Newspaper is promoting
pro-gay marriage stance

Your three-part series on gay marriage is best suited to run on the editorial page rather than in the news section. True journalism would attempt to present both sides of an issue.

Under the guise of being objective, your one-sided, pro-gay series is another example of media bias attempting to brainwash the public to suit personal agendas.

Dennis Tingey
Pearl City
(Via the Internet)

Those who vote away rights
must face consequences

A kangaroo court was held at the Capitol when the House voted on HB 117 (Proposal to a Constitutional Amendment Relating to Marriage). Only one representative, Ed Case, was able to see the bill had all of the earmarkings of discrimination and oppression. Only one voted against throwing the gay community to the lions by calling for a Constitutional amendment.

It is a sad day in the history of Hawaii when representatives vote to appease some of their constituents at the expense of the rights of a minority group of citizens.

This vote condones parents who throw their children out of their homes when they learn their kids are gay. These representatives should accept the consequences of their votes.

The next time a teen is homeless after "coming out" to his or her parents, I will personally call these fine, upstanding representatives so that they can come up with shelter, food and clothing expenses for the young person. This is what responsibility is all about.

Carolyn Martinez Golujuch
President
Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays

State is doing its best
to fight homelessness

Mayor Harris' public comment on homelessness in Hawaii - that there's an "absence in state solutions" - is inaccurate and misleads the public into thinking that nothing is being done. The state has provided shelter and services to 17,142 homeless people through 25 private, nonprofit and county housing agencies in 1996.

These agencies provided:

Shelter: The state annually gives almost $3 million to emergency and transitional shelters to help cover shelter costs and provide social services.

Outreach services: The state spends $600,000 to reach out to homeless families and individuals where they live - on beaches, parks and streets - to get them the health and social services they need.

Grants: Last year, $163,870 was given out to families to prevent or correct homelessness through one-time financial aid for rent, security deposits, utilities, medical care or other emergency needs.

The future also looks promising, as the state's homeless efforts are to include 78 acres of land that have been set aside for transitional, permanent and special-needs housing at Barbers Point Naval Air Station.

Barbers Point also represents an excellent opportunity for the state, city and federal governments to work together to resolve this complicated and monumental issue. After all, homelessness is EVERYONE'S problem.

Sharon Yamada
Executive Director
State Dept. of Human Services
Hawaii Housing Authority

Hawaii’s book-buying fiasco
has a national audience

I wonder if the people in Hawaii know how closely other states are watching the library issue there. I am a Connecticut librarian who is appalled at the mess (State Librarian) Bart Kane has gotten Hawaii into! Has he considered the implications of what he has done? Does he talk to other librarians or library users?

Collection development is something that librarians take great pride in. It takes a finger on the pulse of your clientele, a juggling act (wants, needs and money), and lots of time to do it right. And people DO know if you're doing it wrong.

People tend to think that materials magically appear on library shelves, and we as librarians haven't found a way to make them know otherwise. But we all know it takes a lot more than a contract with a bookseller to build good collections. Good luck, Hawaii. You're going to need it!

Linda Williams
Conventry, Conn.
(Via the Internet)

Oahu skateboarders
need someplace to roll along

The city should change the "No Skateboarding'' signs in parks. There is nothing wrong with skateboarding. It doesn't hurt anybody or anything, but you always see those signs. It just doesn't make any sense.

Whenever I want to skate, I always have to find a good place to ditch my board if a cop comes. Some people say, "Go to a skate park," but there aren't any skate parks near my house. I don't want to drive somewhere just to skate.

I think that the city should change the rules to accommodate skateboarding, or just shell out the big bucks to build skate parks all over the island.

Joel Mark
7th Grade, Punahou School

Why are we denying raises
to our valuable teachers?

Anyone who has become "somebody'' was taught by a teacher. Yet we still see the Legislature fighting with the teachers' union about salaries.

These people have made a difference in so many lives. It's time that we recognize them and pay them their due. Teachers work for low wages in less than adequate situations. I, for one, applaud their efforts.

Many of you have made a difference in my life. I will not forget you.

Gary Bachesta
(Via the Internet)

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Same-sex archive