FIRE CHIEF RESPONDS

DATA STORY MAY HAVE LEFT FALSE IMPRESSION

In response to Thursday's article on fire inspection records, I am concerned that a false impression may have been made of the Honolulu Fire Department's fire inspection database. To clarify, the HFD spent approximately $300,000 on a records management system, not a fire inspection database; the purchased laptops do work; many of our files were not misplaced during our move, rather a few files may have been misfiled; and we continue to work with the city's Department of Information Technology on creating a new fire inspection database.

Perhaps the most important aspect left out of the article is that the new HFD administration recognized the fire inspection database's shortcomings as soon as it came on board in 2006. As I explained to The Advertiser's reporter, the HFD's Master Strategic Plan addresses this need and focuses on solving this problem.

The HFD has made improvements to its fire-inspection database and will continue making improvements until the problems are fixed.

The HFD has continually sought to improve its inspection record-keeping system and meet its statutory inspectional responsibility.

In short, despite some glitches in the inspection database system, our ability to protect the community remains unaffected.

'EXTREME MAKEOVER'

AKANA FAMILY DESERVES HOUSE FROM TV SERIES

Momi Akana, by meeting the criteria set by the "Extreme Makeover" show, deserves the benefit of her new home.

Her income was not a consideration.

When "Extreme Makeover" chose Momi Akana and her family to be a part of their series, they may have unwittingly been following the footsteps of another famous builder and carpenter and chose between a family to give some fish to or a family who could teach other Hawai'i families to fish for themselves.

Good luck to you, Momi. I am glad you have better tools now to pursue your good works. I wish you success in what is obviously your passion and calling.

WHY FIND FAULT OVER NEW-HOME RECIPIENT?

I don't get it. It seems to me Advertiser reporters Rick Daysog and Kim Fassler have taken a "feel good" story about someone and cast aspersions on her and her husband.

It appears Theresa Akana has worked diligently over the years and contributed to her community and strived to educate children and parents through Native Hawaiian cultural programs.

The reporters list the numerous awards and accolades Akana has earned.

But the headline trumpets, "Recipient of 'Extreme Makeover' home earns $100,000-plus salary."

So what? What's the point? The only thing sinister (ridiculous, really) is the reporters trying to find fault with the show's choice of a recipient. Bush league.

PARKING

MOVE CHINATOWN TO KAPOLEI TO EASE CRUNCH

Re: worsening parking woes (Advertiser, July 2): My suggestion is to move Chinatown to Kapolei. They have a lot of space out there.

WATER

FIXED-WING PLANES COULD HELP FIGHT FIRES

A number of large fires have hit the state recently, causing property damage, road closures and lost time for residents and visitors.

It appears that the best way to fight these fires is with helicopters that carry large buckets that are refilled by dipping them into the ocean. In the case of the Olowalu fire, the helicopters didn't appear to be very effective because the wind carried the water too fast.

Has the state ever considered using fixed-wing aircraft to fight large fires? The maximum a bucket can carry is 2,000 gallons.

Fixed-wing aircraft can carry up to 12,000 gallons of water or fire retardant.

A 747 under development will carry 24,000 gallons. These aircraft have proven to be very effective on the Mainland.

Refilling the aircraft can be done in two ways. They can be filled at an airport or amphibian aircraft can land on the ocean and scoop up water.

The state should seriously consider buying or leasing on a seasonal basis one of these aircraft.

It could be based on O'ahu and made available to all the islands.

PSYCHOLOGISTS

AMA SUPPORTS VETO OF DRUG PRESCRIPTION BILL

The American Medical Association applauds Gov. Linda Lingle for listing SB1004 among those she is considering to veto, and urge her to make her stance official before the July 10 deadline.

This bill would allow healthcare professionals who have not undergone extensive and necessary education and training to prescribe powerful and potentially dangerous medications to patients.

We strongly believe in the team approach to healthcare and feel that each member of the medical team plays a vital role in the care of our patients, but patient safety demands the highest scrutiny and caution.

The medications discussed in this bill are used to treat mental illness and can bring about potentially dangerous complications if not properly prescribed.

Physicians devote years to extensive training and education so they can expertly respond to any complications that may arise, as well as monitor and tailor treatment to meet each patient's individual needs.

When it comes to patient safety and high-quality care there are no shortcuts. Our thanks to Governor Lingle for recognizing this and taking the right action.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

JAYWALKER SHOULD BE COUNTING HIS BLESSINGS

In response to Todd Benson's July 2 letter ("Citation dismissed over info on ticket"), Mr. Benson should be counting his blessings that his life was possibly saved by the policeman who gave him a citation for being in the process of jaywalking.

Rather than being thankful, Mr. Benson chooses to focus on the fact he was able to beat the ticket since he really hadn't yet jaywalked.

Mr. Benson, you should write a thank-you note to the policeman, whose real intention was to save your life rather than just give you a ticket.

Had he allowed you to jaywalk, which you admit you were going to do, you may not be here today to read my letter to the editor.

VETO URGED

HB91 DOES NOT SERVE INTERESTS OF ISLE CPAS

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the national association of the CPA profession, believes that Gov. Linda Lingle should veto HB 91. The legislation would make Hawai'i's standards for sitting for the CPA examination the lowest in the nation and put its future CPAs at a competitive disadvantage with their professional colleagues in other states.

The legislation would require no accounting education concentration, something all states demand.

CPA candidates need a broad educational base that encompasses accounting and business so they can develop the requisite skills to succeed in an ever-changing global economy.

Another significant reason to veto HB91 is its licensure provision, which would roll back Hawai'i's current broad-based requirement for one year of general experience verified by a licensed CPA to a more restrictive requirement limiting the experience to one year in public accounting practice. Such an action does not reflect the current environment of CPA services.

Ultimately, other states with higher standards would be less likely to offer full reciprocity to Hawai'i's CPAs.

HB91 would not serve the interests of Hawai'i's CPAs or its business community.

'SCOOTER,' PARIS AND THE NATURE OF JUSTICE

SCOOTER GETS OFF; WHAT MUST PARIS THINK OF IT?

Scooter Libby does no time? What would Paris Hilton think?

DOES LIBBY DECISION MEAN IT'S OK TO LIE?

Scooter Libby, who was convicted of perjury and obstruction in the CIA leak case, had his prison sentence commuted by our President Bush.

Are we telling people that it is OK to lie and get off the hook?

If that's the case, why was President Clinton impeached for lying about being a "naughty boy" and not even jeopardizing the country? Have we gone mad with our legal system, or is it just politics brouhaha?

I can't wait for the change of guard at the White House.

LIBBY SENTENCE WAS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE

Hooray for President Bush in commuting Scooter Libby's prison sentence.

Using his constitutional powers to spare the vice president's chief of staff from serving jail time in the wake of what was clearly a politically contrived witch-hunt, George W. Bush overturned an obscene miscarriage of justice.

Unlike the ungrateful baby boomer hypocrites who comprise the majority of this gutless postwar generation, Mr. Bush has the courage to do what is right and the true grit to persevere in the face of adversity.

Personally, I regret he cannot serve another eight years as our president. His strength of character will be sorely missed in the difficult years ahead.