RAIL SYSTEM

WE NEED ALTERNATIVE TO THE AUTOMOBILE

Larry Geller's letter "Island residents will pay heavily" is just more of the same old anti-rail rhetoric that we can expect from those who are critical of rail yet offer no other viable alternative except adding more cars, buses, freeways, roads and traffic.

It seems that the only valid point Mr. Geller states in his letter is the fact that island residents will pay dearly. Yes, indeed they will, with or without rail transit.

An alternative to the automobile is the key issue here, and if designed correctly, a rail system on this island is the only sensible alternative.

KAILUA HIGH

CAMPUS DOUBLES AS IDEAL DISASTER SHELTER

Kailua High School serves not only as a school but also as a high-value civil defense asset.

The venerable old school was constructed with concrete and brick, and it is one of the only Windward shelters buffered from coastal storms by surrounding hills. The facility also has large, flat, open fields ideal for evacuation in times of need, complete with shower facilities that would be required for decontamination after a major costal disaster that could potentially devastate both the Kailua and Waimanalo beach communities.

Long-term planning of public facilities is essential to protect the greater community, as opposed to the attraction of a fancy new school built atop the much higher wind-prone slopes of Mount Olomana that are zoned conservation for good reason.

OUTGUNNED

UH WARRIORS HAD NO BUSINESS PLAYING USC

It was quite apparent who the superior team was on Saturday. It is no wonder USC is rated No. 1 and it is no wonder that the Trojans have two possible Heisman candidates on the offensive team.

I think it is about time that we face reality. The Warriors are not a top-10 NCAA team or even a top-25 NCAA team. Sure, they have some excellent players, but the team was totally outgunned.

So now you have two first-string players out for the rest of the year. What did June Jones have to prove in this debacle? What did the defensive whiz prove to the team and to the crowd? Not much, folks. It sure looks like a long season.

WATERFRONT

RESIDENTS LOSE OUT IN HOUSING DECISION

Kaka'ako waterfront housing may have won approval at the Sept. 7 Hawai'i Community Development Authority meeting, but the citizens of Hawai'i have lost on many fronts.

The first loss is the loss of due process created by the way HCDA reached this goal — a state authority that some say should not even have authority over this priceless zone in the city of Honolulu, issued a request for proposals for the development of high-rises in this park area before the zoning makes such residential development legal.

The second loss: So confident is HCDA that it can amend any rule that gets in the way of giving developers the best of our shoreline that it bypasses the idea of due process by holding a hearing minutes before the vote. The idea of citizen testimony as a voice in HCDA's decision-making is a ruse. "Citizens" who use the park or respect the beauty of the waterfront were in the minority relative to so-called citizens who were, in reality, developers — even developers who had submitted proposals for this RFP.

The HCDA voted yes without one word of discussion on citizen concerns. Small wonder that some people might think that giving testimony at public hearings is a waste of time — but it is the wrong time to give up our voice.

NO CHILD GOALS

DOE MISMANAGEMENT HAS BROUGHT ON OUR ILLS

Regarding the Aug. 19 article "66% of Isle schools miss NCLB goals": One needs only look to the Department of Education's own numbers.

Being a substitute teacher who teaches short- and long-term assignments, I would regard a 34 percent grade in "meeting goals" as an F. The DOE deserves its F in management of our children's futures.

The question is: How much longer are parents going to allow the DOE's failed management to continue stunting, crippling and maiming our children's futures?

The DOE needs to stop blaming others, such as teachers, substitutes, principals and parents, and begin looking into the mirror for blame. The true evil is mismanagement.

LITTLE LEAGUE

FIX THE BALL FIELDS IF YOU WANT MORE GLORY

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of parents and volunteers of these young Little League teams — West O'ahu and Pearl City (seniors) — for bringing honor and glory to Hawai'i.

I am disappointed with these opportunistic politicians like Rep. Kymberly Pine and Mayor Mufi Hannemann for acting as if they have done something for the teams. This is a reminder particularly for the city officials responsible for maintaining the parks and baseball fields — that we can create more champions if only if they can be serious in maintaining the playing fields.

My son, who also played in District 8, shared with West O'ahu boys the old Barbers Point baseball field, which is now run by the city.

If you look at the restrooms and attempt to go inside, you will for sure have a terrible feeling because of dirty floors and yellowish latrines.

A Makakilo Little League parent has had to bring heavy equipment to fix the bad field and attempted to fix the leaking sprinklers. How many O'ahu fields are like this one?

To the good leaders of the city: It's time for you to wake up and see the reality of our parks, and for state lawmakers, maybe you can look at allocating a substantial amount of the budget for the youths to participate in any sport if you want to co-celebrate with another batch of future world champions.