USS CARL VINSON

CARRIER WOULD BRING UNPRECEDENTED NOISE

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter's recent news that the Navy may soon announce a move of the carrier USS Carl Vinson to O'ahu could result in both unnecessary public expense and unprecedented noise pollution on the Windward side.

To gain slightly more than a one-day improvement in ship travel time to the Taiwan Strait, the Navy proposes to spend $2.6 billion to $3.1 billion, according to Government Accountability Office estimates. This is one of the most wasteful ideas I observed in my seven years as the U.S. Pacific Command comptroller.

In addition to the waste of public funds, the proposal would bring about 6,000 crew, and even more family members, to the already congested Pearl City, 'Ewa and Windward communities. Worse would be the arrival of the carrier air wing's 75 aircraft. Most of these would be F-18 Hornet fighter-bombers and F-18 Super Hornet fighters. They are some of the noisiest aircraft ever built. With nearly all of the jet aircraft most likely to be based at Kane'ohe Bay, those of us who live on the Windward side would undoubtedly experience a huge increase in daily noise.

I do not believe the expensive idea of repositioning the Vinson from Washington state to Hawai'i is either in the nation's or the state's best interest. I therefore believe our elected congressional and state delegations should oppose this move.

GASOLINE PRICES

PUC IMPLEMENTING OIL DATA REPORTING SYSTEM

The debate over how a gasoline price cap would have altered gasoline prices is a healthy, but imperfect exercise. Unfortunately, there is no realistic way to determine with absolute certainty and accuracy what would have happened to retail gasoline prices if wholesale price caps were still in place.

The Public Utilities Commission has been tracking Hawai'i and national retail gasoline prices. The data show that for the five years before gasoline price caps were in effect, O'ahu retail prices averaged 34 cents per gallon higher than the national average. When gasoline price caps were in effect (September 2005 through early May 2006), O'ahu retail prices averaged 39 cents per gallon higher than the national average.

Since gasoline price caps were suspended in May, O'ahu retail prices have again averaged 34 cents per gallon higher than the national average. Nonetheless, we understand the need to gather and analyze data from the petroleum industry.

Based on a law passed earlier this year, the PUC is establishing a petroleum industry information reporting system. This will help policymakers and consumers make better informed judgments about the petroleum industry.

Regrettably the PUC was given only $1 to implement this complex computerized system to analyze the petroleum industry. We hope this will be corrected next legislative session. In the meantime, the PUC is finding alternative means to establish the required information system to properly investigate and monitor the operations of the petroleum industry for the benefit of consumers in Hawai'i.

PROTEST

THOSE WHO DISAGREE SHOULD RESPECT OTHERS

Hooligan sovereignty protesters used a sound system, bullhorns and in-your-face shouting to disrupt Statehood Day celebrations. They terrorized a high school band into leaving before the music could be played.

Five days later, still recuperating, I attended a blessing ceremony to open a $23 million renovation project at Windward Mall. Kamehameha Schools owns the mall. Trustee Robert Kihune and Mayor Mufi Hannemann spoke.

I am an active opponent of Kamehameha's racist admissions policy. But I left my bullhorn at home. I did not go to the podium, interrupt any speakers, yell, or stick my finger in their faces. I did not harass the school kids performing right next to my seat. A large American flag hangs permanently above center stage; yet there was no Pledge of Allegiance. When everyone stood for the singing of "Hawai'i Pono'i" I sat down because the U.S. national anthem was not also sung. That was my protest. I believe the anthem and pledge were deliberately excluded for fear that some in attendance would be disrespectful. That's how bad things have gotten.

At the end, we all joined hands and I sang along for "Hawai'i Aloha." Indeed! Let's hope so. Aloha ke Akua. Aloha kakou.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

CASE, INOUYE WRONG TO SUPPORT LIEBERMAN

Recent news articles have suggested Rep. Ed Case and Sen. Daniel Inouye are supporting Joe Lieberman's bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate as a member of the Connecticut for Lieberman party. The Democratic Party is a voluntary association and does not demand very much from its members, but it is a gross violation of the most basic party rules for a Democrat to actively support a candidate of another party against a fellow Democrat. This holds especially true for elected officials who have themselves benefited by running under the Democratic banner.

Lieberman tried to win the party's nomination, but the Democratic voters chose Ned Lamont. Case and Inouye should honor that choice and drop their support for Lieberman.

If the party ignores these flagrant violations, how can it reprimand members who support a Ralph Nader in the next presidential race? Or who appear in campaign ads for Linda Lingle?

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND SENDS ITS THANKS

I want to express my gratitude to Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Royal Hawaiian Band Director Michael Nakasone and the mem-bers of the Royal Hawaiian Band for allowing my band students to sit between and perform along with the Royal Hawaiian Band members at 'Iolani Palace last month.

Mr. Nakasone was very accommodating, and the members of the Royal Hawaiian Band were very cordial and encouraging toward my students. What a great experience for them!

In spite of leaving the teaching field to lead the Royal Hawaiian Band, Mr. Nakasone is still a caring educator at heart.

SENATE RACE

AKAKA EMBODIES COURAGE, HARD WORK

The years spent growing our concerns into a powerful voice for discussions on advancing recognition for Native Hawaiians at a federal level came together when Sen. Daniel Akaka worked vigorously to pass Public Law 103-150, commonly known as the "Apology Resolution."

This law serves as a foundation to set in stone facts about the illegal acts committed in 1893 and in 1898. I remember that in the early '70s people thought we were making up history.

We would not be at a point to debate various types of government entities had it not been for the recognition of wrongdoing and the resulting apology.

It takes more than a few quotes, self-given credit and surface-level understanding to understand Hawai'i. It takes courage, hard work and vision, all of which I admire in Senator Akaka. No one, but no one, can speak to the truth of their kulaiwi home, better than one who has generations of kupuna to answer to. He's more than a senator to me, he's a friend. But above all, he is genuine, a trait seemingly harder to find.

ELECTION 2006

MATSUNAGA WILL BE LISTENED TO IN CONGRESS

While I don't think there's been much publicity on the 2nd Congressional District House race, I have heard some things I like from Matt Matsunaga, the son of the late great Sparky Matsunaga. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I just feel like he's got a sharp mind and solid heart — both of which Washington could use more of. He's the only candidate I can picture representing Hawai'i's interests in Washington and getting listened to once he's there.

I like the way he talks about the absurdity of the Bush tax cuts and their focus on the richest people in this country. Talk about backwards! Especially when they've cut social service programs for the poor every year of his presidency.

I think he gets the real people that make this state run every day, unlike some of the other candidates in the race. I'm voting for Matsunaga and hope others in the district will, too.