get the gruesome details with the gunman shooting into the air and into the crowd.

Should another gunman fire into the air near your house, one of the bullets could come down through your roof and into you or your children. What good is it if you cross the street without jaywalking and survive an auto crash, buckled up, uninjured, only to be shot by lawbreakers?

So let's put "Click It or Ticket" on hold and nail and jail these gunmen, before they get one of us! And please don't use this as an excuse to outlaw guns.

AKAKA BILL

IF IT DOESN'T PASS, DON'T BLAME THE GOVERNOR

The recent article pertaining to the Akaka bill and blaming Governor Linda Lingle is totally political. Once again, the Democrats are pointing their finger at our governor. The old-boy network in the Democratic Party must keep in mind she was voted into office by the people of Hawai'i.

According to The Advertiser, the translation of Sen. Dan Inouye's statement is that if the Akaka bill can't make it through the Bush people, don't blame us. Blame Lingle. Keep in mind, the Akaka bill was addressed when Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano was on board. He and his Democratic party did not get the bill passed.

I know Governor Lingle has her plate full, and I feel strongly that she will try to do her best. She has outstanding leadership skills, and I am very pleased knowing that she represents Hawai'i. If the Akaka bill does pass — amen. If it doesn't pass, the Democrats need to point their finger in the right direction.

GET OVER IT

MINOR INCONVENIENCE PALES IN COMPARISON

I cannot get over those whiny people who complained about hearing the military jets fly over at 3 in the morning.

Are we so selfish and forget that these brave men and women were up much earlier than that to be off on whatever mission or training to save our hides?

When I heard them leave, I said a little prayer to keep them safe.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS

MONEY SHOULD GO TO CHILDREN, NOT HIGH PAY

Kamehameha leadership: It's time to walk the talk. I am writing this letter in response to your article about the income of Kamehameha's top executives. These officials raked in atrocious and excessive amounts of money.

Some of these officials gave themselves 21 percent pay raises. Does the support staff of Kamehameha Schools get a 21 percent pay increase? I don't think so.

If these executives are there to serve the will of Ke Ali'i Pauahi, then they must serve it with dignity, integrity and compassion toward the children of Hawaiian ancestry. This means being compensated with reasonable incomes and returning the remainder of these funds to provide more seats on the campuses or programs in the community.

Ke Ali'i Pauahi desired to educate as many Native Hawaiian children as possible. These funds should be used to do just that.

It's time for the people of Hawaiian ancestry to question and stand up against these fat-cat pay raises and focus back on why Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop created the Kamehameha Schools: for the sole benefit of Na Pua Maoli Hawai'i, our Native Hawaiian children.

HEALTHCARE

NONPROFIT COULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE ELDERLY

Regarding the May 17 article about HMSA raising premiums.

As stated in the article, "HMSA plans largest rate hike in 3 years", and Kaiser Permanente Hawai'i "income plunges 83 percent" — that's a lot of bad news for one day. Healthcare is getting more expensive and, unfortunately, many citizens are without any medical coverage at all. But some of the simplest solutions may be already in hand. The fact that the federal government and state have given tax exemptions to nonprofit fraternal beneficiary societies to provide members with insurance including death, sickness and accident benefits has virtually gone unnoticed. These organizations are sometimes known as orders, fraternities, societies or associations and are governed by state laws.

Nonprofit fraternal beneficiary societies take their members' money, tax-exempt, in the form of dues and fees and are required to establish a system of contractual benefit payments. In the case of Hawai'i, those benefits may include: "death benefits, endowment benefits, annuity benefits, temporary or permanent disability benefits, hospital, medical or nursing benefits, monument or tombstone and other such benefits as authorized for life insurers." These fraternal organizations are regulated by the insurance commissioners in each of the 50 states. Nonprofit fraternal beneficiary societies are insurance companies that should be assisting the elderly members, but some of these organizations evade their responsibilities and do not provide the required insurance benefits.

