PUBLIC SAFETY

'CONSEQUENCE LAW' NEEDED IN HAWAI'I

An important question remains unanswered concerning the senseless killings at the Tantalus lookout and the subsequent home invasion: Where did the suspect, Adam Mau-Goffredo, acquire the gun? How could someone with a history of mental illness and a past restraining order against him acquire a firearm legally? Presuming the gun was illegal, then the seller of that gun should be held responsible as an accomplice.

The Legislature should seriously consider passing a "Consequence Law" in which sellers of illegal guns and illegal drugs would be held as accomplices to crimes committed by their buyers who use those guns to commit a crime or who commit a crime while under the influence of those illegal drugs. The law should be based on this fundamental truth: You are responsible for your actions and the consequences of your actions.

NATATORIUM

LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULDN'T BE TOLERATED

So the city spent millions of dollars for Natatorium restrooms that proved defective within two years (Advertiser, July 9). Who's the contractor? Where's the lawsuit?

Since closing the restrooms two years ago, the city is spending $2,000 per month on substitute facilities. Where's the accountability?

Now, the Department of Design and Construction will finally assess the situation to see if the toilets can be used again. Where have they been for the past two years, while paying $48,000 for portable potties?

This total lack of fiscal accountability is breathtaking! No individual or business would tolerate such abysmal irresponsibility in their own transactions. Just another sad example of how government simply cannot responsibly manage our money. The less they have, the less to waste.

NORTH KOREA

BUSH SHOULD GIVE JAPAN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

With the Chinese and Russian governments unwilling to get the North Korean government to act in a reasonable and civilized manner at the United Nations, the Bush administration seems to be totally befuddled as to how to resolve this dilemma. Rather than rack his poor little brain for a complex diplomatic solution, the president should just take four or five mothballed aircraft carriers and turn them over to Japan for self-defense, like the Lend Lease Act that gave Britain 50 old destroyers in 1940.

I think that the vision of a Japanese-flagged aircraft carrier would engender a lot more cooperation and assistance from China and Russia in this situation.

MISSILES

NORTH KOREA RESPECTS ONLY MILITARY FORCE

Charles Morrison's July 9 article about North Korea's missile tests asks: "Do North Koreans want nuclear weapons at any cost or are their weapons programs designed as bargaining chips?"

The answer is "yes" to both. The North Korean government is trying to get the same deal it got with the Clinton administration — economic incentives to give up its nuclear weapons, while continuing to secretly develop those weapons. There's no big secret to understanding North Korea — it's a ruthless, crazy dictatorship that views treaties as a way of obtaining free concessions in exchange for worthless promises.

We couldn't even negotiate a peace treaty with them at the end of the Korean War — after more than a half century, we still only have a ceasefire agreement, which really is only an agreement that either side can resume the war at any time. Any deal with North Korea is worth about as much as the treaty Neville Chamberlain negotiated with Hitler that dismantled Czechoslovakia.

The only thing that North Korea respects is the military capability to crush them.

MILITARY

SONAR SHOULD BE PART OF TRAINING MISSION

In John Culliney's diatribe against the use of sonar to prepare our military in times of necessity, he asks; "Who among our enemies is about to attack us from that sector?"

The same question was asked for years before misguided thugs flew civilian airliners into civilian buildings. The enemy would never use non-military means against non-military targets. The enemy will go to extraordinary lengths to kill Americans, any Americans and, yes, Mr. Culliney, the U.S. does indeed have enemies who possess subsurface capabilities that we should care about and train against.

Our military must train as they would protect us, using every tool available. Your naive attitude is utopian, one that the U.S. cannot afford to ascribe to ever again.

SENATE RACE

AKAKA-CASE DEBATE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

The Honolulu Advertiser editorial staff is particularly on point when it encourages our two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate to immediately hold debates. I know Rep. Ed Case is willing to debate Sen. Daniel Akaka anytime, any place and on any issue. The questions arises, why is Sen. Akaka reluctant to debate his record and political philosophy? What is he hiding? Is he afraid to defend his position on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)? Is he unable to articulate his position on the war and the many other critical issues of our day in person?

