EMPLOYMENT

SHORTAGE OF WORKERS? TRY TO FIND RIGHT JOB

I have been closely following articles on the shortage of workers in Honolulu.

I have been looking for work in some type of international field based in Honolulu. I have a bachelor's degree and two years of work experience in China, speak fluent Mandarin and am trying to start my own part-time business.

My friend also wants to come to Honolulu to work. She is Brazilian, with a bachelor's degree in hospitality. She is in Florida on a work-study internship with a hotel. She speaks perfect English, conversational Spanish, and Japanese.

Where are the jobs for people like us? I have read so many articles about Hawai'i not being able to find enough people, that everyone is understaffed and yet I have not seen anything actually available, aside from wage work/part-time work.

I found work as a security guard quickly enough, but I am looking to build a career. My friend wants to work in the hotel industry, has the experience, and yet in a city of hotels that is supposedly short of workers, she can't find a single spot.

We are frustrated that for the seemingly large cornucopia of opportunities, we cannot find anything that will allow us to live and work here.

JUSTICE

LIBBY COMMUTATION BLEAK, DISHONORABLE

The scales of justice in America have yet again succumbed to the heavy hand of the Bush administration. Another bleak and dishonorable day has passed at the White House.

Last week, President Bush proved that in his America, justice is neither blind nor equal.

With the passing of executive clemency for Lewis Libby, Bush has assured us that in the executive branch, the rule of law has no place. The "justice" that is enjoyed by Bush officials does not apply to you or me.

According to the president, "the suffering of family members" is not only singular to White House felons but also serves as an adequate punishment for them. Prison time is not for White House officials; it's too difficult. The financial stress of paying a $250,000 fine if you're a wealthy, corporate-backed politician is also punishment enough.

Now with this sad display of presidential leadership added onto the pile of others, at what point will we as a country say "Enough is enough"?

Can we wait until January 2009? Is our democracy worth the perpetual train wreck of this presidency?

KAPI'OLANI PARK

PLEASE DO NOT DECREASE FREE PARKING ON PAKI

I am concerned about the planned widening and changes along Paki Avenue on the mauka side of Kapi'olani Park.

I've lost a tire to a Paki pothole, so I certainly see the need for resurfacing, and even a widening along the bus stops.

But please, please, do not decrease the number of unmetered parking spaces along our park. Already, more than half the parking around the park and zoo is metered, and the Paki Avenue spaces are needed by the thousands of patrons who play soccer, fly kites, picnic, surf the nearby beaches, go to meetings and who enjoy the purpose for which Kapi'olani Park was created.

Our beloved park is a destination, not a drive-by. Resurfacing is definitely needed, but accessibility and the maintenance of the spirit and purpose for which the park exists, is — to me — the higher calling.

BWS

WATER-QUALITY REPORT REQUIRED BY U.S. LAW

A letter in the June 26 issue of The Honolulu Advertiser ("Is water-quality report wrong use of funds?") talks about the Board of Water Supply's 2007 Water Quality Report.

To clarify, federal law requires the Board of Water Supply to print and mail a water-quality report each year to our consumers.

This regulation is known as the Consumer Confidence Report Regulation and requires all community water purveyors to provide an annual report on the quality of the drinking water delivered to its customers.

Each year our CCR team reviews the production costs to ensure we make the best use of BWS funds.