SUPERFERRY

SHOULD ASSESSMENTS BE DONE ON OTHER TRAVEL?

I've heard that there is a fire-ant infestation on Kaua'i and the Big Island.

To stop them from spreading to O'ahu, perhaps we should learn from the Superferry protesters and the Sierra Club's concern for possible invasive species and suspend all interisland barge, cruise-ship and aircraft traffic until an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is completed.

Fire ants are a known invasive species. They are a clear danger.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO PRIORITIES IN HAWAI'I?

What has become important to Hawai'i's people? Is it American soldiers dying every day? Is it the civilian women and children who die every day in Iraq? Is it the homeless problem on the west side? Is it the lack of affordable housing? Is it the high cost of living? Is it high taxes?

The only thing that has been on the front page or in the news lately is the Alakai Superferry.

Local people catching a ferry from one island to another instead of riding a plane — is that what people think deserves protest and putting locals out of jobs? Hmmm... what has happened to the priorities of the people of Hawai'i?

RIVER-ROCK EPISODE SHOWED CONSEQUENCES

The unintended has happened, and on the maiden voyage of the Superferry, no less.

The three trucks from O'ahu loaded with 900 river rocks were accidentally discovered when they couldn't return.

Certainly, it wasn't the intent of the Superferry to allow residents from one island to plunder the natural resources of another. Instead, it was human nature, lack of oversight and the Superferry's enabling technology.

Add this to the other known unintended consequences — spread of invasive species, traffic congestion, crime, homeless migration, etc. that must be discussed.

RECYCLING

MILILANI RESIDENT GLAD TO BE IN PILOT PROJECT

To the letter writer who pities us for curbside recycling ("Some observations about new trash plan," Sept. 20) — please don't.

We are happy to be a part of a program that will reduce the amount of trash on our island. As a family of four who experienced the first pilot program in Mililani, I was pleased with the weekly pickups and enjoyed not having to haul all my recyclables to the school bins.

By composting vegetable scraps and recycling, we make only about one kitchen bag of trash per week now. We don't even need the second pickup.

Christmas is not a problem we usually keep much of the intact wrapping paper and gift bags for reuse the next year. As for parties, we recycle and wash plates and cups.

No, we are not the typical "throw it away and not think about it" family. But fewer trash pickups could be an incentive for others to start thinking about the amount of trash they produce, and to be more sensitive of our environment.

EDUCATION

CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE CONSIDERED FOR AWARDS

John Thatcher's letter of Sept. 12 commented on Harold K.L. Castle Foundation's reading-awards grants and the Hawai'i P-20 Initiative's announcement of grants.

Mr. Thatcher, of Connections New Century Public Charter School, states that "now, private foundations are excluding our public school students (in charter schools) from grant opportunities."

Nothing could be further from the truth. The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation considered charter schools for the reading awards, but none of the charter schools qualified.

The 21 Na Alaka'i Ho'ona'auao Award winning schools met the requirements of a minimum 20 percentage point gain of third-graders reading proficiently and a minimum school size of 28 third-graders during each of the 2003-2006 school years.

The five charter schools large enough to be considered for the award did not demonstrate the minimum gain.

Our common goal is for every child to be reading at or above grade level by third-grade because it is a key foundation for future success in learning. This includes children in regular public schools, charter schools and private schools.

Hawai'i P-20 Initiative invites all elementary schools and early childhood organizations, including charter schools, to apply for the P-3 Planning and Implementation grants, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Applications are available online, www.good beginnings.org, and are due Nov. 15.

TRAFFIC

LET'S ALL PRACTICE ALOHA IN THE ASPHALT JUNGLE

I agree with Elaine Hoffman (Letter, Sept. 11) on one point, that drivers have a lot to watch for on streets.

However, drivers have a special responsibility because they are protected by thousands of pounds of steel. Pedestrians and bikers are not protected at all.

As a driver, pedestrian and bicyclist, I believe that we need to be aware of others on the road whatever our mode of transportation.

