HAWAI'I

PUBLIC GROWING WEARY OF MASSES OF VISITORS

In reference to the letter by Trevor Cabell (March 10) on the impact the Superferry may have on Hanalei, he has put a new twist on a well-worn topic.

He notes that Hanalei people may not want the masses of folks from Honolulu descending on their beaches with fishing poles and surfboards, etc.

I am one of those Honolulans he is referring to, but I respect his words because I know what it feels like to see the O'ahu beaches I love invaded by newcomers.

His message is unique, because for the first time someone is speaking out not against tourism but against other people from Hawai'i who will impact an area.

There are too many people coming to our corner of the planet, and the public is tired of this constant increase of visitors, whoever they are.

It is about time the government realizes that our Islands are like a carnival line — you can't get on the ride until someone gets off.

From the massive tourist development planned for O'ahu's North Shore to the Superferry's impact on the outer islands, the message is clear: Keep the country country.

PROGRESS ONLY BENEFITS OUR ISLAND COMMUNITY

In response to Trevor Cabell ("Superferry will ruin Hawai'i communities," March 10), I can only remind him that we in Hawai'i are not living in the past with canoes, pigs and horse-drawn carriages.

What happened when the cruise ships of the 1920s arrived? How about when the airplane came in the 1930s?

Did we survive the changes in our lifestyles from the increased numbers of visitors with their "stuff"?

I would suggest that we not only survived, but we in the Islands improved in our lifestyles and community values from the "stinking dollar" that followed.

Let's get over it and join in the enjoyment of the advancements and benefits that progress brings to our state.

Take advantage of these new opportunities, and don't just sit under the guava tree without envisioning the thought, "Why not the whole guava orchard?"

MAHALO

MILILANI FIRE BROUGHT OUT BEST IN PEOPLE

At 2 a.m. on March 5, the community of Kumelewai Gardens in Mililani Mauka was awakened by a fire that quickly spread to four homes.

The bravery of the residents who went door to door to get people out of their homes and attempted to fight the fire makes them true heroes.

We have so many people to thank — the brave men and women of the Honolulu Fire Department and Police Department were on the scene in minutes. Their quick action saved the lives of those who were injured.

Gavan Imamura of the Red Cross did an amazing job of helping everyone, as did Ralph and Patricia from Metropolitan Management.

Steven Ng from State Farm has shown much kindness to the owners who have lost so much.

I am so proud to be a resident of this wonderful community and send a big mahalo to all who helped.

INOUYE

BUFFER ZONE FUNDING IS NOT USELESS "PORK"

The March 7 article "Inouye defends spending projects" implies that money allocated to Hawai'i programs for the acquisition of buffer zones surrounding military training areas and installations is useless "pork."

In fact, the buffer-zone money has been used to protect Waimea Valley, one of the last intact ahupua'a on O'ahu and a cultural treasure that virtually everyone in Hawai'i agrees needed protection.

Funds from the buffer program also will protect more than 3,000 acres at Moanalua Valley, critical habitat for the 'elepaio forest bird and symbol of canoe-making, and more than 1,000 acres of land at Pupukea Paumalu, the natural backdrop to famous surf spots such as Pipeline ('Ehukai) and Sunset Beach.

These projects are not "pork." Our economy, our unique way of life, our culture and the well-being of our future generations depend on protecting these and other special places.

GILL NET RULES

INCLUDE ISLE FISHERMEN IN RESOURCE DECISIONS

In 1998, the state set out to ban lay gill net fishing by establishing a gill net task force disingenuously specified for the purposes of establishing gill net management measures that would address endangered species interaction and an isolated gear conflict at Wai'anae.

During most of the state's nine-year investigation, the desired outcome of support for a gill net ban was not realized, nor was there any demonstration of a causal relationship of gill net fishing and "resource decline." None of the gill net task force's management recommendations that would have addressed the concerns were ever implemented by the state.

Finally, in 2006 after another series of public and private "meetings" and after a series of privately funded public opinion polls, a small wave of gill net ban supporters has been created — just enough to paint justification for banning gill nets throughout the state.

It is not hard to understand why the hodgepodge of confusing gill net restrictive measures were established; when trying to manage marine resources and fisheries by swaying public opinion to fit a particular outcome, you are bound to have confounding and nonsensical policies.

This tragic example with gill net fishing is why fishermen need to be included in a science-based and equitable process for nearshore resource management.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

CAMPAIGN IS URGED TO CURB RED-LIGHT RUNNING

I am in disbelief daily as I witness red-light runner after red-light runner on our streets.

