ELIMINATION

DON'T BLAME OUTSIDERS FOR LITTERING PROBLEM

Who is littering? Who is to blame for washing machines on the side of the road, or tires in our streams? Who is throwing empty six-packs and fast-food bags out their windows?

Tourists? People who spend thousands of dollars to come here for a week or two? I don't think so. If anyone has an appreciation for our land, it's the person who comes from a place that is not quite as nice.

So that would also rule out all but the most ignorant military personnel and those who have relocated here. So who is left to blame? Those who stand to lose the most and those who should have the most respect for our 'aina — think about it.

MILEAGE DROP

ETHANOL POOR EXCUSE FOR AUTOMOBILE FUEL

Regarding Roy Henkel's May 22 letter: It's not Tesoro, Roy. Facts are facts, and what the federal and state governments haven't told you about ethanol is that it is a poor-quality fuel that ultimately decreases your mileage per tankful.

So, while prices at the pump rise, some of that due to mixing in ethanol, your mileage will not vary, it will go down. Like water down a drain, your hard-earned dollars disappear faster than 'opihi at the fish market, all because of the mandate to mix this poor excuse for an automobile fuel in with gasoline.

And to our highly uneducated and purely politically motivated government cronies, keep these renewable sources of alcohol where they should be, in a bottle and not in our tanks. Now let's all drink to that.

ZONING

PLANNING DIRECTOR ALTERED HIS STANCE

I echo the sentiment in the May 15 letter "Charter panel ignored voice of the people," and raise a vital question: What made Henry Eng, director of the Planning and Permitting Department, rapidly change his support of the planning and zoning proposals before the Charter Commission at the May 10 meeting?

I was one of the many who counted on the director's testimony (the most recent being in late March) in support of measures to stop urban sprawl via proposals establishing urban growth boundaries and targeting the City Council a la "the super majority" vote for specified zone changes.

How is it possible that in the final stretch of deliberating the fate of all the planning and zoning proposals before the Charter Commission for the November ballot, Mr. Eng changes his mind not once but for each and every planning and zoning proposal? Who did Mr. Eng speak with and what does this say about our leadership and the future growth of our fragile island?

CATALUNA

COLUMN ON CANCER PATIENT HEARTENING

Many thanks for Lee Cataluna's very touching and heartening May 14 column on the struggle and suffering of cancer patient Liloa Nakamatsu.

Her wonderful and excellent portrayal of one so young in the desperate attempt for recovery from this deadly disease brought tears to many who knew him.

I would also like to thank Liloa's many friends who stood by him to the very end. They never forgot.

Mahalo again, Lee — keep up the good work!

VISIBILITY

BACKING VEHICLE INTO PARKING SPACE BETTER

Regarding the May 23 letter "Take care to avoid backing-up mishaps": I have found that by backing into a parking space, one can avoid the problems of trying to back out, especially in heavy traffic.

If the driver can't see through the car parked next to him, he has to back almost two-thirds of the way out before being able to see what's coming down the lane. But by driving out, the view of the lane is almost immediate.

Also, because the wheels turn at the front, it is much easier to back in, especially in a tight spot. Try it. You'll like it! No more anxieties when moving out of a parking spot.

GRAFFITI

JUST CRACK DOWN

Art is art. Crime is crime. It's time to bust graffiti in Honolulu.

TRAILER PARKS

SEVERAL FACTORS AFFECT OUR HOUSING PROBLEM

Regarding Mr. Hector Euredjians' question in his May 16 letter, "Can anybody tell me why we can't have trailer parks in Hawai'i?" I'd like to add other thoughts to this matter.

First, unlike the Mainland, land is somewhat scarce, and what's available is beyond reach for the average person. Thus, it goes to the highest bidder.

Second, a sizable amount of land is now empty acreage of golf courses, of which there are 39 of them on this island alone.

Third, perhaps it is time for our venerable and illustrious legislators to create and implement a rent-control law. However, I suggest excluding those lawmakers who are themselves landlords from the voting process, or they can just put a cap on rent, just like that fuel price thingy.

I think that trailer parks are a great idea.

COMPETITION

Have local airlines taken us for a ride?

Recently, Mesa Air Group, operator of "go," offered Hawai'i residents a $59 interisland round-trip fare, which Hawaiian and Aloha airlines matched.

In March, "go" announced a $39 one-way special, which Hawaiian and Aloha airlines also matched.

If Hawaiian and Aloha airlines can drop their fares from $180 down to $59 (a drop of 68 percent) for a round-trip interisland ticket, have they been taking advantage of the local residents?