'OUT OF LUCK' VOTER IS AFRAID OF DJOU

I am approaching 40 years old. I served my country when I was in the Army National Guard from 1988 to 1996, and those were the only years I ever voted.

I have been working since I was a sophomore in high school, and I pay taxes. I work at a dead-end job now because I got laid off a few years ago from a better job.

I am very afraid of Charles Djou. He will easily succumb to the peer pressure of his party and follow in their footsteps. He does not care about people in my situation or worse.

I think I fall under the "out of luck" category. I don't blame Colleen Hanabusa for not dropping out. But please, just think: Hanabusa and Ed Case, you are splitting the Democratic votes.

We can't let Djou win. That's contributing to the death sentence for all the lowly people, because the Republican Party can be compared to the Dark Side in "Star Wars."

SPECIAL ELECTION

CASE SPENT NEEDED TIME IN HIS DISTRICT

Those who have tried to make a point that Ed Case has missed a number of votes during the time he served as our congressman overlook the reality that effective representatives need to spend time in their districts.

No representative can effectively serve his constituents if he spends all of his time in Washington. If a congressman is dedicated to constituent services — as was Case during his prior years in the Congress — there is no question that he is going to end up missing more roll-call votes than a representative whose priorities lie in D.C., rather than with the voters who elected him.

Also, a representative who serves a district more than 5,000 miles from Washington will have to devote more time to travel than a representative from a state nearer to the nation's capital.

It is a major error to complain about the time Case spent in his district away from Congress. Indeed, such objections raise the question of where those candidates plan to spend time if elected.

LEGISLATURE

THEY WOULD RATHER BE COOL THAN MATURE

Regarding Lee Cataluna's column about legislators ("YouTube goes from cool to cliched tool," May 11), it reminded me of what the philosopher Jacques Barzun wrote in "The House of Intellect": The state of the mother tongue is in fact the index of our control over destiny.

Apparently that control is being passed to posturing thugs who would prefer to be "cool" than mature, spontaneous rather than thoughtful.

Just a thought — but I like to believe an accurate one.

SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA, MUSIC ARE PART OF HISTORY

Reading Kirby Nunez's heartfelt separation from his orchestra is simply and sadly a continuation of a difficulty many metropolitan cities are facing ("Why I'm leaving the symphony,"May 10).

While it can be argued that it is untenable to underwrite those art programs that are unable to sustain themselves through ticket sales, a society has a greater responsibility to respect history — specifically, the centuries in which this art form has been relevant.

The cultural shift in our youth is enormous and bodes poorly for many aspects of our culture. Texting replaces dialogue, iPods reduce conversation and reality shows lower the standard of what was considered unacceptable.

This pendulum is swinging wide and I fear how it will reconcile itself. But I have faith in our youth. I simply hope we don't lose our history.

Plato once said: "Let me make the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws."

ORCHESTRA'S DEATH IS COMMUNITY'S LOSS

Death comes in expanding and contracting waves of loss. We miss the presence of someone amplified by the absence of their sounds, touch, sight, essence. We flounder as we grapple with the reality that we will no longer be and share with them.

Our community heart continues to grieve the loss of our sensational symphony orchestra. We long for weekend concerts at Blaisdell Concert Hall that inspired Hawai'i and gave many of us an infusion for our mental health and well-being.

We experience our loss, but more poignantly feel empathetic pain for the musicians who gave their time, talent and dedication to music to enrich our lives. It took years for them to build their careers, and now many are leaving Hawai'i or are struggling to survive ("Why I left the symphony," May 10).

As part of your appreciative audience, we extend to you a warm mahalo and a thunderous silent standing ovation.

BUS PASSES

USE OF FAKE CARDS IS NOT NEW PROBLEM

I read this article with much laughter and wondered if Mr. Pang spoke to any bus operators ("Fake passes plague TheBus," May 12).

Facts:

1. This is not a "new" issue, it has been ongoing for many, many years.

2. Sixty-five percent of bus operators don't even look for fake passes — and don't care, anyway.

3. Not only are there fake monthly passes there are fake "U" passes, handi-passes and senior passes.

5. This is a huge problem and contrary to what Mayor Hannemann says, most of the people with these passes know they are fake.

6. The fake passes cost the city millions of dollars every year. I do not mean to malign my fellow bus operators, but most let the fake passes go because it is too much hassle.

I have been driving for 37 years, and this is old news.

FIRST IMPRESSION

RUDE AIRPORT GUARD HAD NO ALOHA SPIRIT

I believe everyone makes a difference when it comes to forming first impressions, especially in the tourism industry. Although I would like to believe that everyone contributing to Hawai'i's tourism industry is trained to be professional, my recent horrendous experience with airport staff proved otherwise.

While attempting to pick up my sister at Hawaiian Airlines' baggage claim, I was rudely ordered to move my car while my sister was literally seconds away from reaching the vehicle.

Calmly, I tried to explain my situation to the guard, but was frequently interrupted with threats like, "You no like move? You no like move? Write her one ticket!"

I understand it is the job of security officers to move traffic along, but they should be more professional about doing so.

There is no value in treating people this way, especially in Hawai'i, where first impressions are so important.

I was angered by the hostility and insensitivity of the guard. My sister, visiting from California, was appalled by such rude and childish behavior.

The guards at the airport need to treat others with respect, or take their bad attitudes elsewhere.