DUANE "DOG" CHAPMAN

REMARKS WARRANT THE SHOW'S CANCELLATION

Duane "Dog" Chapman's show should be canceled, just as other shows are, due to racist words and comments made towards any individual of any race.

Chapman used the "N-word" too many times and he probably has used it many times before. He needs to be held accountable for his racist comments. And to say it doesn't have to do with his son's girlfriend's color but her character is a lie. because he used the "N" word several times.

He attacked her for being African-American and his prejudice cannot be ignored when he spoke it loud and clear.

Fame has gone to his head and he needs to be brought back to reality. Once words of hatred have been spoken, they cannot be forgotten and should not be swept under the rug just because of his success.

Politicians and other figures have stood up and resigned from their posts due to their habits. So, his shows need to be canceled and he needs to pay the price for his actions as well.

A&E'S SUSPENSION OF SHOW IS HYPOCRITICAL

I'm not in any way condoning the use of the N-word by anyone, but think that it's hypocritical of A&E to suspend "Dog" Chapman's show when that same network carries "The Sopranos," in which the characters use the name of Jesus Christ as a curse word in scene after scene, which is just as offensive to many people as the N-word.

FREE VACCINES

HEALTH, SCHOOL OFFICIALS PARTNER ON FLU EFFORT

Flu season is here, and the Hawai'i state Department of Health is again encouraging the public to protect themselves against influenza viruses.

The department's "Protect Hawai'i's Keiki: Stop Flu at School" campaign (www. stopfluatschool.com) is also offering Hawai'i children free flu vaccine, during the day, at participating public and private elementary and middle schools statewide.

It's the first program of its kind nationally and a shining example of the good things that can happen when education and health officials work together.

CONSERVATION

DON'T TAKE OUR WATER SUPPLY FOR GRANTED

The Board of Water Supply (BWS) would like to thank John Shimamoto (Letter, Nov. 1) for bringing attention to water conservation.

On O'ahu, we have been blessed with a bountiful supply of clean, fresh water. But as the record-breaking drought in the late '90s taught us, we cannot afford to take our water for granted.

At the BWS, we remain committed to taking care of O'ahu's people, economy, and environment by making sure that we all have enough water for centuries to come.

To ensure sustainable water supplies, we have invested in water diversification, such as recycled and brackish water, and concerted conservation efforts have slowed projected water demands.

We also carefully track the health of our aquifers. The board has more than 28 deep monitor wells across the island to track the health of our aquifers.

We continue to educate our customers on the importance of water conservation, but we need the help of our customers. Simple steps at home and at work can make a big difference. Plant unthirsty native Hawaiian flora, install low-flow fixtures, fix that leaky faucet!

Use all the water you need— just don't waste it. Water conservation is by far the most cost effective way of ensuring we continue to have adequate water supplies. Every gallon we save is a gallon we don't have to pump, recycle or drill for. Working together. we can help sustain our precious water resources for future generations and accomplish our mission, "Water for life - Ka Wai Ola."

TRANSIT

RAIL WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO HONOLULU RESIDENTS

I think the rail system would be a great asset for O'ahu. I have been living here for two years and love it. But, the addition of the rail system would make it so much easier to get around and enjoy all that Honolulu has to offer.

Let's get moving and bring this rail system to life!

HINA MAUKA

PROGRAM AT WOMEN'S PRISON A TRUE ASSET

A tip of the coconut hat to the Hina Mauka program at the women's prison. This unbelievable asset has done so much for the residents in their separate building at WCCC. The participants are as one when sharing and learning and in involvement in the Hawaiian culture.

Their recent halau consisted of some 50 women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, frankly telling the story of their lives and involvement that led to their incarceration in song and dance. Having been involved as a volunteer in corrections from youth to adults for over 40 years I have never witnessed a program as beneficial as this.

I have the pleasure of conducting a Sunday service as a Catholic minister each week. I feel blessed to see the improvements in these women as they better themselves for their future and that of our community. Also kudos to the prison officials who support this innovative approach to rehabilitation of their wards.

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

CLINTON SHOWED SPIRIT A COMMANDER NEEDS

Watching the recent Democratic presidential debates in Philadelphia has re-energized my belief that come November 2008, we will record a new beginning in America by electing the first female commander-in-chief.

