SACRIFICE

OUR POW/MIAS MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Sept. 15, 2006, POW/MIA Recognition Day has passed, but is not forgotten.

The Advertiser failed to acknowledge this important day in American history. The focus of that day is to remember those brave Americans who sacrificed so much, and to account for those who did not return.

None of the congressional candidates or their political supporters in the primary election took the time to pay homage to all of our MIA/POW's who remain missing. They were all plagued with their own personal interests.

It is important to reaffirm a sacred creed and to remind all Americans of the importance of remembering those unwilling captives and missing countrymen who have yet to return.

They fought for our freedom and felt the worst of war. America's solemn pledge is to remember every warrior who has defended the freedoms we enjoy today.

TRANSPORTATION

IF YOU ARE FED UP WITH GRIDLOCK, RIDE THEBUS

I find much amusement in the letters submitted in favor of a rail system by individuals who are still driving their cars and not even riding TheBus.

They complain about being stuck in traffic for hours. If you are still driving your car, what makes you think that you will ride on a rail system?

If you really had any interest in resolving our gridlock problem, you would have given up on driving and would be a regular rider of TheBus.

Perhaps these people want everyone to ride the rail except themselves? I don't get it!

STIGMA

SON REFORMED, BUT CANNOT FIND GOOD JOB

Since his time in jail and subsequent anger management classes, my son has turned his life around.

Getting arrested was a good thing. He learned there are consequences, and finally grew up. He has since graduated from college with a two-year degree in electronics. He worked a low-paying job while attending school and struggled to achieve what he has. I'm very proud of him. He's not the same young man at all.

He's been searching for better-paying work in the trade he's just trained for, but at every interview he's told he can't be considered because of the felony on his record. He's discouraged and we realize that although his arrest brought about good changes, it has become a problem.

I'm frustrated and angry that when the system works, and a person improves his disposition, attitude and lifestyle, the stigma of it now stands in the way of further success.

It's as if it were all for nothing.

HISTORIC HOME

MAINTAINING WALKER ESTATE IS TOO COSTLY

Kiersten Faulkner and the Historic Hawai'i Foundation must either come up with $12 million to 16 million to purchase and restore the Walker Estate, or stop dictating to the landowner what he can or can't do with his property.

The heirs of the property couldn't maintain it or pay the taxes and sold it. A wealthy owner gave the property a chance and couldn't make it work. City and state governments have passed on acquiring the property for the same reasons — maintaining a 100-year-old, eight-bedroom house in a termite-rich rainforest is too expensive!

And so a new owner is going to change the economic model and has every right to do so within the bounds of the law and zoning requirements. If Ms. Faulkner doesn't have the resources to change the present economic formula, she needs to stop driving her idealism down the throats of property owners and taxpayers. We need housing for all citizens before expending resources on a monument to Hawai'i's social elite.

BRAVO

EIGHT NEW UNIVERSITY SOCCER TEAMS FORMED

A tip of the coconut hat is truly in order here.

Accolades to the administration and coaches at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i, Chaminade University, Hawai'i Pacific University, and University of Hawai'i-Hilo for developing soccer programs for their women and men players at each school.

An addition of eight soccer teams is a giant step in Hawai'i soccer history.

We now have nine soccer teams playing in the NCAA. That includes the above eight, plus the successful University of Hawai'i-Manoa women's team. Think of the increased opportunities for our 27,000 high school, youth and young adult players to play the sport they love at the higher level. Wow.

LITTER

BOTTLE CAPS SHOULD BE THROWN INTO TRASH CANS

I have to agree with Roy Gritter in his letter "Plastic bottle caps an eyesore in our parks" (Sept. 26). Volunteers picked up 546 plastic bottle caps at Waimanalo Beach Park as part of the Ocean Conservancy's "Get the Drift and Bag It" on Sept. 16.

It would help if recyclers took plastic caps, but what it comes down to is the failure of beach and park users to do the right thing and put their trash in the garbage cans.

So many times, I have seen bottle caps or other trash on the ground just a few feet away from the trash can when they could have taken a few steps just to drop it in.

DLNR

BOATERS SHOULD REVIEW STATE HARBOR FINANCES

I recently resigned as administrator of the state's Small Boat Harbors and want to set the record straight. I left because of a long-running disagreement over certain financial policies that were being imposed on the boating division and that I believe are contrary to the best interest of the harbors and Hawai'i's boaters.

The boating public will shortly be able to review the finances for 2005 and 2006, and can decide for themselves whether or not they support the Department of Land and Natural Resources' policies. The comparative data is available online or by Office of Information Practices request, and recent state audits and federal program reviews will provide useful background information. All are part of the public record.

All of Hawai'i's boaters and harbor users must find a common voice to lobby for the basic improvements they desire, or they will continue to see the small-boat harbors diminished by ignorance and the ongoing diversion of resources. Boaters often express their concerns but seldom speak with a united voice.

Change can start with a simple word to your legislator. Let them know how much you value our harbors.

SENATE RACE

AKAKA FEARS DEBATING REP. CYNTHIA THIELEN

The Advertiser reported that "the (Sen. Dan) Akaka campaign immediately ruled out any debates between the senator and (state Rep. Cynthia) Thielen, saying that Thielen was appointed rather than elected by voters."

Nice spin, but Representative Thielen was just re-elected by the voters on Sept. 23. The truth is that we have an incumbent U.S. senator who is afraid to debate a little-known state legislator.

THIELEN A GOOD CHOICE TO REPLACE JERRY COFFEE

It was a great move to replace Jerry Coffee with state Rep. Cynthia Thielen.

Because of his Bush-like agenda, it was absolutely not my intention to send Mr. Coffee to Washington, D.C. Representative Thielen has the goodwill and open mind to fight for renewable energy, especially the wave power that we need so much to get rid of our oil addiction.

Sen. Dan Akaka has not done much on wave power energy, or to protect the state from an oil crisis.

The waves that surround our islands should be used as an energy supply.

MAYBE SENATORS CAN'T AFFORD TO RETIRE IN ISLES

My husband and I were discussing the election, and we were trying to figure out why Sen. Dan Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye continue to want to be re-elected, when they might enjoy their "golden years" in other ways.

I think we came upon the answer — like so many of us, maybe they can't afford to retire in Hawai'i!

PARTY DOES NOT ABIDE BY DEMOCRATIC TENETS

The Democrats had photo ops at their unity breakfast Sunday morning.

But, the image I will remember from the election is of Rep. Neil Abercrombie speaking Saturday night. Right after the second printout showed a likely win for Sen. Dan Akaka, Representative Abercrombie took to the stage and enthusiastically launched into disparaging comments about Rep. Ed Case.

The reason? Representative Case had dared to run for senator. The Hawai'i Democratic Party certainly does not live up to democratic principles of opportunity for all.