SENATE RACE

CASE HAS NOT HIDDEN FROM HIS DECISIONS

Keith Haugen's comments about Ed Case (Letters, Aug. 21) should not go unanswered.

Case is not Patsy Mink, or any other politician who has represented Hawai'i in Washington. He is a thoughtful, non-doctrinaire individual who "calls 'em as he sees 'em."

Haugen may not like the calls, but his strident condemnation sounds like a demand to know by what right Case dares challenge Sen. Daniel Akaka.

There are valid issues to be brought before the public. These should include matters in Case's record, but also those in Akaka's, such as his unquestioning support of the former Bishop Estate trustees and his failure to pass his own, named legislation.

Case has not hidden from his actions and decisions. He has asked repeatedly that Akaka not hide from his; that he debate before large audiences in an open manner. Akaka has been most reluctant.

Casualties in this primary battle to date include truth and fairness. If that continues, Hawai'i itself will be the ultimate casualty.

CASE NOT WARMONGER, BELIEVES WAR MUST END

I have listened to Ed Case many times and questioned him personally on his stance regarding Iraq, because that war is a hot button for me. He is no warmonger; Keith Haugen's comments in Monday's Advertiser are crafted to mislead.

Ask Case yourself at his town meetings, but my take on his stance is: This war needs to end; our troops need to get home, but we cannot abandon Iraq to a devastating civil war that would mean more beds of terrorism.

The Bush administration started that war inappropriately, and now US (as in us, you and me), have responsibilities to work our way out of it.

Again, ask Case yourself. Ed Case is accessible, not held at a distance by handlers as Senator Akaka is.

DEMOCRATIC ARMOR MUST BE KEPT STRONG

In a recent letter, Jo An Gaines extolled the virtues of a senator versus a warrior. I agree with her. I've never seen senators change their votes because of debates held on the chamber floor. In fact the chamber is often empty when opposing senators are talking.

Although I supported Ed Case in his run for the House of Representatives, I have been upset with some of his votes. Before anyone ever suggested it, I, too, wondered whether I had voted for a Republican or a Democrat.

There is derisive talk about the national Democratic machine's support of Senator Akaka. All I know is that I've seen the Republican senatorial machine work too smoothly for my comfort. Think of the confirmation of federal judges and Supreme Court justices, not to mention votes that weakened our civil rights and gave unfair tax breaks.

Why are John Kerry and Barack Obama making ads for Daniel Akaka? They do not want a weak link in the Democratic armor. Do you?

FISHING

CONSUMERS WILL PAY PRICE FOR GILL-NET BAN

The focus of environmentalist groups are off the mark. Professional fishers have now been made a target of their negative campaign against gill nets.

In 1998-1999, the state's Gillnet Task Force, which volunteered thousands of hours, submitted its recommendations to require increased restrictions on the lay gill net practice. A total gill-net ban for Maui, Kailua and Kane'ohe Bay was not part of its recommendations.

The DLNR's proposed bans will make harvesting certain species of fish via lay gill nets almost impossible.

Commercial netters fish responsibly and legally to conserve the resources, keep fisheries sustainable and stay in business. Commercial catches provide more than 80 percent of the nearshore species of fish in the markets.

It is my hope that those who appreciate fresh, locally caught, affordable fish understand the impacts of a gill-net ban and express their opposition. After all, it will be Hawai'i's consumers who ultimately will pay the price.

TERRORISM

HIGH COURT WILL UPHOLD EAVESDROP PROGRAM

You suggest that we can monitor terrorists, but only if we preserve free speech and privacy of citizens (Editorial, Aug. 21).

The eavesdropping program is ongoing, and the administration cannot go to a court each time as the program itself is an emergency. Yes, the media and others who insist on preservation of privacy and free speech will see our country terrorized from one end to the other if they get their way by having such programs stopped by the courts.

Fortunately, this one will eventually be affirmed by the Supreme Court.

MASS TRANSIT

OUR CITY PLANNERS SHOULD BE VISIONARIES

In most cases, I would agree that we should live within our means. However, when you're planning for a city, you need to be a visionary for five to 10 years out.

I'm saddened by the cost of money spent on so many "studies" done on mass transit by present and past administrations. It seems extravagant to spend the money intended to build a mass transit system that will be obsolete by the time it is completed.

We are an island, and logic tells us we can't go under and we don't have much land, so common sense would be to build above existing freeways and roads.

Those who think it looks ugly should have been thinking of going underground rather than replacing poles. They get paid the "big bucks" to think of the future rather than "day to day." Anyone can do that.

HOMELESS

DROP-IN CENTERS WOULD EASE SHELTER PROBLEM

Homeless people need laundry and shower facilities and a place to cook. Shelter? What better way to sleep than under the stars of Hawai'i. In inclement weather, a simple pavilion will keep them dry. Is this too much to ask the city for?

Years ago, there was a drop-in center in Pearl City that had these accommodations, and everything worked out fine. And the homeless there had access to a TV. Why the drop-in centers closed is beyond me.

The city should consider drop-in centers. They would make a big dent in the problems we now face with the homeless. More people would not need to hang around in our parks and beaches.

PROTEST

ATROCIOUS BEHAVIOR AT STATEHOOD CELEBRATION

At a Statehood Day celebration on the grounds of the palace, a nasty confrontation developed when a very strident group of protesters invaded this most democratic and joyous occasion with bullhorns and inappropriate language and behavior (even their children joined in the profanity). This so called sovereignty movement needs to recognize a very important point of law.

"The constitution does not provide for the separation, dissolution or division of any state or any part of any state."

Since Congress proved it will not allow the division of the state of Hawai'i, along racial lines, when it effectively killed the Akaka bill, it must be recognized by all, including Senator Inouye, that further efforts in that direction will only squander even more political capital. The so called "plan B" recently touted is beyond divisive, and the proponents need to recognize this and put an end to their atrocious behavior.

IRAQ

HAWAI'I'S SONS, DAUGHTERS SPREADING THE ALOHA SPIRIT

I am Staff Sgt. Janel Kau'i Taylor, an air traffic controller with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group in Baghdad.

We operate the ATC tower side-by-side with Iraqi controllers in the true spirit of Iraqi Freedom. It's been an uplifting tour, but I must admit, with no ocean for miles, I've been homesick for the Islands for a long time.

My heart swelled yesterday when I noticed a familiar aircraft tail parked at Baghdad International Airport's passenger terminal: an old Aloha Airlines Boeing 737.

I remembered spending weekends on Maui's Kanaha beach, watching all the aircraft departing Kahului and making my dad name each one.

I hope this reminds all the 'ohana back home that Hawai'i's sons and daughters are spreading the aloha spirit to every corner of the world in more ways than any of us could imagine. And that it's the love of the Islands and her people that will bring us home soon. A hui hou.