BARACK OBAMA

RESPONSE IN WRIGHT ISSUE SPEAKS VOLUMES

Although the controversy over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has subsided in recent weeks, I am continually impressed with Sen. Barack Obama's tenacity and resilience.

Obama's candor and response to the controversy confirms his capability as a highly effective leader.

When Obama delivered his race speech in Pennsylvania, he knew it would be a difficult undertaking. Yet, he felt it was necessary for Americans to be faced with the truth, even when the truth hurts.

America has made great leaps throughout her history, but that is not to say issues like racism are nonexistent. Sen. Obama addressed a problem that affects not only African-Americans and Caucasians, but also other ethnic groups like Latinos and Asians. He confronted us with reality, and also gave us an optimistic message of hope — that Americans can change if we unite as one nation.

America is a global country: it is time we learn to appreciate and accept everyone's unique cultural heritage.

It took tremendous courage for Sen. Obama to address the issue of race, but this courage, as well as his ability to calmly face challenges and thoughtfully seek solutions is what we need in a president.

SEN. OBAMA SHOWS HE ALSO CAN 'MISSPEAK'

Apparently, Hillary Clinton is not the only candidate who "misspeaks." In Pennsylvania, Barack Obama, "the former constitutional law professor," claims that he "will protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport and use guns for the purposes of hunting and target shooting." But in California he describes gun owners as bitter and frustrated.

Which is more dangerous, a politician's willingness to bend the truth to win votes, or a constitutional law professor who doesn't know that the Second Amendment is about self-protection from felonious assault and government tyranny, not only target practice and hunting?

LANKFORD TRIAL

LAWYER WAS WRONG TO MALIGN EXPERTS, PRESS

Concerning your articles on Kirk Lankford and his lawyer, Don Wilkerson:

Shame on you, Don Wilkerson, for calling two honorable experts "liars" because their opinions did not agree with your shameless defense strategy.

Shame on you, Don Wilkerson, for maligning Hawai'i's press corps because they printed and telecast the known facts of the case, including everything you had to say (or declined to say).

Sometimes, when you over-reach for the brass ring of notoriety, you can fall on your brass.

MASUMI WATANABE

HONOR, RESPECT, PRIDE EVIDENT AT SERVICE

After our recent return from visiting our ancestral roots in Japan, we saw news coverage of the memorial service for Masumi Watanabe at Kawaiaha'o Church.

Our firsthand experience of Japanese customs and tradition was heartwarming. However, the warmth of our people — the kahu of Kawaiaha'o Church, the mayor of Honolulu, the prosecutor, the police officers and the more than 200 people of diverse backgrounds — at the memorial service was beyond words.

Hawai'i's honor, respect and pride were profound.

TRAFFIC

MAHALO TO HPD FOR CITING HOV SCOFFLAWS

As a resident of Wahiawa who commutes daily to and from Honolulu, I commend the Honolulu Police Department for the increased presence of solo bike officers on the H-1 and H-2 freeways.

Mahalo, HPD, for deterring and citing the scofflaw single-occupant vehicles driving in the HOV lane.

ALOHA AIRLINES

MAHALO TO ALL INVOLVED IN THE RECENT JOB FAIR

As a former employee of Aloha Airlines, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to First Hawaiian Bank and the City and County of Honolulu for sponsoring the recent job fair at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

When I was faced with the frightening experience of becoming unemployed after almost 22 years of service to a company that I sincerely loved, it was heartwarming to see that there were those in the community who truly cared and wanted to help.

Mahalo to the many businesses and government agencies that took the time to speak with us individually about the job opportunities and services they had to offer, and for their kind words of encouragement.

In such a tight job market, it is a relief to know that we have the skills and the job experience that other companies seek.

My hope is that we made connections today that will lead us to once again become productive and contributing residents of this state.

To my former co-workers, let us continue to spread the spirit of aloha wherever we go in life.

NO CLASS

SHOPPING CART THEFT PREVALENT ON MAUI

Eight months ago, the Star Market in Kihei better facilitated shopping with an additional 110 shopping baskets, half the normal size, which were ideal for maneuvering a small load through crowded, narrow corridors. Recently, I couldn't find one and figured this helpful idea must have been discontinued.

Recently while at the small park by the Whale Institute on South Kihei Road, I found one of these carts and returned it to the market.

The manager was grateful, complaining that all of his carts had disappeared; they are ideal for yard work and people absconded with them.

These thieves do not consider themselves as such, rationalizing they are owed this stipend by Star where they spend a lot of their pay on food and booze.

This folly is not only prevalent with those who are carless or the poor, ripping one off to double as a wheelbarrow; it is also those who we expect to know better who fail to appreciate the fact this is private property.

Frequently I'll see a resident at my Garden Estates next door wheel a cart through the gate, unload it, then push it into the trash receptacle shelter, leaving it there rather than taking 10 more steps to the gate and shoving it back into the parking lot.

If you don't realize this is wrong, you don't have enough class to live on Maui.

HONOLULU AIRPORT

LONGTIME WIKI WIKI DRIVER IS NOT KEPT ON

My mom was a driver for the Wiki Wiki buses for almost 18 years. Growing up, my sister and I would sometimes go to the airport to ride the bus with her on the weekends. We'd bring bag lunch to eat in one of the terminals. It was a fun memory from my childhood.

Well, as of April 1, when Roberts Hawai'i took over the state's contract to operate the Wiki Wiki buses, my mom is no longer employed.

With 18 years of seniority, she gets no consideration whatsoever to remain on the job?

Roberts claims to be a "local" operator, but they have no love for the locals who have operated the Wiki Wiki buses for years.

Shame on you, Roberts. And shame on the state if it does not investigate. Auwe!

THEATER

CASTLE'S 'CABARET' A STUNNING PERFORMANCE

My family and visited O'ahu for the weekend from Kaua'i and had the opportunity to see "Cabaret," a performance put on by the quite-capable company Castle Performing Arts in Kane'ohe. Wow!

It is exceptionally well directed by Karen Meyer, with well-thought-out and professional-looking sets.

And the performers, double wow. Mostly a combination of freshman, juniors and seniors, with a stellar performance by a college freshman from Windward Community College.

With gorgeous vocals and tight performances, I would strongly encourage anyone on this island who has any interest in theater to see this performance.

Hats off to all involved, it was delightful.

RAIL

IT'S NOT HOT LANES VS. FIXED GUIDEWAY SYSTEM

Proposals have circulated suggesting that HOT lanes or a Pearl Harbor tunnel are alternatives to a fixed guideway system. The O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization has reviewed these options and concluded that: 1) they are not alternatives, but complementary options to pursue when funding becomes available; and 2) funding is not currently available.

Based on technical analyses, an extensive public outreach program, and financial assessments, the OahuMPO approved a comprehensive islandwide transportation plan for 2030. Some of the major components to this plan include expansion to the existing bus system, a fixed guideway system, and about $3 billion of highway improvements — including new facilities, widenings, and other modifications.

Although we could have used more projects, that was all we could afford. HOT lanes and the Pearl Harbor tunnel were not included as part of the $3 billion highway package, but instead, were included in the "good to have if funding were available" category.

HOT lanes were not included because the state does not have the authority to collect tolls; and the tunnel was not included because of its $7 billion estimated cost. In order to develop a doable plan, we are restricted from including any project where funding has not been firmly established.

The OahuMPO is a city-state agency responsible for coordinating transportation planning on O'ahu. This responsibility includes approving the official regional transportation plan for O'ahu and programming federal transportation funds.