Ige’s win a victory for public education

Nobody deserves more credit for state Sen. David Ige’s victory than the candidate himself. Ige set a goal, worked hard, and never let his opponent’s superior fundraising machine and White House connections get him discouraged. However, on primary election night, I noticed that Ige thanked the state’s teachers even before expressing gratitude to his own parents.

Taking nothing away from the candidate and his very capable campaign team, the fact remains that Ige’s victory was a stupendous display of power by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Of course, we all know that with the general election fast approaching, the goal remains only half-finished. But I want to thank our own Hawaii David for giving those of us who believe in public education hope that the three-headed Goliath of Abercrombie-Horner-Matayoshi will finally be slain. And more specifically, that their ill-advised corporate-inspired education reform efforts will be sent packing with a not-so-fond "Aloha!"

Dennis M. Tynan
Makaha

Families will pay for affluent seniors

State government services will continue to be paid for by struggling working families with mortgages or rents to pay and children to raise and educate.

Those with houses completely paid for and children already raised, collecting a state pension and Social Security, will continue to pay little or nothing for state government services thanks to the intransigence of the AARP and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, who very successfully punished our governor because he thought maybe we should try bending so we do not break.

Kent Bennett
Kamehameha Heights

Puna residents need more help

Whenever there is a natural disaster anywhere, the United States is the first to help. Where’s the help when our own people need it?

The devastation in Puna is more than the county can handle. The roadways are impassable, there’s downed power lines everywhere, some are trapped with no way out of their communities.

How long could you last without electricity, water or ice? Our governor could get the National Guard to help. He could get emergency funding to get quick disaster relief to Puna. Many residents in Puna use catchment systems with water that became undrinkable due to the toxic plume released by Puna Geothermal.

The Superferry could have gotten the heavy machinery to Hilo within hours. Our Legislature killed that lifeline. The neglected people of Puna now hold the votes for our next U.S. Senator. Who is going to step up to the plate and help?

Pauline Arellano
Mililani

‘Volunt-heroes’ manned the polls

I was a precinct chairman during the primary election. I need to recognize the four out of 14 allocated poll worker slots that were filled by my newest voting heroes: Rose Barbee, James "Kimo" Fallau, Kathleen Jensen and James Kehrer. They processed more than 400 votes on Saturday.

They worked tirelessly and without much recognition or appreciation from the voting public. I can count on one hand the amount of compliments received from the voters for their efforts.

I take the voting process very seriously and revere the principle of it all. I am proud of all the "volunt-heroes" across our state.

To the voter, get involved. Do not complain about the processing speed, unless you have given your best efforts to affect a positive change.

We’ll see you in the November 2014 general election.

Christopher "Chris" M. Sablan
Makiki

Voters rejected polarizing pols

Hawaii voters have, for a change, shown great common sense by weeding out polarizing politicians in the state primary elections.

Acid-tongued sourpusses like state Sens. Clayton Hee, Malama Solomon, Donna Kim Mercado and others who have spent their careers treating the public like Ebola victims have finally been put in the political isolation room, for now, halting the careers of several folks who have held the mantle of power far too long.

Some, if not all, of them will be back in one capacity or another. So goes island politics. But for now a burst of fresh air is whisking the stale breath of arrogant, rude and backbiting politicians from the state Capitol and other places where old-time Hawaii politicos lurk.

Kudos to the voters of Hawaii.

Bob Loy
Norman, Okla.

A lot of workers for a fallen branch

It is refreshing to see our tax dollars’ "inaction." Under the headline "LUCKY BREAK," (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 9), the front page picture shows 13 people hard at work clearing a fallen tree limb.

There are four orange-hat supervisors, three Honolulu police cars, five highway trucks and one mini pay-loader. I am truly impressed.

Robert A. Levy
Kahala

Give UH’s Lassner support he needs

It is difficult to be a leader and make the hard decisions. It’s important to give University of Hawaii President David Lassner a chance to do his job.

Even before his appointment, there were concerns that selecting someone in the system might mean "more of the same" or keeping the status quo. Ironically, when he initiates a change, he is attacked! I don’t know all of the details, but neither do the students. Lassner has made it clear that he is taking the high road and will not disclose confidential information to justify his decision to let UH-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple go.

Let’s have faith that Lassner will continue to do what is in the university’s best interest. He has not been known to be an impulsive or vindictive person. I can’t imagine that he would start now, especially with so many eyes on him. I hope all stakeholders will give Lassner their support and work with, not against, him to create the best university system possible.

Inga Park Okuna
Manoa