Voters lucky to have Abercrombie at helm

Richard Borreca’s recent column critical of Neil Abercrombie’s first 100 days in office is baffling ("Abercrombie’s first 100 days reveal worrisome inconsistencies," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, March 15).

Just last week I witnessed the governor receive a spontaneous standing ovation for his inspirational and disarmingly transparent sharing of information at a community gathering in Moiliili. His grasp of events in the world and in our neighborhoods, and his open and intelligent approach to tackling problems gives people a clear sense of confidence and pride in a politician we rarely are afforded.

As Abercrombie says, he is a public servant, and we will certainly be getting our money’s worth from him.

Shelly R. Brown
Honolulu

Last minute is not time for survival planning

The images of Sendai should be a sobering reminder that running to the market should not be the crux of your survival planning.

We live on the most remote islands in the world and full-scale recovery from a major hurricane would take weeks or longer. Our state has only a three-day supply of food. But that’s only if the inventory is not destroyed by wind or waves.

It’s amazing how many people have a teenager-like sense of invulnerability, that a few cases of water, beer and ramen is all you need to survive a major disaster like a Category 4 or 5 hurricane. The storm itself will be only the beginning of our problems.

Start building your emergency stock of water and food now. Just buy a little every month. Collapsible five-gallon water jugs for camping are cheap and take little storage space. And a bucket of freeze-dried emergency rations from Costco is about $90. It’s amazing how good and comforting it will make you feel.

Scot Shimamura
Honolulu

Shinseki would be best replacement for Akaka

With no offense to Maya Soetoro-Ng ("Replace Akaka with Soetoro-Ng," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 12), retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, secretary of Veterans Affairs, should be a candidate for U.S. senator who would continue the integrity and prestige of that office for Hawaii.

If Shinseki were elected, aided by Sen. Daniel Inouye’s seniority in the Senate and the respect afforded to him by President Barack Obama, Hawaii would greatly benefit via the awarding and infusion of military and other federal funds.

Based on Shinseki’s military record, education and endorsements, the Democratic primary in 2012 would merely be a formality.

Lloyd Nishina
Honolulu

Culture is no excuse for harming other beings

Since when is "culture" an excuse for the cruelty and greed of the shark fin and restaurant trade?

It is the same defense used by proponents of fireworks, which are dangerous, destructive, unhealthy and unenvironmental.

Like religion, culture can be contentious, infringing on the rights of others. Many aspects of culture are outdated, unacceptable and irrelevant. Freedom should only include practices that don’t impose or harm. All of Earth’s sentient creatures deserve that respect.

Terry Yada
Kailua

Police officers should double up in vehicles

Before the mayor and City Council start talking about user fees, they need to look at the waste of money in the Honolulu Police Department. The HPD policy of having only one officer per cruiser or having officers drive their own private vehicles is a waste of taxpayer money.

With higher prices for gas, the city needs to assign two police officers per cruiser and stop using private vehicles. If there are not enough vehicles, then get the HPD out doing walking patrols.

In congested Waikiki, we usually see two or three police cruisers with only one driver per car. If we double the officers per cruiser, only one cruiser would be needed, thus better management at the Honolulu Police Department and less congestion.

Brent Ellis
Honolulu

Government workers sure have a good life

I envy teachers because when the ground shook in Japan, our taxpayer-funded schools closed down.

I run a business and must make a profit and balance a budget. To all of those funded by us, the hard-working non-government employers, I envy your vacations, time off, good pay and medical plans.

We all experienced the same thing here in Hawaii, but you, the privileged ones, got the day off.

Jim Delmonte
Honolulu