SUPERFERRY

ALOHA MEANS LIVING WITH RESPECT FOR ALL

As the controversy over the Superferry continues, it is becoming obvious that the biggest loss that we may suffer is our ability to live with aloha. It is what makes these Islands and the people who call them home different from any place in the world.

Living with aloha does not mean we will always agree with each other, but it does mean that we have respect for each other.

I was on the first voyage of the Superferry to Kahului, and I saw the people of Hawai'i enjoying an opportunity to be connected with friends and family in a new way.

My stay on Maui could not have been better, and the beauty of the island was magnificent. I look forward to a time when I can enjoy the beauty of the Islands and the people of Kaua'i and Hawai'i in the same way.

That having been said, I would give it all up if it meant that we would lose the aloha that makes us who we are and Hawai'i the special place that it is. I don't want to see these issues destroy the true beauty of Hawai'i, its people.

We have dealt with many issues over the years, and we have for the most part remained united as 'ohana with respect for each other and this place we call home.

PROTESTERS TRYING TO SAVE FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM

I keep hearing and reading that the Superferry protesters don't want change and they don't want new competition.

What everyone is forgetting is that the protesters are trying to save a fragile ecosystem that for years had been neglected.

The environmental study that was asked for and neglected by the Superferry people is to protect endangered wildlife and our environment.

Imagine the ramifications if the Superferry is allowed to proceed without such an environmental evaluation.

Then, in a few years when there are no whales wintering in Maui or native birds (which live in the protected area adjacent to the harbor), we at least will have the Superferry to ride.

HAWAI'I KAI, MILILANI

CITY SHOULD ASK ABOUT TRASH PICKUP NEEDS

I am startled to find out that we will have only one trash pickup a week.

The explanation is to justify the cost of the other pickups for recyclable items.

I actually take the time to get back my nickel per container even though they are not counting loads over 200. But that is a different issue.

So all other neighborhoods except Hawai'i Kai will get two trash pickups and we only get one?

I think the fair thing to do is contact every resident in Mililani and Hawai'i Kai and ask us what our needs are, and not have someone tell me what my needs are.

EDUCATION

CHARTER SCHOOLS DID NOT GET AWARD MONEY

A story published in your paper on Aug. 31 really caught my attention: "Twenty-one schools throughout the Islands each received $10,000 yesterday from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation for increasing reading scores for third-grade students."

While I applaud Mitch D'Olier, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Kane'ohe Ranch for their generosity, sadly my students attend a charter school and their progress was not recognized. In fact, not one charter school was awarded $10,000 and "instructed on how to apply for two separate grants through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. One, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 over two years."

I thought about writing a letter to the editor. Then, on Sept. 3, the same article appeared in your paper again. This must be an omen.

Charter school students have been systematically (and illegally) denied access to federal formula grant money since their beginnings in this state.

Nobody seems to care. Now, private foundations are excluding our public school students from grant opportunities. What's going on here? Does anyone care?

ENERGY

HYDROGEN INVESTMENT MAKES NO SENSE FOR US

At first, I was disappointed to read in the paper that Hawai'i had chosen the lowest-ranked company to manage its $8.7 million hydrogen program.

But then on further reflection, I realized that it doesn't matter who manages the hydrogen program because nothing will come of it.

And that doesn't matter either (except for the waste of money) because unlike Los Angeles with serious automotive pollution, Hawai'i doesn't have any special problems that require the hydrogen-energy solution. Furthermore, $8.7 million won't buy a program of any significance.

It would make more sense to invest our money in programs in which Hawai'i has an advantage, such as geothermal, ocean thermal energy production or production of biofuels.

Wind power will be useful in Hawai'i as it is already in many places, but hydrogen is decades away, if ever.

ACCOUNTABILITY

'AIEA FOOTBALL PLAYERS SHOW RESPONSIBILITY

Regarding the 'Aiea and Campbell high school football brawl:

What a football program they have at 'Aiea. When asked who participated in the on-field "encounter," 21 players stepped up.

It is a tribute to responsibility and integrity that they seem to be teaching as well as football.

Regardless of the affray caused by youthful judgment, the accountability of coaches and players should be commended. Na Ali'i — you rock!

KNOWLEDGE

UH FACULTY SHOULD EDIT ARTICLES IN WIKIPEDIA

Editing of Wikipedia articles by University of Hawai'i faculty should be strongly encouraged, rather than criticized or grudgingly tolerated (Page One, Aug. 28).

Whether we like it or not, Wikipedia is most people's first resource when it comes to looking for information on a subject they are not familiar with.

