Letters to the Editor
EDITORIAL PAGE
COMMENTARIES OFFERED MUCH TO THINK ABOUT
It was a pleasure to read two thoughtful commentaries in the Dec. 10 Advertiser.
Rep. Kirk Caldwell called for openness from our governor with regard to the Bob Awana case and the Superferry, and asked that Lingle not shy away from admitting mistakes.
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts reminded us of what racial intolerance can lead to if left unchecked.
Totally different subjects that somehow complemented each other and served as a reminder to keep our brains engaged even while we bask in the glitter and joy of the season.
Lynne JohnsonHonolulu
REP. KIRK CALDWELL COLUMN WITHOUT MERIT
I find Rep. Kirk Caldwell's column (Island Voices, Dec. 10) without merit. If former chief of staff Bob Awana did something improper, he is no longer working for Gov. Linda Lingle. It is like kicking a dead horse. What's the point?
There are so many more improprieties in Rep. Caldwell's party it isn't funny.
Roy M. CheeHonolulu
HOUSING
SIGNS OF DISPARITIES OF LIFE IN HAWAI'I IN 2007
Signs of the times; poetry for this holy season of Christmas:
A girl at Nanakuli High School lists her home address as — "second blue tarp on the left, after the bridge."
Two miles down the coast from her there's a new project, "Beach Villas," still under construction — price tag: $1.6 million for a unit in a high rise.
Jim AnthonyKa'a'awa
HONOLULU
SEWAGE DUMPED CLOSE TO SHORE IS A DISGRACE
It is a disgrace that a first-class city such as Honolulu dumps primary-treated sewage 1.7 miles from our shore.
Los Angeles' outfall from its secondary-treatment plant is five miles out.
Our sewage problems can't be good for tourism, let alone ourselves.
Paul K. FunkhouserWahiawa
ALA WAI HARBOR
REASONABLE PARKING FEE EQUITABLE SOLUTION
As a sailor and frequent visitor to O'ahu, it has been most disappointing to see the state of disrepair and the water filth that has infected Ala Wai harbor.
I am pleased to learn that the state has begun action to correct this. However, it is disturbing to see the level of public resistance to the modest measures proposed to fund these improvements.
The establishment of a reasonable parking fee at the harbor seems to me to be an equitable solution. It places the cost burden on those who benefit most from access to a safe, clean harbor.
As one who falls into that category, I support such measures and will gladly pay my share.
Dan Nowlan, Transpac racerPortsmouth, R.I.
TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT
WAIPAHU PLANS REFLECT COMMUNITY'S VISION
As has been her mode of operation of late, Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi misrepresented the Hannemann administration's position in a Nov. 21 letter to the editor.
In November, Waipahu residents saw the first fruits of their labor in the community-based transit oriented development (TOD) effort.
Plans to develop a canal walk, a Waipahu main street and a town center all reflect the hopes, dreams and visions of Waipahu's citizens and business people. Waipahu is the first community along Honolulu's planned mass transit route to engage in this process, which uses the ridership generated by mass transit as a catalyst for cultural, social, recreational and economic revitalization.
Among participants at the TOD workshop were members of the Nishioka family, longtime Waipahu business owners. Their participation, and that of other engaged Waipahu residents, is proof positive of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's commitment to meaningful community involvement in the TOD and mass transit planning processes.
The city may have to acquire some private property for the fixed guideway, and will be sure that a fair price is paid for private property required for this vital project. There are no plans to take any of the Nishioka property for the mass-transit route.
But you wouldn't know that from reading Councilmember Kobayashi's letter. In fact, you might infer otherwise. She continually makes inaccurate statements, either out of confusion or in an effort to confuse the public.
In either case, Kobayashi's actions are becoming increasingly counterproductive, as she insists on fingerpointing. Her actions are in contradiction with her claim to be a supporter of mass transit for Honolulu's gridlock-besieged citizens.
All of us in the Hannemann administration are committed to creating an integrated, reliable, multi-modal transportation system and the beneficial development that comes with it for all the citizens of O'ahu.
David Tanoue | Deputy director, Department of Planning and Permitting and Richard TorresDeputy director, Department of Transportation Services
TRAFFIC
HOT LANES WOULD NOT ALLEVIATE CONGESTION
Problems with the HOT lane concept:
'Ewa Beach
THEBUS OFFICIALS DIDN'T LISTEN TO AREA CONCERNS
Anyone who lives in 'Aina Haina knows that we have many seniors who have lived here since the 1950s.
On Dec. 2, TheBus stopped Route No. 1 service to our valley despite protests from our residents, Neighborhood Board No. 2 and the 'Aina Haina Community Association.
Now we have to watch our kupuna walk to Kalanian'ole Highway, cross six lanes of traffic and wait in the rain for the next bus (or the reverse in coming home).
Many students and commuters who live or work in 'Aina Haina also have suffered.
TheBus held several public meetings, but clearly didn't listen to our concerns about the safety of our residents — which makes me wonder how the average citizen has any say.
To Mr. Wayne Yoshioka, new head of the city Department of Transportation Services, who started after all this began, I applaud you for attending our Neighborhood Board meeting in your first two weeks on the job and assuring us that Mayor Mufi Hannemann wants our concerns to be a top priority. Please don't wait any longer!
Chien-Wen TsengHonolulu
DAY-CARE FACILITY
KEIKI COUNTRY WILL BE ASSET FOR WAI'ANAE
Thank you for the My Communities story on D.R. Horton Schuler Division turning over Keiki Country, a day-care facility in the Sea Country community, to the City and County of Honolulu. (Dec. 4). Head Start will manage the center, and we are excited to move one step closer to opening this new facility to the entire community of Wai'anae.
We would like to thank D.R. Horton Schuler Division for all of the wonderful work they have put into Keiki Country. They went above and beyond what was required to bring this day-care center to fruition.
D.R. Horton Schuler Division continues to prove its strong commitment to the community. They spent several years on the research and design of Keiki Country, and invested nearly $2 million in the facility.
Head Start looks forward to opening the school in 2008 to provide our services to more children and families in the Leeward community. Mahalo to D.R. Horton Schuler Division for this beautiful new site, which will serve Wai'anae's keiki and allow them to learn and grow in a safe and caring environment.
Cheryl CastroO'ahu Head Start program manager
VACATION RENTALS
RESIDENTIAL ZONING SHOULD MEAN NO BUSINESS ALLOWED
It took the holidays and the City Council's planned repeal of the B&B ban to get me thinking about assumptions we make and things we take for granted.
Like other O'ahu homeowners, I believed that residential zoning meant no business could open next door, across the street or down the block — ever.
I believed that a true "neighbor" would never open an illegal business — especially one with overnight customers, night after night.
I believed that if the law said something was illegal, it was illegal, no matter how much tax you paid — or said you paid.
I believed that residents who called upon elected officials and agencies for enforcement would have unqualified support in a time of homelessness, high property tax and calls for "sustainability."
I believed that the City Council and administration would know special-interest legislation when they saw it.
I believed they would never betray their constituents with an end run around zoning (and amnesty to scofflaws), especially when their own neighborhood boards said "no" in strong and clearly worded motions.
I believed that the hotel trade would be content with Waikiki and Ko Olina and other resort-zoned areas.
I believed that our demand for residential integrity would mean more than a visitor's demand for an "alternative vacation experience."
I believed the legal rights and heartfelt needs of residents would be put before tourism and heard before the cash-register ka-ching of business.
I guess I might as well still believe in Santa Claus.
Kalana BestKailua
Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.
