WATERFRONT

PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN: PLAN WAS A BAD ONE

Regarding the May 1 letter by Richard Fassler, "Kaka'ako Makai: Waterfront project must survive": I was puzzled by his quote, "And if, by some stupidity, a park is ever put in, we'd acquire a budget-draining haven for crime and the homeless."

This area is not a "wasteland" but a gem that needs to be polished, and our city and state have proved they can do it with the recent cleanup of Ala Moana Park and the relocation of the homeless. The nearby park looks great, but they could have repainted the wood on the older benches. Most of the over 50 letters to the editor want an open-space park without condos for Kaka'ako Makai.

He is correct with the quote, "The Legislature listened to the voices of the people." We don't need any more commercial amenities or residential condos in this area.

Let's thank the Save Kaka'ako group with its "people preferred plan" and start over with a plan that preserves open space for the public. Please contact your legislative representative.

AKAKA BILL

CONGRESS MUST PUT POLITICS ASIDE, VOTE

On behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, we would like to extend a sincere thank you for the May 4 editorial "Akaka bill deserves a full and fair debate." The Honolulu Advertiser is correct in its assertion that the only thing preventing this bill from a Senate vote is "political theatrics" and the spread of misinformation like the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' "ill-informed position."

The issue is indeed complex as it involves historical events, heart-wrenching emotions and 113 years of hindsight. But this legislation is the best step forward for the entire Hawai'i community.

The measure only seeks to give Hawaiians parity in federal legislation with other indigenous peoples within the U.S., specifically Native Americans and Alaska natives. This important legislation now lies within the powers of Congress to approve.

Congress must put politics aside and face the issue at hand. It is only fair and right for members of Congress to give federal recognition the break it deserves and, eventually, Hawaiians the chance to improve their status, determine their own future and contribute to the economy and cultural well-being of Hawai'i.

Congress must tackle the issue today.

GAS CAP

LAW'S REPEAL LEAVES QUESTIONS BEHIND

It seems certain that the Hawai'i gas cap law is destined to fade into history. To think that by simply repealing a law that should never have been enacted in the first place, all will be fine, as if nothing had happened, is simply naive.

In fact, what transpired in the past eight months has been a priceless market experiment for the oil companies, free of charge courtesy of the Hawai'i state government. The goal of this experiment was to find and test a price-fixing formula that would yield the most profits for them, and they have succeeded. Now they can use this formula whenever they want and wherever they want as it would be difficult to go after them for using it since once it was the law.

The politicians who enacted this law last September must be made accountable. They must explain why the law went into effect in such a hurry. Why was no research data easily available prior to the enactment such as pricing calculations based on not one but several formulas, spanning at least six to nine months?

NORTH SHORE

CALLING IT 'COUNTRY' WOULD BE MISNOMER

Give me a break! The anti-everything group protesting development on the North Shore and promoting the slogan "Keep the Country Country" is a joke.

People with any intelligence, open your eyes as you drive along the North Shore and look at the "country":

Houses line the shores; narrow roads are clogged with wave watchers; firetrap shacks with yards filled with endless junk clutter the roadside across from the famed Sunset Beach; abandoned trashed cars line the roadside for miles and miles; potholes are every few feet waiting for the unsuspecting driver; leaning power poles along the miles of roadside waiting to fall on cars await those who dare to take an honest look at the "country" on the North Shore.

If that eyesore vision is what the "Keep the Country Country" folks think country is supposed to look like, they need glasses.

How about a new slogan: "Clean up the North Shore"?

LEGACY

BARTELS GAVE HEART TO 'IOLANI PALACE

With references to 'Iolani Palace in the paper, it seems an appropriate time to remember the wonderful man who spent his life and gave his heart and soul to the restoration not only of a building, but of a lifestyle that could be forever gone were it not for Jim Bartels.

Jim was so passionate in his love and respect for the palace and the people who lived there that he was contagious. He infected all around him with the same devotion he felt. He made us believe in kings and queens, their joys and their heartaches, and 'Iolani Palace came alive with memories of them.

He never wavered in his dedication to protecting, not only the palace, but its furnishings, a resolve that finally led to his ultimate and heartbreaking decision to leave.

All of Hawai'i should remember Jim as the national treasure he was. His legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of every kama'aina and visitor who through his vision have had the unforgettable experience of walking "in the footsteps of a king."

PAY 'RENT'

HOMELESS PEOPLE SHOULD GET TO WORK

Looking at the homeless protesters at City Hall for weeks on end with signs calling for us to "honk" for a decent wage and homes for the children — has anyone ever tried to determine who the homeless really are?

For homeless families, something more than a warehouse would be appropriate, and all social efforts should be made to find adequate housing for them. For those single people who can work, give them a clean set of clothes so they can get a job.

Seems that the fast foods are hiring, and plenty of our citizens work there and get by.

If they choose not to work, then they should be put to work for the good of the city (maybe cleaning and sweeping or painting over graffiti) to pay their homeless "warehouse rent."

Maybe, too, it will help if they understood what the rest of us must go through to put a roof over our heads.