Wikipedia will never be perfect, but every hour we spend adding accuracy or depth to its articles will contribute to a better-educated world.

Isn't that our job?

IRAQ

A DRAFT MIGHT HAVE ENDED OR AVOIDED WAR

Bring back the draft — not because it would provide a greater pool of manpower, but because had there been a draft there would be a more equitable distribution among families of the risks and tragedies of this war.

Families would then be more critical and vocal about our failures in Iraq.

Voices now silent would be raised in a greater demand for truth from the government and the news media.

Only a very small percentage of American families are bearing the burdens and losses for the rest of us. It is their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, nieces, nephews, not ours, that are in harm's way.

The great majority of us have little, if any, personal participation in this war. We are not even being asked to participate by making sacrifices. No hardships, no rationing of gas, sugar or meat. Our personal lives have very little at risk in this war, and, sadly, even less to contribute.

Had all families been at equal risk, our troops would perhaps be home by now. Surely, Congress would have been slower to approve this war. Perhaps we might never have gone to Iraq.

TRAFFIC

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL SOLVE CONGESTION

Rail will bring jobs, new development and a huge debt.

By itself, rail will not solve our traffic congestion. Buses and shuttles now channel commuters directly to their destinations. Buses will play a significant part in transferring daily commuters to stations along a proposed transit route.

Until motorists realize significant economic advantages, current habits will prevail. One way to reduce congestion is to create public/private subsidies for motorists who carpool daily with three or more individuals per vehicle.

A toll system may also be instituted for highway rush-hour users. Each vehicle would be prorated based on the number of passengers and by the time of day the vehicle travels on H-1 and H-2.

Over the long term, a partial solution is to relocate the University of Hawai'i-Manoa undergraduate classrooms to Leeward state lands. These and similar proposals need to be part of a comprehensive commitment to eliminating traffic congestion.

DEMOCRATS

PARTY RESPECTS ALL, REGARDLESS OF RELIGION

Whoever the so-called Democrat was who evidently grilled Sen. Mike Gabbard about his "religious affiliation" ("Sen. Gabbard bolts GOP for Democratic Party," Aug. 31) does not represent the values and attitude of the Democratic Party.

It's intolerable for those who call themselves Democrats to hide under the guise of our "big tent" philosophy and then try to grill someone about their religion. We are a party that respects and values everyone regardless of their race, ethnic group, gender or religion.

The Democratic Party doesn't have any room for religious bigots.

THEATER REVIEW

SLIDES WERE SHOWN AT 'BALTIMORE WALTZ'

In Joseph Rozmiarek's review of "The Baltimore Waltz" he said that Brad Powell's direction omited the scene where a supposed slideshow of Europe includes only photos taken in and around the Baltimore hospital where Vogel's brother spent his final days.

I saw the slideshow he is referring to during the opening night performance.

I was sitting right next to Joe. He never left his seat, and I did not hear him snoring. The only explanation I can think of is that he was so caught up in the performances of Karen Valasek, Josh Harris and Jacin Harter that he could not take his eyes off them long enough to look at the slides they were showing on the stage-right wall.

Thanks for the great review, Joe, and sorry you missed the slideshow. It was hilarious.

MAGIC ISLAND

CITY HAS NO PLANS TO CUT DOWN, MOVE TREES

For The Outdoor Circle to suggest that the city would arbitrarily cut down trees at Magic Island is ludicrous.

The city has no plans to cut down trees and never did. The column in last week's paper (Island Voices, Sept. 7) is much ado about nothing, literally. It appears to be just a cheap attempt to grab a headline.

The trees at Magic Island do not belong to The Outdoor Circle, do not belong to Blue Planet Festival and do belong to the people of Honolulu.

And the people of Honolulu have a tree champion in their corner. Mayor Mufi Hannemann takes great pride in the fact that Honolulu has held for more than a quarter century the designation of Tree City, USA. He chaired the first U.S. Conference of Mayors Committee on Trees, and has placed as a high priority of his administration improvements to city parks and botanical gardens.

In initial meetings with the city about a proposed concert at Magic Island, the Blue Planet Festival wondered whether they could move some trees. Mayor Hannemann asked if they could put on the concert without moving trees. The Blue Planet Festival folks said they could. Mayor Hannemann then told them to continue with their plans, and that no trees would be moved.

The city normally consults The Outdoor Circle before removing city trees. The Outdoor Circle was not consulted in this instance because the city was not going to cut down any trees.

We'll let The Outdoor Circle know if and when their services or advice might be needed.