GOVERNMENT

ELIGIBLE VOTERS SHOULD START CASTING BALLOTS

A recent survey showed that 25 percent of the working population of this state is unionized.

Hawai'i is one of the most socialistic states in the union. Unfortunately, that 25 percent of employees are the people most likely to vote, which puts the rest of us in a situation of the tail wagging the dog.

Until the eligible voters of this state wake up and start casting ballots, all the complaining will not count.

Unfortunately, most of the folks who do express an opinion probably are voters, and also voted for our present representatives.

KAILUA

CITY HAS FOLLOWED UP ON ILLEGAL RENTAL UNITS

With regard to the letter from Josh Rubino (Jan. 3), the Department of Planning and Permitting disagrees with the contention that nothing is being done on the issue of vacation rentals.

The two resolutions passed by the City Council call for a variety of Land Use Ordinance amendments that are under active study. Information from Neighbor Island and Mainland communities faced with similar situations is being reviewed to assess whether their procedures and regulations would be suitable for use on O'ahu.

When this research/analysis phase is complete, DPP will submit recommendations to the Planning Commission for public hearing. The measures will then be submitted to the City Council for another public hearing. These procedures are required by law, take time and provide assurance of equity to all parties concerned.

In the past year, DPP has stepped up enforcement against violators. We will follow up on complaints of illegal use, attempt to contact the owner and verify the violation. If there is a violation, we issue a notice of violation requiring correction. Failure to correct will result in the issuance of a notice of order, which will result in the assessment of fines if ignored. Nonresponsive cases are referred to the corporation counsel for legal action. Other measures used are attachment on licenses and permits and liens on property.

During the past year, DPP has issued 56 notices of violation and 28 notices of order.

ENVIRONMENT

VISITOR ASTONISHED AT LACK OF RECYCLING HERE

As a first-time visitor to Hawai'i, I have spent a week enjoying the wonderful scenery and discovering new things.

However, I have had a very difficult time trying to find a place to recycle anything, including your paper when I have finished reading it.

I am amazed that the local communities have done nothing to advocate recycling in Hawai'i. Along the beaches, there are no recycling bins. Everything goes into the trash (including beverage containers, for which I know Hawai'i only recently began collecting a deposit — one great step in the right direction).

I found the same situation almost everywhere I went. Where is the pride of the local resident?

Please respect your environment and help make it easier for visitors (and locals) to recycle limited resources.

IRAQ

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REALLY WAR DEPARTMENT

While Congress is renaming committees, perhaps it's time to re-rename the Defense Department to the War Department, as it was before World War II.

After all, we are starting the wars, not (simply) defending ourselves.

SADDAM WAS A TYRANT, BUT PROVIDED STABILITY

Is the world really "better off without Saddam Hussein," as President Bush has declared?

Saddam was indeed a tyrant, and ruled Iraq with cruelty and terror. But, he provided stability in this central part of the Mideast.

Saddam's authoritarian rule created a strategically critical buffer between Sunni and Shia states and between Arabs, Persians and Turks. Despot though he was, he created a secular, functioning state where women's rights were championed, education flourished, and critical infrastructure was built.

Contrary to Bush's naive hopes, maintaining order in this land of religious, tribal, and ethnic conflict can never be done by U.S. puppet "choir boys" or by any truly democratic system of government.

The legacy of Bush's immoral invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam is not only the many thousands of lives lost, tens of thousands of permanently maimed survivors, hundreds of billions of dollars squandered and the loss of international respect for America, but also includes the perhaps irrevocable destruction of Mideast quasi-stability.

When all-out regional chaos descends on the Mideast and petroleum supplies are curtailed in the not-too distant future, then I suspect Saddam Hussein will be sorely missed.

KAWELA DEVELOPMENT

KUILIMA'S RESPONSE ON BURIALS IS ARROGRANT

Kuilima Corp. once again has shown its arrogance by defying a state official's suggestion to revise its massive development plans at Turtle Bay Resort and Kawela Bay.

Issues such as burials are precisely the reason a new environmental impact statement should be required of Kuilima.There have been too many changes on the North Shore since the 1980s when the original agreements were made.

Most tourists coming to the area do not want to spend vacation time in densely populated areas; that is why they seek the tranquility of the country. Development on the scale of Kuilima's plans would destroy that sense of place.

Kudos to State Historic Preservaton Division administrator Melanie Chinen for warning Kuilima about future obstacles.

If the warnings go unheeded, and Kuilima is forced to revise later when delays will cost millions of dollars or kill the project entirely, you will not see any tears from me.