PETER BAILEY

FAMILY OF VICTIM SHOCKED, OUTRAGED

I'm the sister of Carol Olandy who was murdered by Peter Bailey. My mom and I live in Henderson, Nev., since 1991. My father has since passed on. Our family is shocked and heartbroken to have heard this news about Peter Bailey.

We were never notified of his release for three years now. My sister attended his parole meeting in 1999 to be certain he did not get released. My father was relieved that the judge denied Bailey's request, and we thought he would not be released until 2014, at which point we would have gone back to the parole board and appeal the request.

Our family back in Honolulu says it's heartbreaking to hear news all day that refers to my sister Carol Olandy's name, and that brought back very distressing bad memories. I'd like to know how members of the parole board feel today and can they tell my family — and, most of all, the victim's family — why we weren't notified? We are so shocked and just heartbroken by this news.

WRONG MESSAGE

FRONT PAGE A DISMAL VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE

A cursory overview of Wednesday's front page highlights a disturbing reality for our state, and the perceptions we create for all potential visitors contemplating a vacation in paradise.

First, a convicted murderer, sentenced to 35 years to life, is released into mainstream society like a shark into a tank of goldfish. Responsibility for his sexual assault in a church should be shared equally by himself and the paroling board. When will we realize that once a criminal breaks the social contract of acceptable behavior, they are not equal members of a law-abiding society and should not be treated as such?

Next, a lovely article on how too few people were collecting food stamps, and this must be a bad thing. Instead of focusing on the fact that the fewer people on public aid, the better for the population as a whole, the article points out that the problem must lie in an overbearing bureaucracy and that the system needs simplification.

Lastly, what are we telling our potential visitors? Are we telling them that Hawai'i is safe and family-friendly, and that we are a proud people? No. I think we are telling them that we praise compassion for the criminal element more than the security and well-being of average citizens.

TRAFFIC

GEOGRAPHIC SHORTCUT IS A WORTHWHILE SOLUTION

A good way to reduce traffic congestion is to get people off the main traffic corridor. The recent Iroquois Point access controversy got me looking at aerial photography. You'd never think it, but the 'Ewa plain is just a short hop to the Pearl Harbor and Hickam military bases. One of the next traffic solutions for O'ahu must take advantage of this geographic shortcut. I'm sure this is not an original thought, but it's time to reevaluate whatever studies have been done in the past.

A bridge would be great, albeit with a ton of security concerns crossing this inlet to Pearl Harbor, but nothing insurmountable. It could be a Ford Island-type bridge with a removable pontoon section and only crossable for the morning and afternoon commute. Even without a bridge (or chunnel), a ferry system would work well, shuttling people and even cars. These systems could even be expanded to public use in the future.

Pearl Harbor and Hickam will continue to be major employers on the island for a long time to come. We need to get the military to help us reduce O'ahu's traffic congestion.

DOT

NIMITZ LANE CLOSURES WOULD BE UNBEARABLE

So the state Department of Transportation is set to do much-needed repairs on the H-1 airport viaduct. That's great news.

However, later in the article, it is stated that work will continue for two years and consist of lane closures (that's a given), and a speed-limit reduction to 15 mph in order to reduce vibration in the setting concrete. This will effectively close one of our main traffic arteries, but that maybe what's needed. If it's in the middle of the night it could be manageable.

But what is absolutely crazy is that they also plan to close Nimitz highway underneath it, and they plan to do some of this work during the day on Sundays. Are they out of their minds?

ROAD WORK

CLOSING PALI FOR A DAY WILL HELP EASE TROUBLES

Nowadays there seems to be continuous roadwork on the Pali. It is cleverly scheduled at random times so that it is almost impossible to avoid and notice, for it is shown so late that you are upon it before you can merge effectively into the other lane.

Some days it is clear that productive work is being done, but at other times it appears that crews have been sent out only to position or pick up the orange cones with no other activity evident.

It is reminiscent of the roadwork done on the Likelike some two years ago when, among numerous other slowdowns, it was routine to encounter a 2-to-3 mile coned-off lane on the way down to Kalihi with no trucks or road crews in sight.

I have a marvelous suggestion. Why not close down the Pali completely for one day and send in as many road crews as possible to do whatever they want to do, needed or not? Then give us back a clear two lanes each way for those of us who have to travel this road each day.

