PRESIDENTIAL RACE

LINGLE'S COMMENTS LESSEN HER CREDIBILITY

I seldom see eye-to-eye with Lee Cataluna's views, but she hit the nail on the head when it comes to viewing and criticizing Gov. Linda Lingle's campaigning in Las Vegas for a presidential candidate.

Making other than truthful comments lessens her credibility.

LINGLE INACCURATE IN COMMENTS ON OBAMA

Gov. Linda Lingle is embarrassing and inaccurate when she suggests Sen. Barack Obama has limited ties to Hawai'i.

The facts are irrefutable — Barack Obama is a native son of Hawai'i.

He was born in Hawai'i. He attended grade school in Honolulu. He graduated from high school in Honolulu.

His mother and father were students at the University of Hawai'i. His mother, sister and brother-in-law all have Ph.D.s from the University of Hawai'i.

His mother and grandfather both passed away in Hawai'i. His grandmother has lived in Hawai'i for more than 40 years. His sister and grandmother still live in Hawai'i. His niece was born in Hawai'i. His daughter has a Hawaiian first name.

Those of us fortunate enough to know Sen. Obama and his family are proud of Hawai'i's native son and the man who soon will be elected to the highest office in the land.

Americans across this nation who have heard Sen. Obama speak and have observed his manner recognize that he represents the spirit of aloha.

CONCON

PROS OUTWEIGH CONS IN THE CONCON DEBATE

Tuesday's ConCon debate was a great source of education to me. I learned how little faith state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa has in the people of Hawai'i.

She several times alluded to the idea that we are not capable of holding a ConCon without corruption or bias. Those were not her exact words, but I was offended every time she talked about "who the delegates might be and what is their agenda." Her lack of faith in the people of Hawai'i is appalling. Does her lack of faith extend to those who put her in office?

The pros of this debate have outweighed the cons. But what put it way over the top was Hanabusa's continued references that we (the people) are not trustworthy enough to run a ConCon fairly. It smells of fear to me and I have to wonder why.

I've decided to vote "yes" for ConCon. If delegates need be chosen, I will be the first one to raise my hand. And don't worry about what it will cost. Just to be able to give a voice to others like me, I'll do it for nothing. Trust me.

GROCERIES

ISLE STORES SHOULD TRY DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE

You know what this city needs? Drive-through grocery stores.

Having recently fractured my lower back, it is horrible trying to get out of a car and walk into a large grocery store for a gallon of milk, loaf of bread or a dozen eggs.

On the Mainland, starting about 30 years ago, many grocery stores had a drive-in area for customers to pick up a few items. That part of the store just held basic necessities: rice, eggs, milk, bread, beer, chips, etc.

There are plenty of fast-food places that provide drive-through; why not a grocery store?

I know that the disabled, elderly and people in a hurry would prefer drive-through service rather than trying to park, and then walk the whole store for just a few items.

One couldn't buy a lot of groceries this way, but how many times have you just needed one or two items and just didn't want the hassle of going into a store?

I also think that more deliveries of groceries should be tried. For the price of two pizzas delivered you could have food for many days.

HOMELESS CAMPERS

WAIKIKI FAST BECOMING JUST A FADING PARADISE

Why would anybody want to rent an overpriced apartment in Waikiki when you can live for free in Kapi'olani Park?

These campers are much smarter than society gives them credit for. On a recent day, I counted more than 20 tents and about a dozen vulgar people consuming alcohol in plain sight, right behind the bandstand and throughout the park.

Let's not forget the half-dozen people living in their cars behind the Shell; they've got it figured out too.

Maybe one day HPD will actually do the job that taxpayers pay them for and enforce the laws which, to my recollection, were amended last month to tackle this very problem.

I won't hold my breath, though, as I walk around what used to be a wonderful piece of this fading paradise called Waikiki.

MAHALO

KIND DEED REAFFIRMS FAITH IN OUR NEIGHBORS

Warrior football! That's all I could think about as I ran around Hawai'i Kai Shopping Center picking up my contribution for our tailgate.

In my haste, I lost my wallet. After checking the stores around the shopping center with my friend, Eileen, hoping to see if someone had turned it in, I decided football could wait. So Eileen drove me to satellite city hall to replace my driver's license and then on to American Savings to cancel my bank card. I eventually made it to our tailgate and the game.

That's that, or so I thought. On Sunday, there was a knock on my door. A couple stood there with my wallet in hand.

I was shocked. They went to the trouble of driving to my home to return it. They wanted nothing in return, just knowing the wallet was with its rightful owner.

In my excitement, I forgot to get their names. So here I am, writing a letter to the editor to thank this memorable couple for their kind deed and for reaffirming my faith in people.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." — Albert Schweitzer