OUTCOME

GAS-CAP SUPPORTERS NOW ARE BACKPEDALING

Promoters of the flawed gas-cap law failed to address the real reasons Hawai'i gasoline prices are usually higher than on the Mainland (the highest gas taxes in the country, anti-competitive laws passed by the Legislature and the high cost of doing business here). Instead, they sold the public on a risky political experiment that their own experts have rejected because it could backfire against consumers.

Now, just as it's being implemented, gas-cap promoters appear to be backing away from promises that their government price-control scheme would lower consumer prices. "No one can predict whether this will cause the price of gasoline to rise, fall or stay the same," wrote one legislative supporter.

INDEPENDENCE

SEN. AKAKA BLEW IT BY SAYING THE I-WORD

When Sen. Akaka addressed the issue of independence during his recent NPR interview, he inadvertently exposed the true implication of creating congressional actions to address injuries stemming from the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. When it comes down to it, all federal programs, entitlements and allowances to Native Hawaiians are but ploys to avoid the real issue: the restoration of Hawai'i as an independent nation.

This is the subject matter that Sens. Akaka and Inouye, Reps. Case and Abercrombie, Gov. Lingle and all the hirelings of the powers-that-be have worked so desperately hard to avoid. The reason there has been no public hearings in Hawai'i and the reason Hawaiian nationals were not allowed to speak in the D.C. hearings is that the powers-that-be did not want the explosive "I" word to mess things up.

Well, it's happened. Akaka said it. His on-air comment regarding independence set off a howl of outrage.

To Akaka's opponents, the "I" word is a far greater weapon for their arsenal than the old liberal "race-based discrimination" mantra. By his candid response to the "I" word question, Akaka has given his opponents the salvo they need to blast his bill right out of the water.

It's a shame for this to happen to a kind, wonderful, generous, sincere servant of his people.

ZIPPER LANE

LOWERING OCCUPANT MINIMUM WAS MISTAKE

Whoever decided to change the Zipper Lane occupant minimum from three to two made a huge mistake.

I usually carpooled with three other people from the Leeward side into town, but since the zipper lane has been altered to allow two riders, there has been increasing traffic and it makes no sense to carpool anymore.

Recently, we zipper riders have been late to our jobs when we attempted to ride the zipper lane, whereas we have a better chance if we stay on the regular H-1. We have disbanded the carpool arrangement and now all four of us just drive individual cars on the H-1 and stay out of the zipper lane. I often see cars jumping out of the zipper lane (because of traffic backup) and illegally crossing the grassy median to get back on the regular H-1.

What a big mess! If the zipper lane wasn't broken before, it sure is now. Somebody needs to change it back to the way it was (three or more riders before 7 a.m., then after 7 a.m. two or more are OK).

KATRINA

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE ISN'T READY FOR DISASTER

As I watched the reporting on Katrina, the evacuations, unavailability of shelter areas in and around Louisiana, I became painfully aware that our country, on the city, state and federal levels, is not prepared for major natural or man-made disasters, no matter what our political leaders say.

Everyone who is anyone in government, including high military officials, has warned that we are in for a major terrorist attack in the not too distant future and yet we are not prepared. Our roads cannot handle large evacuations. Our schools are falling down and were not built with the dual purpose of security and shelter, and our other public and private buildings fare no better.

We have so much to do to prepare this country, and yet pork-barrel spending prevails in this administration and on both sides of our political spectrum. We need to kick the bums out of office, whether Democrat or Republican, elect people who are willing to do the right things with no regard for their own political future, prepare ourselves to survive whatever the future brings and trust God Almighty.

HARBOR NEEDS

CANCER CENTER MUST BE PUT ELSEWHERE

It is interesting that some seem to believe that cargo ships are capable of docking in the environs of Honolulu to offload their vital cargo, while the same folks seem to think that the only location suitable for UH's cancer research center is along the waterfront near to or at Piers 1 and 2.

Honolulu's harbor is vital to our state's economy. The ability of ships to load and offload cargo expeditiously is certainly more vital to our well-being than having its important cancer research center situated near the harbor or even the new John A. Burns Medical School. The Hawai'i Community Development Agency seems to think otherwise; it seems to want to build a new center on the precious waterfront land at Piers 1 and 2.

Rational minds need to prevail with regard to the use of Honolulu's waterfront and the ability to support waterborne commerce, now and into the future.

SHAKA

SIGN PREDATED LIPPY

I am a contemporary of Steve Chang and I concur with his recollection that the time of the origination of the general use of, and the meaning of, the shaka sign predated Lippy. Indeed, instead of saying "Shaka!" we would flash the hand sign and say, "Easy (pronounced 'eeesayy!') brah." Mahalo.