Sometimes I try to catch up to the lawbreakers just to see if I can profile them, but I can't. They are not all teenagers. They are old. They are housewives. They are all races and occupations — and none of them seems the least bit concerned that he has broken the law.

As a preschool teacher years ago, I learned the rhyme: "Red on top and green below. Red means stop and green means go. Yellow means wait, even if you're late." In 2007, yellow means absolutely nothing.

So, as a concerned citizen, I'm proposing a campaign similar to the successful "Click it or Ticket."

This campaign is called "Run it red, walk instead."

If you are caught running a red light, your license will be revoked for 30 days. This just might be the tool we need to get people to realize that a red light still means for you to stop before entering an intersection.

TRIBUTE

TOMMY KAULUKUKUI WAS GREAT COACH, MAN

I had the privilege of being under the tutelage of Coach Thomas Kaulukukui in 1949, and he was not only a great coach but a wonderful man.

He understood and appreciated the fact that the football team belonged not only to the university but to Hawai'i.

Perhaps some day we will again have a coach who represents the spirit of Hawai'i and honors the traditions of our university.

EXTRA HOUR

HAWAI'I MUST SWITCH TO DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME

It is time the Legislature "wakes up" and synchronizes Hawai'i with the rest of the U.S. by adopting daylight-saving time.

Let's face it — we increasingly live in a global community that depends on our ability to effectively communicate with the Mainland.

By switching to daylight-saving time, we will have a critical extra hour to do so, which is especially important for those involved in the financial industry.

It's time to leap ahead to the 21st century, everyone.

DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME WILL MEAN LATER SUNSETS

Want to go home earlier? Like having a sunset now at summer's lateness? Then why not have daylight-saving time?

We are so lucky to have our great weather, but the continental U.S. has summertime now. Would you not want Hawai'i summer two months sooner also?

Not really sooner, but the sun goes down a whole hour later.

Just think about an extra hour of sunlight. More shopping time, and not wondering if the time difference for the Mainland has changed again. We can have that hour later up until November, when daylight-saving time ends.

Why no daylight-saving time? Because no one has pushed for it.

The sun would set at 7:40 p.m. instead of 6:40 p.m. today. OK, the sunrise would be like January tomorrow, but we go through that then anyway, so no big deal.

Let's have a discussion, appoint a panel, spend some big bucks the way the Legislature always does before doing very little. Why not?

15.5 HOURS

TEACHERS' WORKDAY STORY CAUSED BACKLASH

My wife is a proud member of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, and I've always marveled at the dedication she's shown to her students.

That's why it upset me to read Beverly Creamer's article published on March 1, "Teachers' workday averages 15.5 hours."

Anyone in the workforce knows that no one works 15.5 hours a day.

The article caused public backlash toward teachers as they go into contract negotiations with the state.

The Honolulu Advertiser readers deserve better.

H-1 CONGESTION

TRANSIT IS NECESSARY TO FIX LEEWARD TRAFFIC

The residents of the Leeward side need an alternative means of transportation. Traffic is horrendous even before 6 a.m. on H-1.

With Kapolei growing larger every day, traffic will not get any better.

When we come home for vacation, we stay at the Ko Olina Resort. We always wait until after 9 a.m. to go into town for the day. Then it's another story to drive back out from town. We always make sure it's before 3:30 p.m.

The solution to traffic is a rail system.

CERTIFICATE OF NEED

CHALLENGES CRITICISM OF HEALTH-PERMIT PROCESS

Your March 12 editorial about Hawai'i's certificate-of-need program states: "Critics of the process point to cases where the equipment needing approval becomes obsolete by the time that approval is secured."

I challenge you or the "critics" to name a single case where this has happened. Come on. Just one.

MALPRACTICE PREMIUMS

HAWAI'I IS LOSING OUT BECAUSE DOCS LEAVING

The Legislature has again failed to pass medical tort reform for emotional pain and suffering.

With increasing malpractice insurance costs, Hawai'i is becoming anything but paradise for medical specialists. Sometimes I think lawyers see receiving one-third of malpractice awards as hitting the lottery.

This state refuses to recognize that doctors, especially specialists like OB/GYNs and neurologists, are choosing not to practice here.

Tragedy, accidents and misfortune can happen to anyone at any time.

But when our legal system grants excessive monetary awards when a doctor or hospital is involved, the payee is us. We are losing out.