The entire debate process was centered on issues and non-issues against Hillary Clinton, which left a bitter taste in my mouth. I know Bill and Hillary personally, but I speak not as a friend and supporter but more as an outside analyst and critic.

Honestly, I wholly applaud Senator Clinton's professionalism and feisty demeanor as more presidential than the sum of the remaining candidates, Democrats and Republicans combined.

God Bless America. The ancient Chamori people were matriarchal so I openly approve of a new "commandress."

SUPERFERRY

JUDGE DID ABOUT-FACE BY STOPPING SERVICE

In her Oct. 22 letter, Carolyn Martinez Golojuch thanks Judge Joseph Cardoza for his recent ruling on the Hawaii Superferry.

I must point out that this ruling conflicts with his 2005 opinion that the three plaintiff groups opposing the ferry had no legal standing to stop it. At the time of the 2005 opinion, it seemed that the judge weighed all sides of the issue prior to reaching a responsible conclusion.

With his most recent ruling, Judge Cardoza is upholding a troublesome trait of many environmentalists in this state — the simple obstruction of a progressive improvement that will benefit the vast majority of Hawai'i residents.

Many of us vividly remember H-3 being stalled for nearly 30 years because of such environmental groups in whose favor Judge Cardoza recently ruled. The fact of the matter is that the state treated the Superferry in the same manner as cruise ships, container ships and others in the maritime industry are treated.

It's a good thing for all of us that our state's elected officials of both parties agreed to a legislative special session to correct this wrong so that none of us have to suffer another H-3-type delay.

Golojuch expresses dismay that the Democratic Legislature is working with Hawai'i's Republican governor to fix this mess, but I believe that this is not a partisan issue.

For those of you in disagreement with your legislators' decision on the Superferry or any other issue, you do have recourse. You can decide not to contribute money to their reelection efforts and not to give them your vote in the next election.

Unfortunately, there is no such recourse for the voting public in regards to their not agreeing with the decision of an appointed, non-elected judge.

FERRY COULD BECOME ISLES' ENORMOUS ASSET

As a frequent visitor, I have come to know residents from all walks of life. Most want ferry service if done in a sound environmental way.

There are some who don't want any type of ferry service, but these are isolationists in their own little world. Ironically, a large number I have run into are transplants from places like Oregon, Washington and California.

Personally, I feel ferry service would be a great asset to Hawai'i as long as a proper EIS is undertaken. Ferry service is a necessity to connect families and friends.

And with global climate change, there is bound to be more natural disasters, and it is paramount Hawai'i works together.

If I owned the Superferry, I would welcome a thorough EIS and work with Civil Defense and other organizations to make my ferry service a valuable emergency asset as well as an alternative means of travel. I would hire the best-qualified inspectors to stop invasive species, drugs, etc.

The key is to not harm Hawai'i's fragile ecosytem. If done properly, ferry service could work wonders.

MAJORITY WILL SUPPORT LAWMAKERS AT THE POLLS

I want to respond to the person that indicated that those against the Superferry will remember what happened and vote against their legislators in the next election. I just want to say that the majority of voters will remember what happened.

In spite of the vocal minority our legislators were willing to stand up and do something good for this state. Hopefully, this will all be put in the past, and the ferry will become a part of our daily lives.

Eventually, everyone will realize that its implementation is a good thing for the people of Hawai'i.

LOCKER SEARCHES

BOE SHOULD FOCUS ON IMPROVING EDUCATION

I was disappointed that the Board of Education decided to disregard the Fourth Amendment rights of our students when it voted in favor "to allow suspicionless searches of student lockers on public school campuses solely at the discretion of principals and school administrators."

I'm sure it must be much easier to apply a Band-Aid solution to the problem of Hawai'i's schools, rather than actually fixing the educational system.

Once this is added to the unconscionable decision to allow random drug-testing of teachers, we see that the BOE is less concerned with actually improving the quality our schools than with making it appear as though something is being done. And it is doing so at the expense of our children and teachers' constitutional rights.

I wonder how the public would react to a law allowing searches without cause or suspicion of personal belongings — your purse, your wallet, your car — in all workplaces.

I urge everyone to attend the Board of Education meeting that will ultimately decide on this issue and to let the governor know that the people of Hawai'i will not allow their children's rights to be thrown under a bus.