ENERGY

HAWAI'I CAN CREATE ETHANOL INDUSTRY

Two events last week brought hope that Hawai'i can help overcome our greatest national security threat — our dependence on foreign oil.

First, Maui Land and Pineapple announced that it is joining with Kamehameha Schools and Grove Farm to explore biofuel technologies.

Second, two leaders in worldwide energy policy, Rinaldo Brutoco and Jerry Brown, visited and said that Hawai'i's ability to grow sugar cane could make it the first energy-sufficient state. They stated that ethanol from sugar cane is better and cheaper than ethanol from corn. They pointed to Brazil, which by developing ethanol from sugar cane and requiring its use, became the first country to kick its oil import habit. Most Brazilian vehicles are flex-fuel vehicles that run on gasoline, pure ethanol or any blend of the two.

We can create a sustainable agricultural and ethanol industry, creating jobs and preserving our open spaces, by creating a local market for ethanol. We must mandate the state to convert its auto fleet to flex-fuel vehicles and HECO's new plant permits to require 50 percent of its energy to be supplied by ethanol.

Hawai'i can build on its historical know-how with sugar cane to move these islands and the nation where we all need to go.

Sen. Robert Bunda D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa)

ENERGY

NUCLEAR POWER ALSO ALTERNATIVE FOR ISLANDS

You forgot to mention in your editorial about ethanol and alternative fuel (July 23) that, as in most other states, nuclear energy power plants are a solution.

France's electricity comes from 80 percent nuclear energy plants. Why doesn't Hawai'i's?

KIHEI FACILITY

SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL ON MAUI APPRECIATED

I would like to thank Gov. Linda Lingle and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa for their recent testimonies endorsing the proposed Malulani Health and Medical Center. Their support has been invaluable in the effort to bring improved medical care to Maui County.

Like many others, they recognize the need for an alternative to the current and only choice for Maui residents when hospital care is indicated: receive care at Maui Memorial or travel away from home.

I am impressed by their willingness to take a stand and to speak out on this controversial matter when it may not be in their political best interest to do so. This is an admirable trait in politics these days, especially in an election year. For this reason, they have each earned my vote this November.

VOUCHERS

IF SCHOOLS ARE FAILING, STUDENTS NEED OPTIONS

School is about preparing our kids for the next phase, whether it be junior high, high school, college or the work force.

If our schools are not making the grade, how can we expect our kids to pass, let alone excel? Schools need to be held to a higher standard, but if they perpetually fail to meet state marks, families deserve a better alternative.

Please consider vouchers. There are good schools in Hawai'i, public and private, and for those who are not in one they should get our support in finding one.

BOAT HARBOR

FEES SHOULD BE RAISED, GO TO MAINTENANCE

The state-run Ala Wai Boat Harbor is in disrepair. Recently Ala Wai tenants received notices from DLNR-Boating that another 200 spaces for boats would be condemned, meaning that nearly half of all the spaces in the harbor will be unusable.

The closure of these Ala Wai slips denies access to the ocean for hundreds of our citizens as well as endangering the businesses that depend on these boaters for their income.

Why has this happened? The reasons are simple. Income from harbor slip rentals goes into a special fund but is spent elsewhere, rather than providing even basic maintenance for the small-boat harbors. Secondly, rental fees are very low. At the Ala Wai, a 25-foot boat pays $120 a month for a slip. At any Mainland urban marina the rental fee would be at least $300.

The Legislature must mandate the return of a fixed percentage of harbor income to the harbors for maintenance and long-term improvement.

Increased fees for slip rentals must be implemented. The Ala Wai Boat Harbor can generate enough income to subsidize all state small-boat harbors while providing for its own needs as well.

Alternatively, privatize the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. A contract giving a marina management company the right to run the Ala Wai while the state receives a flat fee or a percentage of the net income would provide the state with substantial revenue and resurrect the harbor at no cost to taxpayers.

MARRIAGE VOTE

CASE, ABERCROMBIE REPRESENT THE FEW

In Sunday's paper in the section that showed how our elected Washington politicians voted, it was upsetting to see that both of our, if you'll pardon the expression, "representatives" voted against keeping "one nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and voted against defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Isn't it about time that Case and Abercrombie "represented" the moral majority instead of the perverted few? The good news is that Case will be gone very soon. Now, we just have to serve up "aloha ball" to Neil Abercrombie.

HAWAIIAN TELCOM

CUSTOMER DATA NOT COMPANY PROPERTY

In reference to Lynne Matusow's letter (July 23), I totally agree that she is not nearly as outraged as I was when I opened the current Hawaiian Telcom phone bill.

I have a private line that I pay for. My phone is registered with the Do Not Call List, and it is for my personal use and convenience.

Hawaiian Telcom is a public utility and I don't appreciate the way that it is attempting to waylay its customers.

My name and phone number and other information are not the property of Hawaiian Telcom to give to anyone.

I threw the enclosed card in the trash and were I not moving out of state in two months, they would be getting a certified letter with courtesy copies to the FTC, the state Public Utilities Commission and the state Attorney General's Office, just to get the ball rolling.

DISASTERS

RADIO, TV SHOULD OFFER 24-HOUR STORM NEWS

After hearing one of the more popular local radio stations tell us to have extra batteries and a radio close by as we prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Daniel, I ask all of our local radio and TV stations to also be prepared to provide us 24-hour coverage and not the normal 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. as has been the case in years past when bad weather strikes.

Also, I would encourage Civil Defense to re-emphasize when to stay off the roads. Invariably people will continue to be out during the storm unless public announcements are made by Civil Defense.

DLNR'S PROPOSED LAY GILL NET BAN

BAN ALSO WILL PUNISH RESPONSIBLE FISHERMEN

I am the third generation from a family of net fishermen. My son is also learning to fish with nets, as I learned from my dad and as he learned from his dad. Fishing for us is a way of life.

My family has been fishing in Kane'ohe Bay for over 70 years. We fish for what we need to survive and nothing more.

Net fishing may be one of many factors for the depletion of marine life, but we believe education and regulation will help to solve this problem. There are many new fishermen who are irresponsible, laying their nets in the bay and sometimes leaving them in one place for days.

I was taught to respect the ocean and take only what you need. I believe DLNR needs to work with and not against the responsible fishermen. A ban on net fishing will destroy many lives and a culture also will be lost. The following are a few suggestions instead of the proposed net fishing ban.