Drivers need to obey basic traffic laws, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights, allowing adequate space when passing bicyclists and not speeding.

Bikers need to be careful around pedestrians, obey stop signs and traffic lights, and ride with the flow of traffic. At night, bikers should make sure they can be seen (light-colored clothing, lights, reflectors, etc.).

Pedestrians should look both ways before stepping off the curb, avoid jaywalking and not begin crossing after the "don't walk" sign starts flashing. Joggers should stay off the street and yield to bikers in bike lanes.

In short, share the road and respect other users, who must share the same limited space.

Each of us has a responsibility for our own safety, but also for the safety of others. Let's all practice some aloha out there in the asphalt jungle. Perhaps we will all live longer and healthier.

PETRAEUS AD

AKAKA, INOUYE OWE EXPLANATION TO HAWAI'I

Sens. Dan Akaka and Daniel Inoyue recently voted against a Senate resolution to reaffirm support for all the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, including Gen. David Petraeus, and "to strongly condemn any effort to attack the honor and integrity" of Gen. Petraeus and all members of the armed forces.

The resolution went on "to specifically repudiate the unwarranted personal attack on Gen. Petraeus by the liberal activist group MoveOn.org."

The senators owe the people of Hawai'i an explanation of their reasons, other than partisan politics, for their objection to this statement of support for our armed forces.

SENS. INOUYE, AKAKA AFRAID OF MOVEON.ORG

The attack on Gen. David Petraeus by http://MoveOn.org was a personal attack on this wonderful soldier and all our brave soldiers.

A vote in the Senate to condemn this attack saw Sens. Daniel Inouye and Dan Akaka vote to support this ad and condemn our brave men and women serving in the military.

It is clear that Inouye and Akaka are afraid of http://MoveOn.org and do not support our military.

Our senators are unwilling to follow John F. Kennedy, who said, we should be willing to "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to ensure the survival and success of liberty."

PHILIPPINES

NATION BUILDING IS LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS

Your editorial, "Philippine leaders must break cycle" (Sept. 17), is precisely the intent and focus of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her administration.

That a measure of success has been achieved in the Philippine economy is validated by independent assessments from private and international agencies. The credit rating of the Philippines has also improved. This year the Philippine economy is on track to post its fastest growth in decades. In the second quarter alone, there was a 7.5 percent annual growth rate.

The rule of law and the maxim that no one is above the law are among the basic foundations of a democratic society. The investigation, prosecution and sentencing of those guilty of crimes, particularly of kidnapping, murder, graft and corruption is a prime concern of the Philippine government. To this end, offers of assistance, such as from the United States government and the European Union, have been welcomed by the Philippine government.

The Filipino people elected Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004 as president in a close election monitored and validated by foreign observers, including some from the American government.

Nation building is a long and difficult process and President Arroyo is determined to live up to her task. She stated her vision simply — "For the next three years what I want to do is translate the positive results of our economic reform into real benefits for our people."

I often hear people in America say, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings." Let us wait for 2010 to make any judgment on the Arroyo administration.

PROTECTIVE ORDERS

JUDGES MUST BE SERIOUS ABOUT REPEAT OFFENDERS

It is frightening to read about a man who has been "arrested seven times in the past four years for domestic abuse, and was arrested 21 times in the past five years for violating a protective order" ("War hero's son sentenced on domestic abuse, drug counts," Sept. 19).

How is it he has been able to violate the protective order 21 times?

Do we not punish those who violate? I believe the short answer is "No, we don't."

This is not an isolated case, and for all our safety our judges need to take a hard look at repeat offenders.

If they don't, we need to ask our judges why.

MILITARY

TAKE THE TIME TO THANK OUR SERVICE PERSONNEL

It only takes a minute to say "thank you" to a service man or woman. It is really appreciated when you thank someone in the military for serving our country.

You may not support the war, but please let our men and women in uniform know that we are there for them.