FILM OFFICE MEANS MILLIONS FOR THE STATE

What is Gov. Lingle doing, placing the entire staff of the Hawaii Film Office on her layoff list? That office is probably the only functioning agency within DBEDT.

Not only did it process a record number of film permits last year, but it helped productions on the Mainland implement Act 88 tax credits and other incentives intended to bring TV shows, movies and other productions to our state.

If Hollywood finds out no one in Hawai'i will help them, do you think they will come here? Think of the millions of dollars that would be turned away.

Maybe instead of laying off the film office staff, you should get rid of some of your directors.

Erik Abe | Honolulu

KAZUKO HARDY

PET-LOVING LADY SHOWED GRACE, CLASS

Thank you to Leslie Kawamoto for her beautiful story on the late Kazuko Hardy (July 19). I also had the privilege of meeting Kazuko, and she was a vital member of our cancer support group at Straub Clinic & Hospital. Her dog Yuuki made a few cameo appearances at our monthly meetings, and the love they had for one another was truly visible.

Kazuko was a woman who really embraced life and was a wonderful example of optimism, courage and grace to our group members. She would encourage others to refrain from procrastination and to do things that they always wanted to do. She exemplified this by continuing to dance with her group, sewing (and wearing) her own beautiful clothes, and even purchasing new bedding to help her cope with the uncomfortable side effects of her treatment. She would always lend a voice of encouragement when needed, and she genuinely cared about those with whom she came into contact with. It grieves me to learn of her passing, and she will be sorely missed.

May we all embrace life and its many challenges with the same grace and class that she did.

Ronni L. Oune, LCSW | Social worker, Straub Clinic & Hospital

STATE, UNIONS

LAYOFFS ONLY WAY IF PARTIES CAN'T AGREE

On July 21, there was an article on the front page regarding a layoff list proposed by Gov. Lingle. I understand that the state needs to do something to reduce the deficit, and this is something that must be negotiated by the state and the unions. If the two parties cannot agree on a solution, then layoffs are the only viable solution.

For Sen. Inouye to comment on this subject is totally inappropriate. Senator, stick to federal issues and keep your left-wing ideas to yourself. Concentrate on trying to keep our country from going bankrupt with all of your party's "change."

Steve Loring | 'Ewa Beach

BEAUTIFICATION

HONOLULU SHOULD PREPARE FOR VISITORS

This September, Pittsburgh will be host to representatives of 20 countries and nearly 3,000 media personnel who will be coming for the G-20 Summit.

Should Honolulu be chosen as the next host city for the G-20 Summit: Would the streets in Waikiki be paved? Would North King Street and downtown Honolulu be spruced up? Would the graffiti and other eyesores on Nimitz Highway be addressed? Would the beaches in Kahala be cleaned and the illegal shrubbery removed?

I believe the answer to all of these questions would be yes. Why not begin the beautification process now?

Carlino Giampolo | Honolulu

WIENERMOBILE

OBJECTION TO FUN, GOODWILL WAS SILLY

I grew up outside Milwaukee, about 80 miles from Oscar Mayer's headquarters in Madison, Wis. When I was a small kid (in the '50s), the Wienermobile would come driving through our neighborhood, playing its jingle. We kids would come running to get the free hot dogs they were handing out.

The Wienermobile isn't a marketing machine. It is an institution, and does more to spread fun and goodwill than market product. It will make it into the Smithsonian, if it isn't already there.

The Outdoor Circle's representative, talking about the six to 12 calls of protest they received, looked awfully pitiful when they showed the film of all the smiling keiki having a great time getting to visit the Weinermobile, eating their hot dogs. With parents taking proud pictures.

If you want to remain a respected organization, you have to learn to choose your battles. You come off looking silly objecting to this. Save yourselves for something that really needs your attention. Let the Weinermobile keep on coming.

Pamela Pearl Schildknecht | Kane'ohe

RAIL TRANSIT

REPORT GIVES PROJECT MAJOR PUSH FORWARD

The Hannemann administration is pleased that Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.'s oversight report for the Honolulu Rail Transit project shows that the project's budget is sound and ready to take a huge step forward into the next phase of planning.

The report is a clear indication of how closely we are working with our partners at the Federal Transit Administration to ensure a successful project.

According to the report, the rail project is qualified to enter preliminary engineering — a key milestone.

The report concluded that the project's timetable and $5.2 billion budget are realistic and acceptable at this stage. Jacobs verifies the overall accuracy of our current cost estimates, which maintain a $1.2 billion contingency reserve.

Jacobs is not the only third party reviewing our work. The FTA has also engaged Booz Allen Hamilton to prepare another report. Preliminary findings are also supportive of the project.

Mayor Hannemann has always insisted that we work closely with the FTA. The agency has been our partner since Day One and continues to exercise rigorous oversight.

We welcome this ongoing scrutiny to ensure that this world-class project is completed on time and on budget, and we'll continue to share such information with the public.

Toru Hamayasu | Deputy director, Department of Transportation Services