AIRPORT A 'NO-BRAINER' FOR NEW RAIL SYSTEM

Did I hear right? Is there actually debate on whether or not the proposed transit line should or should not stop at the airport?

That is a no-brainer. Of course it should. Think of all the traffic it would cut if people could hop on the light rail out of the airport and down to Waikiki.

Talk about convenience. Wow, what a marketing coup. Word of mouth would travel all around the world about the convenience of this new system.

Minneapolis has light rail directly out of the airport and 10 minutes to Mall of America. Chicago has the Blue Line and Orange Line. Atlanta is another example.

If we are going to put light rail in, do not be manipulated by special interest groups. This is something that will forever affect the landscape, economy and reputation of this beautiful place.

Think clearly and mindfully.

PROPERTY VALUES

SECOND-HOME OWNERS DON'T NEED TAX RELIEF

This is in response to Angelo Merlino's Jan. 8 letter ("Second-home owners need tax relief, too").

With all due respect, Mr. Merlino, how can you compare yourself to some of our senior citizens and others living one check away from homelessness?

Some people in Hawai'i have to decide whether to eat, pay the electric bill or pay their ever-increasing property tax bills.

Your primary residence is somewhere else, and you are fortunate enough to have a second home in Hawai'i and money to fly back and forth, attend theater productions while you are here and go out for meals in restaurants.

We are happy to have you here, but it doesn't sound like you are in dire need of tax relief to me.

ZONING

HAWAI'I KAI CHANGE SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED

I wish to thank Suzanne Roig for writing about the request of developers to get a zoning change to build up to a height of 90 feet at Hawai'i Kai Drive and Keahole Street, instead of the 60-foot maximum presently permitted.

As a community member and a Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board member, I oppose this request. This matter should come before the public and the neighborhood board before the Planning Commission makes its ruling.

The neighborhood board was given no opportunity to put this before the public before a decision will be made.

In the past few years, a number of high-occupancy housing units have been built in Hawai'i Kai. We have lost much of our open space, and our roads and community are increasingly crowded.

Allowing this new building to be 50 percent taller than zoning presently allows will bring 50 percent more people and their cars than it would if we held them to the present limit.

It also sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing more changes to our zoning, making it easier to displace farmers, build on conservation or preservation land, or tear down present housing and build taller.

The public has until Jan. 23 to submit comments to Henry Eng, Director, Department of Permitting & Planning, City and County of Honolulu, 650 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813.

I urge you to let Mr. Eng know how you feel about this matter.

KAMA'AINA RATES

RELOCATED ISLANDERS SHOULD GET DEALS, TOO

I was born and raised in Hawai'i, and relocated to California in the late 1950s after my discharge from the Army.

We have visited Hawai'i at least once a year to visit relatives on O'ahu and generally stay at a hotel because we have our children with us and do not want to crowd in with relatives.

Why can't we get "kama'aina rates" for hotel stays and other attractions? Isn't the definition for "kama'aina" a person born in Hawai'i?

Those of us who relocated to the Mainland did so because of economic reasons, and we visit Hawai'i on a regular basis.

After spending large sums for airfare we can most certainly appreciate some discount on accommodations and events that we might attend.

CONGRESS

RAISE MINIMUM WAGE, MAKE U.S. BETTER PLACE

Congress is addressing the issue of raising the minimum wage. With the growing poverty in our nation, this would seem to be a nonissue.

However, it appears to be a bone of contention. Big business doesn't want it.

To make America a better country, this is one (of many things) that needs to be done.

If Congress fails to pass this, at the very least, they should rescind the numerous raises they've given themselves since the last increase to the minimum wage.

ALOHA STADIUM

LOVE WARRIOR FOOTBALL, HATE THE FANS' TRASH

Hats off to the University of Hawai'i football organization this season.

What a fantastic group of young athletes. The unity of this team is so awesome.

The only sour note is the mess that everyone leaves in the stadum. With all the excitement, you start to see lots of torn confetti, handmade paper airplanes flying everywhere in the stadium.

It looks horrible during and after a game with all that mess. Everyone should take pride in our events and be respectful of one another and our 'aina.

We love the game but hate the mess.

OBESITY

PARENTS, TOO, CAN CUT UNHEALTHY BEVERAGES

I'm glad your Jan. 4 editorial noted that reducing and preventing childhood obesity is not just the role of the education system.

Last year, the state Board of Education took an unpopular, but significant step to prohibit nonhealthy beverages from being sold in any public school.

Since vending machine contracts are currently in place, the effect of the new policy will not be seen until July 2007.

I encourage parents to follow the BOE's lead, and reduce the amount of soda and other unhealthy beverages that their children drink.

We can only control what is sold on campus. As our critics have said, "students will just go to the store and buy a soda." That's where parental influence comes in.

CELL PHONES

RINGTONES BREAK UP MONOTONY OF BUS RIDES

The idea of banning cell phone ringtones on buses is silly.

What does it hurt to have a cell phone ring now and then? It breaks the monotony. And what difference does it make whether a passenger is talking to a companion or to someone on the phone?

There are many worse things we put up with on the bus — air conditioning set to the threshold of pain, graffiti, purses banging legs, women putting on makeup, women brushing their hair in your face, bugs and cockroaches crawling up your leg, drunks and much more.

I say restrict the driver from using a cell phone, not the passengers.

KAWELA BAY

TURTLE BAY MUST LEARN TO PROTECT THE 'AINA

State Historic Preservation Division administrator Melanie Chinen's advice to Turtle Bay Resort officials is weighty and significant.

Turtle Bay Resort is obligated to treat the land as a living entity. The 'aina is not just a commodity for you to undermine as you wish, so please humble yourselves, stop the threats, do your homework and learn what it means to truly "malama i ka 'aina."

OUR ISLAND LIFE NEEDS TO BE SAVED, PROTECTED

Memories serve to protect, remind and perpetuate. They make for great stories and have the potential to direct our future.

My first memory of Hawai'i is with my mother at the beach off Diamond Head. My most recent memories are of a three-day escape to Kawela Bay. I was born and raised on O'ahu, and I had never been there. I felt I had just stepped onto Tahiti or Kaua'i because of its lush forests and a bay teaming with ocean life.

What is your first memory of Hawai'i; your first experience with island life? Preserve it, keep it alive. Then, take a trip out to Kawela Bay. Decide for yourself if Oaktree Capital Management's planned expansion is best for the island.

Change is good, memories are sweet, but there is something to be said about keeping certain things sacred.

Please learn about the proposed expansion plan and help support Defend O'ahu Coalition in keeping the O'ahu we know from becoming a total memory.

PLANS FOR EXPANSION SHOULD BE REVIEWED

State Historic Preservation Division administrator Melanie Chinen should be applauded for recommending a review of Oaktree Capital's planned expansion at Kawela Bay.

The iwi are there. They should not be disturbed in any way, shape or form.

Oaktree can sell the existing hotel property for a decent profit.

This isn't just happening in Kawela but in all of Hawai'i. Enough hotels already.

HAWAI'I SHOULD BACK SHORELINE SETBACKS

Finally, a government entity — the State Historic Preservation Division under the direction of administrator Melanie Chinen — stood up for our important ancient burials in Kahuku.

All of Hawai'i should stand with her and support her recommendation for shoreline setbacks for Oaktree Capital Management's planned expansion.

Other state and city officials should be examining how this 20-year-old plan escapes updated impact reviews to address the loss of rural communities.

What becomes of our families who seek free wholesome beach and countryside recreation? Do we wait until it's all gone, or do we preserve this precious, finite resource for generations to come?