REINSTATE DAYS BUT DON'T DISS TEACHERS

I'm dismayed at the mentality of our community. We are now making Gov. Lingle a hero for trying to reinstate the furlough days? She is the reason for the furlough days. Our economy and the deficient budget is not something that happened overnight. It's been a problem for years.

Several years ago when the teachers' contract was in negotiations, she stated that the state "has no money." So what has she done to resolve the money problem? Absolutely nothing! Now she's trying to make back classroom time by stealing from the rainy day funds and from the teachers.

Our teachers have been supporting education for too long. If she wants to reinstate furlough days, pay for it. Don't take anything away from the teachers. If the state wants teachers in school, fund it. Teachers aren't paid enough now. They work many more hours of their own time, not including their out-of-pocket expenses for resource materials and supplies. It's time to give the teachers the support they deserve. Teachers deserve more respect.

C. MURAKAMI | Kailua

HANSON

U.S. HAS GAINED RESPECT ABROAD

I question why your newspaper continues to have Victor Davis Hanson editorials. His Nov. 19 column "America is losing its luster abroad" is the kind of Fox News mis-information that President Obama has complained about. Every poll that I have seen on cable news, print news and magazines has one general trend: America is more respected abroad since President Bush has left office, along with his gunboat diplomacy.

Now there are legitimate domestic concerns regarding health care financing, debt spending and military involvement where President Obama is losing support from independent voters. Using diplomacy abroad still commands independent support.

The one thing Hanson got correct is saying that people are in no mood to hear more American lectures. And his very questionable lectures should be the first to go.

JIM WOLFE | Nuuanu

BATTLE OF WANAT

SERIES AN EXAMPLE OF FINE JOURNALISM

I want to acknowledge the outstanding journalism exhibited this week in the Battle of Wanat articles. This is why we will continue to buy newspapers in the digital age. This is what we pay for.

JOHN BYRD | Mililani

HEALTH CARE

LOOK AT ROOT CAUSES OF INCREASING COSTS

With the increasing cost of health care, the government's answer is to socialize it without looking at the root causes of the increasing costs. If the government had applied root-cause analysis, it would discover that it was the source of rising costs as it has tried to regulate health care since the 1960s. Socializing health care will only increase costs and reduce services.

What should happen is a review of government regulations to discard those that are restrictive. One example of this is to allow all insurers to compete in all states; this is the only way to achieve the goal of choice and competition. But unless the citizens speak up, government will go on to serve special interests that only serve a few at the cost of the people.

Government-run health care has never reached the goal of targeted costs and services whether at a national level (Medicare) or state level (Massachusetts/Tennessee). If the tests have all failed on smaller scales, then why would we attempt to expand it to a national level?

PAUL W. THEISEN | Aiea

TOURISM

LET'S KEEP ALOHA SPIRIT ALIVE IN ISLES

I just returned from Singapore and experienced the hospitality extended by the Singapore government and its people to APEC delegates and visitors in general.

Singapore is a clean, efficient, beautifully landscaped and vibrant city, with no signs of recession. Cab drivers, sales clerks and hotel personnel make the visitor feel welcome.

Singapore used Hawaii as a model decades ago and has succeeded in creating a beautiful environment in which to work and play. The Singapore Tourism Board has made a real effort to assist visitors by providing information booths with well-trained staff in major shopping malls.

Over the years, I've witnessed a decline in the aloha spirit and the sharing of this special gift with our Island visitors. Many Waikíkí hotels and businesses are owned by Mainland or foreign corporations. I'm not sure what it will take to get management and staff educated in our Hawaiian culture so that aloha will survive. I've always said, "Bring your culture and heritage, but also learn Hawaiian style while here."

Hawaii has its unique magic, and we need to keep it alive. "Aloha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi" - "Love one another." Let's all work together to keep Hawaii No. 1 - "Hawaii No Ka Oi!"

DANNY KALEIKINI | Ambassador of Aloha