HTA

REX JOHNSON SHOULD BE FIRED IF REPORT CORRECT

If The Advertiser report is correct, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority needs to fire CEO Rex Johnson immediately.

Anyone who thinks it's funny for an African American to be called a "coon" and a woman to be called a "beaver" should not be on the state's payroll and selling the state as place of aloha.

The news makes the state a laughingstock. Perhaps the board could overlook his pornography. We all know some men can be stupid about sex.

However, his forwarding of racial and sexual jokes reveals prejudices and bigotry about African Americans and women that is simply not acceptable. Cutting his salary is not sufficient. Fire him.

JOHNSON MUST RESIGN FROM TOURISM JOB

Rex Johnson must resign immediately as CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. It is untenable that a man so lacking in integrity and good judgment can retain a state position of authority and responsibility.

That he used his state computer and time at his job that is underwritten by the taxpayers of Hawai'i to send e-mails to friends denigrating African Americans, Hispanic Americans and women should not be tolerated by the HTA board, the tourism community or the people of Hawai'i.

His sexist and racist e-mails demonstrate that he is a man of questionable character who does not deserve a position of such authority, let alone one that pays $200,000 per year — already decreased by $40,000 because of the finding last month that he had also used his computer to send pornographic e-mails.

There should also be an investigation of Hawai'i Tourism Authority board members to discover why — when board members were probably aware of Rex Johnson's racist and sexist e-mails — they did not address that fact when he was disciplined last month.

ELECTION 2008

SMART PEOPLE NEEDED TO FIX ISLE PROBLEMS

Hawai'i needs smart people to solve the problems that face it.

If Panos Prevedouros doesn't win the election for mayor, I wonder if he'll go back to teaching or if he'll try for a job that can directly help fix the transportation problems in Hawai'i.

PRIMARY ELECTION

VOTER WANTS PAPER, NOT ELECTRONIC, BALLOTS

All polling places are not created equal. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, I went to one of the promoted walk-in voting sites, Campus Center at the University of Hawai'i. As a good citizen I was eager to cast my ballot. Imagine my shock when I saw the posted notice: "No Paper Ballots. Electronic Voting Only."

I, like many others, do not trust electronic voting. I believe the only way to be guaranteed my vote will count is to use a paper ballot. I left, dismayed.

Several hours later I made my way to Honolulu Hale, where I cast a paper ballot. How many others showing up for walk-in voting will be dismayed by not being able to use a paper ballot and will not vote, therefore becoming disenfranchised?

I was told at Honolulu Hale that several of the walk-in locations are electronic only. Voter beware!

WAIKIKI

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT HOMELESS

I am a senior citizen who was lucky to retire to Waikiki.

Lately, whenever I go to the beach in Waikiki I am sad to see so many homeless wandering the beach area. In speaking to visitors, I hear too many comments about how Waikiki has changed since they were here years ago. Many are older citizens from all over the world and I feel a certain responsibility to defend my wonderful adopted home.

I hear them tell me they are frightened to walk at night. What would our beautiful island be without these tourists?

Things unfortunately are getting more expensive for all of us. Since our island depends on tourists, shouldn't we make sure they go home with a glowing report of our wonderful Waikiki?

I feel sad that our homeless are free to wander all over our beautiful beaches and streets. What can be done about this terrible problem, Gov. Lingle?

I admit I don't know what can be done, but let us all save our worldwide reputation as the island of paradise.

BUDGET SHORTFALL

STATE NEEDS SOME TRUE STRATEGIC PLANNING

The state government is facing a $900 million shortfall for next year. We should look at this as an opportunity.

We can debate about the role of government in society. We can talk about what distinguishes essential government services from nonessential ones. We can talk about what kinds of programs are important priorities versus those that are merely nice to have.

But if we just say that there is going to be a 10 percent across-the-board reduction for every state program, we will miss the opportunity to redefine government. All we will have is a government that is universally less effective.

Doing true strategic planning would be a better approach. Now if we thought that the lower tax revenues were temporary that would be one thing.

But given the fact that higher airline fuel prices and higher airline ticket prices are likely to be permanent, we have to consider whether it is time to adjust to a new economic reality.

PALIN

FALLS SHORT ON FOREIGN POLICY QUALIFICATIONS

When asked during her ABC TV interview about her qualifications on foreign policy and how living in Alaska qualifies her for dealing with Russia she said, "Well, you can see Russia from an island here in Alaska" — that really qualifies her.

In that sense, if you pump gas into your auto then you are a gasoline expert and believe yourself able to comment on world oil policies. How about if you fly Hawaiian to Vegas? "Well I once flew on an airplane" — does that qualify you to be a pilot? This sounds like a Holiday Inn commercial!