Star-Bulletin 1996 Golden Letter winners, whose submissions were voted best letters of the month, recently were the special guests at a luncheon in their honor hosted by the newspaper's Editorial Board. The winning letters are excerpted below.
I am concerned about a current televised commercial sponsored by the state Department of Education. The commercial suggests that when a cooking timer goes off, the student is pau with studying, that he/she is free to put away the books. But what if the work isn't finished? What if it's not done with care? The implication is that this is OK; the student has put in his/her allotted time. January
DOE commercial
puts time limit on learningDeLacy Ganley
Jan. 19, 1996
To say that John Miranda's problems and his family's frustration with law-enforcement professionals resulted from and were justified by their part-Hawaiian blood is insulting to all Hawaiians. Turning human agony and a complex situation into a simplistic racial issue does nothing to help heal problems that do exist. February
No group has a corner
on family values and loveDiane D. Ackerson
Feb. 16, 1996
It is an intimidating experience for the average citizen to stand before a Senate committee and testify for or against a bill. Being made to feel ignored and disrespected further discourages public participation within our government. March
Legislators should perk up
when constituents testifyBrenda Crabbe
March 16, 1996
It's interesting to hear many of the new residents of Barbers Point -- who desperately wanted to buy, build or rent new houses in that area -- now think the airfield should "leave town." What about seniority? Who got there first? April
Let's remember,
airfield at Barbers was there firstRay Thiele
April 15, 1996
Many (if not most) of the visitors and people who move here have a misguided belief that this is "paradise." Maybe we should hand out literature at the airports with this message: "CAUTION. You are not on "Fantasy Island." Some people are criminals who may rob or harm you, so don't go cruising around like this is the set of 'It's a Small World.'" May
Tourists need to wise up
to realities of paradiseKealapono Young
May 1, 1996
It is appalling that at least half the children in Hawaii under age 18 have not been taught to swim well enough to survive an unexpected immersion. If every child living on these islands was taught to swim and respect the ocean, we would experience fewer aquatic tragedies and would see more great Hawaii swimmers on the starting blocks in future Olympic Games. June
Children are drowning
from lack of swim skillsRalph S. Goto
June 26, 1996
I am dismayed by the indifference of Filipino gang members, as reported in your July 12 story, "Gang members say meeting with the mayor is a waste." Recognition through lawlessness only undermines other Filipinos who are trying to get on par with other ethnic groups who are already in the upper strata of success. July
Filipino gang members
lost respect for cultureBenjamin B. Velarde
July 26, 1996
When you are well into this career called teaching, you realize the pay is not equitable for the amount of time and effort, for your own money spent. But this is what my daughter, Kathryn, desires most to do. Biting my lip, I tell her to go for it. She will become the answer to some other mother's prayer. August
Highs and lows await child
who yearns to teachBarbara Hotta Abrew
Aug. 31, 1996
So the state Board of Education has proposed that seniors who have three weeks (or even more) of unexcused absences still be allowed to take part in graduation exercises. Once these students leave school, they will quickly learn that no employer will tolerate three weeks a year of unexcused absences, no matter how well they perform when at work. September
BOE ruling on truancy
doesn't reflect real lifeClifford Nishimura
Sept. 3, 1996
I find it most interesting that the term "mud-slinging" is now taken to mean anything said that is not favorable to a candidate's political opponent. It is not mud-slinging to "talk stink" about your opponent if you can back it up with facts and if it is pertinent to the election. October
It's not mud-slinging
if deficiencies are realRandy Dela Cruz
Oct. 3, 1996
Who can most effectively fight crime? We can. Areas with high crime rates are characterized by instability, poverty and little sense of community. Areas with low crime rates, rich or poor, are noted for the willingness of the residents to look out for each other's welfare. November
Hiring lots more police
won't help fight crimeC. Richard Fassler
Nov. 16, 1996
Governor Cayetano recently stated the university should support an Asian-Pacific perspective: "The Pacific is our world. Not Europe." It is time that the governor be apprised of how his budget cuts have cut the heart out of Pacific/Asian languages at the community colleges. December
Governor's commitment
to crossroads is lackingCarol Beresiwsky
Dec. 13, 1996
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