MAHALO

MANY CARING PEOPLE HELPED SAVE MAN'S LIFE

Our 'ohana extends our gratitude to the many people who helped save our beloved uncle /father/husband/son.

Were it not for their kindness, he may not have received the necessary help in time after suffering a seizure-induced cardiac arrest.

Our family appreciates the fact that people did not hesitate to rush across a busy street to help.

In such dire times as these, with economic recession, occupational layoffs and a rising cost of living, these Good Samaritans were a beacon of hope, a shining example that Hawai'i's vaunted aloha spirit is alive and well.

Individuals such as these are living evidence that people truly care about others.

DESPERATE TIMES

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TOWARD THE WORTHWHILE

Victor Davis Hanson ("America has become the can't-do society," June 26), you have voiced what I have been trying to articulate since I read Hamlet last semester (shout out to Mrs. Dare).

The play gave me an extreme sense of familiarity, as if Hamlet were one of my friends, or brothers, or uncles. Now I know why: we are ALL Hamlet.

When will we stop trying to buy time and instead finally make a real decision? We have all become indecisive and jump from one bandwagon to the next, without any real aim.

This is a desperate time, a time when we need to band together and do something worthwhile. Worthwhile for the planet, for the people, for anything.

Instant gratification has become such a part of our lives that when immediate change is not seen, the movement is not believed to be worthwhile.

In the words of William Butler Yeats, "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity."

In this case, we certainly are the best — we have no conviction whatsoever.

Let's look inside ourselves and find that passionate intensity once again. It is still there, hiding beneath our mounds of videogames and shopping bags.

ENERGY

DEMOCRATS ARROGANT ON OIL DRILLING ISSUE

I have been calling Sen. Dan Akaka's office for the last several weeks to encourage him to allow American oil companies to drill for oil on our own soil.

I was surprised to find out he supported drilling in ANWR until last week.

I recently received an e-mail from his office stating that he does not believe that we can continue to provide for our nation's electricity and fuel needs by drilling for oil.

Why the about-face? What has changed? Has the Democratic Party establishment convinced him to fall in line with their false argument that drilling for more oil won't reduce prices?

Oil prices are high because we, as a world, are consuming more oil than we are producing.

Why is it that more supply would drive prices down for any other product except oil?

Are the Democrats that arrogant that they refuse to listen to the American people on this issue?

I am incredibly frustrated with this type of arrogance. We elect them to do our will, not the will of their party or their conscience. Why the about-face, Sen. Akaka?

SOLAR MANDATE LAW A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYONE

Now that the solar mandate is law, let's look at the bright side. The average homeowner will pay $33 more per month on their monthly mortgage payments but will probably save $50 to $125 per month on their electric bills.

If they maintain their solar system, it should last as long as their mortgage payments.

And if everyone installed solar on their homes, HECO might not have to build a new power plant. Win-win for everyone.

GOVERNMENT

AN OBAMA PRESIDENCY WILL SURELY RAISE TAXES

Hooray and right on! Your letter writer Richard Saas Saturday says it exactly right ("No longer any shame in living off taxpayers").

The left-Democratic definition of "fair taxation" says take from the "prosperous" who work for it and give to those who claim to need it. Saas makes it clear that "prosperous" includes even working-class couples and that those who "truly" need it should get all the support possible.

I am not predicting an Obama presidency will raise taxes, I am reporting it.

The mottos of the Obama crowd also are very much like those of the cheerleaders of failed countries. Communist Russia, Cuba, China and many countries in the U.N. make certain that the people will not have the power to object to nasty, murderous governments whose well-armed armies keep control for dictatorships.

As for the Supreme Court decision allowing honest citizens to own guns, some of the worst gun death statistics in the country, such as in Washington, D.C., will now be watched as their gun killings decline.

People who do not have guns cannot defend their homes, businesses and loved ones against the druggies, professional thieves, gangsters and other murderers who have them illegally.

Compliments to the governments of Hawai'i over the years that have allowed honest citizens to at least own guns at home.

LEGISLATURE

TANF FUND RESTRICTION WILL BE HARMFUL IN END

It's hard to figure out the logic behind the Legislature's decision to restrict the expenditure of TANF funds and divert them to an already-fat "rainy day" reserve.

The diverted funds were snatched from the hands of local nonprofits that implement a number of prevention programs around the state.

By taking away this funding, the Legislature has created a self-fulfilling prophecy — the rainy day will surely come.

Rarely do we see government agencies willing to invest in programs that have a delayed long-term result, but that is exactly what Lillian Koller and the Department of Human Services did.

This brave farsightedness deserves our admiration because it doesn't pay off in instant gratification; some of the programs DHS supported with TANF funds won't show benefits for years. But research tells us they WILL have positive results.

This Legislature has chosen to subvert programs that address the causes of social and economic issues in order to continue dealing with the effects.

Take, for instance, a program designed to get kids to read. If children read better, they like school more, do better in classes and stay in school longer. Studies also show that kids who do better in school are less likely to join gangs, take drugs, drop out of school or get pregnant.

Because reading and education start in the home, family involvement is critical. Programs that strengthen family relationships and give families the tools to create positive, literate home environments decrease self-destructive teenage behaviors. Giving a child the foundation to earn a living and contribute to society is far more cost-effective than paying for jail time.

We seem to keep throwing money at "poverty issues" without getting the results we need. How about being proactive for a change and tamping out social and economic embers before they catch fire? With some time, patience, and persistence, we can hold back the rain.

GOVERNMENT HEARINGS

PUBLIC COMMENT VIA 'OLELO IS ENCOURAGED

If the City Council and state Legislature want more citizen input and participation in government, they should have a live telephone call-in suggestion or comment line during a live telecast on 'olelo.

Not everyone has a computer and e-mail, but most people own a phone and a TV.

It would save gas, bus fare and parking money to attend the public hearings.

Our state consists of seven major islands, and not everyone can attend in person.

There should be no excuse for anyone to not share ideas and opinions with their elective officials.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

CHANGES SUGGESTED FOR FREEWAY MERGE AREA

With all the accidents occurring at H-1/H-2 merge, the following recommendations are strongly recommended and should be looked at by the Department of Transportation: