STADIUM

UPGRADING STADIUM IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO

The Advertiser's May 14 editorial regarding Aloha Stadium appeared to conclude that the only way to address problems at the facility is to tear it down and build a new one. That conclusion is wrong.

All the shortcomings the editorial cited were based on a 2005 study conducted for the State Department of Accounting and General Services. The study estimated that for $99 million in 2005 dollars, these problems could be addressed and all the necessary maintenance and repairs could be completed to make the stadium like new and extend its life expectancy by at least 20 to 30 years.

The extra couple of hundred million dollars or more it would take to build a new, less centrally located stadium would be better spent repairing or replacing administrative offices, dormitories and classroom buildings at University of Hawai'i's campuses.

If private developers want to build a new stadium in partnership with government, we'll listen. However, betting on a land swap so a developer could pay the state to build a new stadium, then demolish Aloha Stadium and build new residential or commercial property, is not a sure thing.

Even if a deed restriction requiring that Aloha Stadium property be used for recreational purposes could be legally undone, other issues involving land use, zoning and infrastructure would require time to work out for a new stadium site.

Meanwhile, the state needs to move ahead with maintenance, repair and upgrades of Aloha Stadium. The $12.4 million approved by the Legislature is just the beginning if we want to have a safe and enjoyable stadium available for UH games and possibly the National Football League.

GAS PRICES

LET THE FREE MARKET DICTATE OUR GAS PRICES

As gas prices rise and fall, it is timely to reflect on our legislators' punitive attempts to regulate the local oil industry. When legislators passed the gas cap, prices rose and caused major damage to dealers and consumers. When they passed the ethanol mandate, the promised tax exemption was for such a short time period that the state will collect more than $30 million before the renewed exemption on July 1st.

The transparency legislation was never funded.

This session they fixed some of the problems they caused, created others, renewed the tax exemption on ethanol fuels and funded the transparency legislation.

Hopefully, transparency will educate government officials so we can avoid mistakes like the gas cap.

Hawai'i's gas prices, like all other consumer products, are dictated by supply and demand and are currently well below California prices.

This anomaly is caused by California regulators who have made it impossible to build new refineries to meet the increasing demand. In the short term, importers are unable to provide a refined product to meet California specifications.

With the renewed tax exemption effective July 1st on ethanol fuels, Hawai'i gas prices will drop 11 to 13 cents.

Legislators may have finally learned the key to reasonable gas prices: Keep taxes low, avoid over-regulation and let the free market dictate price.

BIG BOX BAN

SAVING SMALLER SHOPS PROVIDES MORE CHOICES

I'm writing to congratulate Kaua'i Mayor Bryan Baptiste and the Kaua'i County Council for passing the ban on "big-box" stores like Wal-Mart "super centers." I think it's interesting to hear Wal-Mart officials say that it limits "choice."

When a Wal-Mart comes in, local shops take a hit, and as a result, they then have to raise their prices to make ends meet. Eventually, they just go out of business and everyone is forced to go to Wal-Mart to get things they need.

The result is money leaving the island to Wal-Mart executives, the closing of local shops and an island that looks like Phoenix or Los Angeles.

Good for Kaua'i County legislators for setting a standard for choice. A Wal-Mart greeter once said: "Welcome to Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart put my store out of business so I had to get a job at Wal-Mart. Thanks to Wal-Mart, I can now only afford to shop at Wal-Mart. Enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart."

ANIMAL RIGHTS

ANIMAL CRUELTY LAW GOOD FOR HAWAI'I

I would like to thank the Hawai'i State Legislature for passing the animal cruelty law, which makes it a felony to mistreat animals. This law makes Hawai'i a much safer place for animals. Hawai'i is now the 43rd state with felony-level penalties for egregious acts of animal cruelty.

This law is important because to many people, animals are not only pets, they are considered a part of their family.

To hear about pets being cruelly mistreated is very saddening to an animal lover like myself. I have a pet dog that I cherish, and consider him family. If I were to hear that my dog was abused or mistreated in any way, I would want that person who abused him to be punished to the fullest extent.

I'm thankful that this law has been passed and that there will be harsh punishments for those who break this law. This law shows that Hawai'i does care about its animals.

LEGISLATURE RIGHT TO STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY

I would like to thank the Hawai'i State Legislature for passing the animal cruelty law. Now that animal cruelty such as poisoning, torture, mutilation and serious bodily injury or death is considered a felony crime, the safety and well-being of domesticated animals in Hawai'i is ensured.

Being an owner of both a dog and a cat, it is nice to know that animals throughout our state are being cared for and protected. Before the passing of this law, a person could walk up to my dog and out of anger break his leg, without being seriously punished.

Knowing that our state leaders are taking action for something I've believed for awhile now, is comforting, and I am able to rest at ease. It's awesome that Hawai'i is one of the 43 states that have laws defending the safety of animals, rather than one of the seven state that do not. I believe that is something to be proud of.

Thank you once again to all those who pushed for this law to be passed. The animals thank you, too!