Statehood
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A SOLID MAJORITY VOTED 'YES' IN 1959
Supporters of the Akaka bill have recently been publicizing incorrect numbers about the supposedly small number of voters who participated in the 1959 statehood vote. Some have falsely maintained that as few as 32 percent of eligible voters participated and, therefore, that the 94 percent approval vote was far from a majority of all eligible voters. Supposedly this shows that a majority of voters in effect voted against statehood by refusing to vote.
Actual figures from the 1960 census have now been made available, however, showing that there were only 218,000 eligible voters in Hawai'i at that time and that more than 132,000, or more than 60 percent of those eligible, voted "yes." Of the total of 140,000 actually voting, 132,000, or 94 percent, voted yes.
The number of eligible voters was far smaller than the Hawai'i population in 1959 because the following groups did not meet the qualifications to be eligible to vote:
So whether you focus on the 94 percent approval rate of those actually voting, or the 60 percent approval rate counting all those eligible to vote, a solid majority voted in favor of statehood in 1959.
Tom MacDonald | Kane'ohe
HO'OPILI
BEDROOM SUBURB WILL WIPE OUT FARMS
In his recent article, Mike Jones of D.R. Horton-Schuler says that Ho'opili will be a planned community "where residents are able to live, work, play and learn." Kapolei was to provide jobs so that people could work where they live, but traffic has continued to worsen each year, making a rail-transit system inevitable.
People work in Honolulu because this is where they receive higher pay, and many drive in to take their children to private school. Ho'opili will be yet another "bedroom community," in an area that already has traffic challenges, even a "planned" city like Kapolei.
This massive development will wipe out a source of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Hawai'i is already overly dependent on the Mainland for our produce, and the loss of this prime agricultural land will further our dependency. We should support our local farmers and own economy, rather than megafarms on the Mainland and in South America.
Jones says that farming will be able to continue in the area for many years, but I can already hear the homeowners complaining about the noise, dust and fertilizer smells, like the neighbors of the quarry operation near Kapolei.
Lani Abrigana | 'Ewa Beach
MILITARY
PRIVACY OF MILITARY FAMILIES TOP PRIORITY
In response to William Cole's article regarding the Marines' release of casualty information, please allow me to describe my intention.
Although I value our open relationship with the local media, I value more my promise to our deploying Marines and sailors that our base will care for their families until they return. This commitment does not end when a service member becomes a casualty; rather, my commitment to that family increases dramatically. I count in that commitment the absolute protection of their privacy.
Balancing the right of the public to know about the death or injury of its service members with the obligation to shelter the families from additional emotional stress presents a significant challenge. That said, I will always make the family my priority. Information provided to the public must wait until we are assured that proper notifications have been made and the immediate needs of the family have been met.
As with any report about our Marines and sailors, I intend to provide the most timely and accurate information we can to our community neighbors, the military community and all concerned citizens. Everyone should know of our Marines' and sailors' successes, their struggles and their sacrifices. I believe our policy best reflects the wishes our Marines and sailors who serve abroad and their families who anxiously await their return.
R.D. Rice | Commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i
NO NEW TAXES
HAWAI'I ECONOMY HARSH ON SENIORS
Hawai'i seniors are feeling a disproportionate impact from an economic downturn not seen since the Depression. After watching their 401(k)s decline, now it is revealed that there will not be an increase in Social Security payments this January. It is also projected that there will not be an increase in 2011. Not only will there be no increase in the basic stipend, but the drug insurance will rise, resulting in a reduction in the net amount received.
Nationally the cost of living decreased in excess of 2 percent to date in 2009; Hawai'i has seen an increase of .3 percent.
Hawai'i has more seniors per capita than any state in the country. Many, who projected a comfortable but not affluent retirement, are now facing a challenge to their basic living standards that they are not equipped to counter. Once retiring, a senior seldom has the option to go back into the workplace. Even if jobs were available, seniors are not a sought-after commodity.
Governor, senators, representatives, mayor, council-men, now is not the time to raise taxes. Especially the excise tax, which is regressive and impacts the least able to pay it.
Seniors, call, write, or e-mail your elected representatives and tell them that you do not want any new taxes.
Michael Dwyer | 'Aiea