TURTLE BAY

COMPANY RESPECTED FOR BACKING OUT OF DEAL

I know many share in my delight as Starwood Hotels and Resorts stopped negotiation with the Turtle Bay Resort. I appreciate a company with the depth and breadth of Starwood who goes through due diligence and decides to back down.

This must mean they, too, thought the expansion plan for the North Shore resort was a bad idea. Congratulations, Starwood, for paying attention and caring what the voice of the people were saying: Keep the country country!

CATALUNA COLUMN

MAUI BRACING FOR POTATO-SEEKING WAVE

It had to happen. I didn't expect Lee Cataluna to be the one to let the cat (or potato wedge) out of the bag, so to speak.

We must now face hoards of potato-starved off-islanders to descend in waves on our local Minit-Stops. Traffic jams, shortages, price increases will ensue. All things must pass, I guess. Let's hope noone finds out about Komoda's — oops.

WATER

LOCAL, STATE LEADERS: WATCH YOUR OWN HABITS

Can the water board, the mayor and governor explain something?

They spend thousands of dollars on commercials, telling the public to take shorter showers, don't water in the heat of the day, yada, yada, yada.

Wouldn't it make sense to practice what they preach? Last year we watered the grass in Waikiki, while we had 40-plus days of rain. We continually water in the 10-to-2 time frame. I get hit with the water frequently. Oh, that's right: We water the sidewalks, too.

Maybe taking shorter showers is not the problem. It doesn't surprise me that our officials yet again refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions, or lack thereof.

Can the registered voters please remember things like this when voting?

RADIATION

STATE MONITOR NEEDED FOR ARMY'S DU TESTING

The military said they never used depleted uranium in Hawai'i, but this turned out not to be true.

Now they will begin testing for DU radiation at all training ranges next month, but residents have no faith in their results.

Rep. Josh Green asked the governor that Dr. Lorrin Pang, a public health official, be a party to the monitoring process as overseer to make the public feel assured.

Tad Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for environment, safety and occupational health said, "I think we'd defer to the state on that; my inclination is to take very seriously a request from the state to that effect."

Call the governor. Ask her to appoint someone residents trust: We want Dr. Pang to monitor the monitors.

OUTSOURCING

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES DIGGING UP LOCAL ROOTS

Have you noticed the new airline at the Honolulu International Airport? It is HIPINZ Airlines. It is the shell of what appears to be the old Hawaiian Airlines (H), which now chooses to outsource it employment to the lowest bidder in the world.

The information technology section of 20 employees had its jobs sent to India (I). So much for the high technology future that the governor wants for the state's economy. The call center work cost 98 Hawai'i jobs that went to the Philippines (PI), where there was a reported 30-45 minute delay in talking to a reservation agent two weeks ago.

The biggest slap in the face to Hawai'i workers by Hawaiian Airlines was the $45-million contract to have its fleet of Boeing 767s serviced in New Zealand (NZ). So much for the aircraft maintenance curriculum at Honolulu Community College and the future for those students.

So the next time you are flying on Hawaiian (HIPINZ) Airlines, just remember the good-paying Hawai'i jobs you are helping export to the rest of the world.

NEIGHBORHOOD FIXTURE

CLOSURE OF FLAMINGO REAL LOSS TO KANE'OHE

A few years ago, when we were looking for a place for breakfast, we went to Flamingo Restaurant in Kane'ohe.

From the very first morning, we were warmly welcomed by Anne (hostess at that time), who had a hug and good word for each patron. We gradually got to know the friendly and efficient staff, and soon had breakfast at Flamingo every Sunday.

When we met Sandy, manager-owner, we then realized that the relaxed family atmosphere was influenced by her out-going, happy and respectful nature.

The news of their closing shocked us. How could this be? We expected Flamingo to be a neighborhood fixture in Kane'ohe forever.

It's sad that we'll no longer be seeing the "kids" we got to know so well, Brenda, Diane, Fred, Mickie, Patience, Robin, Stacey, Tamra, and, of course, the big kid, Sandy and her friend, Joy.

Even the cooks related to us with smiles. On top of the exceptional service we received, the food was great, especially the Japanese breakfast.

The closure of Flamingo is a real loss to Kane'ohe.

We thank Sandy and her "kids" for all the enjoyable Sunday breakfasts in a setting of lots of love.