The Internal Revenue Service has given tax-exempt status to these organizations since the early 1900s, and these societies predate the existence of organized insurance companies, HMOs, health insurance providers or the government's proverbial welfare safety net.

The sole idea of creating tax exemptions for these organizations was to allow members to help other members in their time of need. Such organizations are not charities but rather they are insurance companies that should be paying membership benefits. Every little bit helps; especially to the sick and elderly.

CAMPAIGN SPENDING

ELECTIONS ARE RUN BY BOTTOM LINE, NOT PUBLIC

Regarding the recent article, "Court rejects corporate limits in elections": This is hugely disappointing. Every citizen in Hawai'i should be alarmed at how attempts to remedy one of the most pervasive problems in politics can be shot down.

Limiting corporate giving to $1,000 would have forced politicians to walk their districts and raise money from their constituents, not from developers, lawyers and other money interests who do more harm to our democracy than good. Every election cycle the cost of running for office goes up by approximately 10 percent, making it more and more difficult for average, hard-working citizens to make an impact, whether it be through small donations or even running for office. Let's face it, we are in an era where elections are determined by who's giving the most money and the public is watching from the sidelines. There is such a thing as status quo, and our courts just defended it.

Voter Owned Hawai'i is proud of the efforts of Barbara Wong and the Campaign Spending Commission to reel in Hawai'i's absurd run away campaign finance system, and we encourage them to appeal the decision in the best interest of the Hawai'i's constituents.

ELECTIONS

GORE-OBAMA TICKET SURE TO BE A WINNER

When will the Democrats realize they have a blockbuster ticket for '08? A Gore-Obama ticket will sweep the nation.

Al Gore has already won the majority of the popular vote and has enhanced his reputation during his recent years out of office.

Barack Obama has appeared on the scene as the great hope for the future — a clean page. A tour as vice president would put some experience on that page.

Considering the candidates now campaigning, this ticket makes good sense. Think about it.

TAX HIKES

CITY'S DOLLAR FIGURES ARE CAUSE TO BE WARY

The city of Honolulu is publishing newspaper ads stating that a $1.2 billion secondary treatment sewage treatment plant could cause our sewer fees to skyrocket to $300 a month or more for each home. They say it's not necessary. I don't doubt their figures.

It does beg the question of how much an $8 billion-plus fixed rail system will increase our property and other taxes. I don't think that's necessary either.

As they say down South — "I'm from the government and I'm here to help ya."

We're getting a double barrel on these items.

DRIVING ETIQUETTE

LAW ABIDERS SHOULD RECLAIM THE ROADS

I don't know what to do: laugh, cry, get angry or just wear blinders. But driving in "paradise" isn't and hasn't been a pleasant activity for decades — and, sad to say, it's getting worse.

So, slow drivers of Hawai'i (those who follow or want to follow the speed limit), let's unite and drive those rude, careless, idiotic drivers crazy.

Let's obey the speed limits on all roads, in the city, in our neighborhood, on the freeways.

Let's form a phalanx of cars that will hamper the speedsters. Let's all drive two cars abreast on two-lane roads (lanes going in the same direction). Let's show these rude and obnoxious drivers who tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, cut across multiple lanes at the last moment to reach an off-ramp and drive at excessive speeds that they can't push us around anymore.

We're out to make driving a pleasant experience again. And oh, in case you need a reminder — those rude and obnoxious drivers are everywhere. They include you, me, your family members, your neighbors, your friends — in a nutshell, everyone who drives.

GAS PRICES

PRICE AT THE PUMP NOT AS HIGH AS IN THE PAST

The price of gasoline is not at an all-time high. In 1981, gasoline averaged $1.35 a gallon. Factoring in inflation, that is the equivalent of $3.13 today.

Looking at it another way, in 1980 you had to work 101 minutes to drive the average car 100 miles, while in 2006 it only took 52 minutes. Wages are up and automobile efficiency has improved. We are still better off than in the Netherlands where gasoline is over $7 a gallon, which is a bit more than the average in Europe of $6 per gallon.