Mazie Hirono bashes Linda Lingle regarding the Superferry but does not have a clue as to how many people wanted the Superferry. Who? Sen. Daniel Inouye; the Democrat-run Legislature; Neighbor Island farmers; small merchants on the Neighbor Islands who cut their shipping costs dramatically; soccer teams; canoe hales; school football, basketball and volleyball teams; car racing enthusiasts; tourists; physically challenged people; and many families who are simply priced out of the chance to visit with family on other islands because of the high cost of airline fares. No choice.
Just the emergency backup of Superferry was priceless. Maui's airport is in a tsunami zone. What backup do the people of Maui have?
The bashing shows that Hirono is not in touch with life as most Hawaii residents know it. She never has to buy an airline ticket. She rides around in first class and the taxpayers pick up the tab. She lives in Washington, D.C., most of the time. She doesn't give a thought to the challenges of doing business on the Neighbor Islands creates.
Lingle knows what living in Hawaii means and stepped up to provide alternative transportation. She knows the value of hardworking families being able to gather together across the islands. She knows the necessity of a backup system in case of emergency.
We need elected officials who have ties to real life in Hawaii. The bashing makes it clear Hirono is not one. Elect Lingle, she knows the challenges and has lived them.
Laura Lovell
Kihei
