A LITTLE TEAMWORK IN ORDER FROM HGEA

All right, Mr. Perreira, it's now your turn to step up to the plate and match the governor's 13.7 percent cut in pay. This is called fair play and doing the right thing. Also known as teamwork.

Steven G. Norstrom | Kaimuki

KEIKI HULA CONTEST

NEWCOMERS' SUCCESS A PROUD MOMENT

First-time entry into the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition for kumu hula Leina'ala Pavao Jardin and Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina'ala is a charm.

Her keiki wahine took top honors at the competition. Kaua'i should be so proud to have such a gifted kumu hula. Despite the odds of competing against the most reputable of na kumu hula, Leina'ala has proven that goals can be achieved through hard work, dedication, discipline and determination. The loving support from family and friends only encouraged that passion.

Mahalo nui loa for all the kind and generous support to all who have shared in this dream.

David Kawika Niau | Honolulu

CHURCH SEX ABUSE

COURAGE TO END WRONGDOING LAUDED

We're encouraged that a Hawai'i man is seeking to hold the Vatican responsible for the abuse he says he suffered at the hands of a Catholic priest ("Man files 2nd suit in church sex abuse," July 21).

All too often, no one is held accountable for these horrific crimes. In a few instances, the predator priest eventually faces consequences. But rarely are the top church officials who shielded and transferred known child molesters ever brought to justice.

And when wrongdoing goes unpunished, wrongdoing is repeated.

We applaud this brave man and hope his courage will inspire others who've been hurt by child-molesting clergy to come forward, take action, protect others and start healing.

BARBARA BLAINE | President, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, Chicago

AIRPORT SECURITY

GOING THROUGH CHECKPOINT A HASSLE

I just went to Honolulu today and although they mean well, they are going too far.

I thought I was going to outsmart them by using a rubber slipper and putting on my sneaker after the checkpoint. They made me take off my rubber slippers, had it put in the plastic container to be scanned. I also had to take off my reading glasses, and they had me put my wooden cane on the conveyor. I was wondering why I couldn't use my cane to go through the scanner. If it beeps, then there's something in the wooden cane. Same with the rubber slippers.

It's getting to be a hassle to fly. By the way, I went on Mokulele Airlines and they were very helpful, especially to me, disabled but walking with a cane.

Francis K. Ibara | Kahului, Maui

CITY COUNCIL

KINNEY WILL BRING FRESH VISION, CHANGE

I urge the voters of the District 5 area of Honolulu to vote for Nathaniel Kinney for City Council. Nathaniel Kinney is committed to our community and will be a responsive City Council member.

I support Mr. Kinney because he will bring a fresh perspective to the Honolulu City Council. In addition, he is also a part of a new generation of public servants that we must begin to transition into positions of leadership.

Mr. Kinney has a vision for a more efficient, responsive and transparent city government that does not involve job cuts. He has both the fresh perspective and know-how to bring much-needed change to the council.

He knows how the city government can reduce its own expenses that would result in measured financial savings to Honolulu, without reducing jobs during these tough economic times.

Alyssa Murphy | McKinney campaign volunteer, Mo'ili'ili

RAIL TRANSIT

LET VOTERS SPEAK ON EVERY CRITICAL ISSUE

"The voters have spoken." I've heard this repeated by City Council members, the mayor and others to justify why the proposed rail system should be supported.

That being the case, why don't we vote and ask the citizens of Honolulu if they would like to spend billions on a rail system that won't alleviate congestion instead of fixing our sewage system and roads? Or perhaps we should vote on whether taxpayers should line the pockets of special interests.

Let's vote on whether we should block our beautiful view of Honolulu with an elevated heavy rail. I say we vote on whether we should start the rail project without federal funds.

We can vote on whether we should raise property taxes as people are being laid off and out of work. Then we can really say the voters have spoken.

I'm disturbed by the callous disregard of our current mayor and certain members of our City Council and those who would want to be on the City Council to quickly dismiss the individual and real voices from their communities for the nebulous "the voters have spoken."

I say it is not too late to stop the train wreck.

Gerry Nagamine | Kailua

HEALTH CARE

BUREAUCRATS SHOULD TAKE SAME MEDICINE

If Congress truly believes in the Obama health care plan, let it pass it with one major irrevocable provision:

Whatever passes becomes the health care plan for all Americans, including Congress and its families, the executive branch and its families, and the judicial branch and its families — no exceptions, no excuses.

Then let's see who are the true believers. You first, Barry.

Eric Terashima | Hilo

LIBRARIES

EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES TO KEEP THEM OPEN

In light of the Board of Education's vote to postpone any final decision on closing several libraries, I should like to offer for consideration two suggestions regarding possible alternatives.

The first is very simple: Make use of community volunteers to help keep the libraries open, even if services are somewhat curtailed. I am sure that there are more than a few persons in our communities who would be willing and eager to help keep libraries open and functional. If there are administrative barriers to the use of volunteers in certain circumstances, perhaps they could be given $1-a-year contracts to deal with this impediment.

My second suggestion would be that at least in certain geographic areas, libraries could be "twinned," with one library open three days and the other three days. For example, in East Honolulu, the 'Aina Haina library could be twinned with either Kaimuki or Hawai'i Kai; on the Windward side, the Kailua library could be twinned with Kane'ohe, etc. In this manner no library would need to be closed, and library services, albeit somewhat curtailed, would remain available to all users.

Morton L. Brown | Honolulu