Hawai'i voters deserve to hear from both candidates in person and make side-by-side comparisons to make informed choices on election day.

RECYCLING

IT'S TIME TO MAKE IT EASIER TO TURN IN CANS

After realizing a great deal of aluminum cans and plastic bottles were being thrown away, I took the time to rinse out and bag the items. My son went to the only recycling center on the North Shore — in Kahuku — and was sent home with a large majority of his aluminum cans.

He was told that he is only allowed to turn in 700 items per day. This is ridiculous, since the recycling center has limited hours. The people of Hawai'i have made it easy for the state to collect the six cents; start making it easy for the people.

ISLAND ICON

RAINBOW SUGGESTED FOR HAWAI'I QUARTER

I do not remember seeing any suggestion for the Hawai'i state quarter that included a rainbow. How can a quarter representing the rainbow state omit such an important icon? Please say it isn't so!

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

TEACHERS WELCOME COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Jonathan Hunter (June/21) asks why private school teachers "wake up excited to go to work, while most public school teachers wonder if their union got them another waiver day." Waiver days are work days for upgrading skills and following through on educational issues.

Teachers leave our public schools for private schools not because of pay. Our math teacher went to Iolani because he needed more time with his young children. After teaching160 students, he was excited to find a maximum teaching load of 60, with at least three free periods each day. His previous "free" time was either before or after school. "Students want their papers back the same day," he marveled, "and we have time to do that!" He has no half-hour lunch periods or recess duty either. Another teacher confided, "I was so shocked to receive an envelope with 'appreciation' money when I chaperoned at a social."

Who would fault private-school teachers eager to work in modern, air-conditioned rooms? I have wall fans - geckos, roaches, and flies visit regularly. Now with screens added to louvered windows, we cope mainly with mosquitoes. Despite the heat, students come for help before or after school because of constraints in a heterogeneous class of 30 or more.

We have concerned parents and community volunteers who help, though, and we continue to receive generous technology and manpower support from the military.

Not as excited as private school teachers? Come visit us when a student with academic and social problems turns the corner. With more than double the workload of our two Iolani friends — but not at twice the pay — it could simply be we're more tired.

Let me assure Mr. Hunter we love working with students and want the very best for them. Spending our time and money is a given. Teaching is about caring and service — as you say, it's not about the money. I invite Mr. Hunter to volunteer in our schools. As my husband admits, "If I didn't know how hard teachers work, I'd be complaining, too!" We would be most grateful for your support.

TANTALUS KILLINGS

HPD DESERVES PRAISE FOR CATCHING SUSPECT

Our great fortune in being survivors of the Tantalus murders is just sinking in. Francine and I are very grateful for the calls of support from all of our friends. We are also grateful for the fine police work, which has gone unnoticed, that resulted in the capture of the suspect. Let's give the Honolulu Police Department the credit they deserve.

As I was on my way home the evening of the murder-robbery, I noticed that the police were stationed at the bottom of Tantalus Drive. I had no idea why. Evidently, upon first word of the shootings at the Round Top lookout, pending the investigation, the police positioned themselves to intercept anyone coming from the Round Top lookout crime scene. That was a quick-thinking, excellent strategic move. It paid off when Francine and I were able to free ourselves and call 911 to report the robbery with a description of the car taken by the suspect. It took us about seven minutes after the suspect left our house to make that call, leaving only another seven minutes for the suspect to get beyond where the police had positioned themselves. During that critical seven minutes the 911 personnel were able to get the description of our vehicle to the officers stationed below. Without that great communication and coordination, the suspect would have been long gone. As a result, the suspect was apprehended and all Honolulu is safer.

This was a job well done by our Honolulu Police Department.