INTERISLAND

SUPERFERRY TRIP NOT AS ECONOMICAL AS FLYING

Whoa, Hawai'i. Before you buy into the media and PR hoopla regarding the Superferry, just remember that the devil is in the details.

I booked a September trip to Kahului, Maui, and back. The fare (including taxes and fuel surcharge) was $143.74. And I had to be at Pier 19 by 6 a.m. Travel time to Maui, approximately three hours. With my car and same departure time, the fare jumped to $360.82.

In both cases, this included an advance-purchase discount and Web-booking discount.

I have instead booked a round trip on Hawaiian Airlines for the same dates, and I could choose a convenient departure time. The airfare (round trip including taxes) was $89.90. And I would be in Maui in 30 minutes.

Besides the choice of travel times, I realized I could rent a car for my short stay and take my friends to a good dinner.

Maybe the Superferry might be good for large groups, and small businesses who will take advantage of being able to drive their products to their customers, but I don't see the Superferry as an economically viable and attractive alternative for individuals who need to be on a Neighbor Island quickly and efficiently.

FRIENDS OF LIBRARY

CROWD AT BOOK SALE AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE

Last Saturday at Ala Moana Center, I saw the incredible line of people waiting to buy an iPhone.

But I must say that I was incredibly uplifted later that day when I went to the opening of the Friends of the Library book sale at McKinley.

The parking lot was full and there were at least 10 times more people lining up to buy books than to buy an iPhone.

Perhaps there is yet hope.

TITLE IX

MINK WOMAN OF VISION IN CHAMPIONING RIGHTS

Constance Lau recently wrote an outstanding commentary (Island Voices, June 8) on the late Patsy T. Mink and Title IX.

Patsy, indeed, was ahead of her time, and her vision and championing of women's rights lives on in every woman who has benefited from the program.

While we celebrate the passage of Title IX 35 years ago, we also celebrate the 35th anniversary of the University of Hawai'i women's athletic program.

In the early '70s there were many inequities in the women's program.

Donnis Thompson was in charge of the women's program and fought to have parity. For the most part, it fell on deaf ears.

In 1978 when I served in the Legislature, I filed a Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights regarding the discrimination and inequity of women athletes at UH.

In 1981, my complaint was settled since UH promised improvements. A 60-page investigative report had outlined disparities and discrepancies of the women's program.

It was because of Patsy's wisdom and courage that all of this has been possible.

ALOHA SPIRIT

OUTPOURING OF HELP AFTER KAWELA ACCIDENT

On June 21, a hit-and-run driver in a black Volvo sedan slammed into the donated van belonging to Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs near Kawela Bay on the North Shore.

The two occupants in the Volvo were so intent in fleeing the scene that they never saw our volunteer driver, who is disabled, being aided by several good Samaritans, including a visiting doctor.

They also did not see the three expensive, highly trained service dogs that were terrorized and bolting down the busy highway.

I am sure these selfish people will never experience the outpouring of concern, support and love from friends and volunteers all over O'ahu when word got out about the incident.

People drove out from town, volunteers came on foot and bikes to comb the hills, and prayer chains were flying at us within hours.

The dogs were found exhausted and frightened the next day, and our driver escaped with just bumps and bruises. The outcome could have been tragic, but all we really lost was our van.

We got to experience the aloha spirit first hand from people who really care.

Hawaii Fi-Do thanks everyone for their help, we appreciate you.

NEW RELEASES

PAPER REALIZES INTEREST IN HAWAIIAN MUSIC

It is interesting to see that the introduction of new Hawaiian recorded music is being taken over by our local newspaper.

It seems that some smart person on the paper has recognized that the Hawaiian radio stations, normally the place to break new releases, no longer introduce the new releases.

The newspaper realized that there is still great interest in Hawaiian music so now has taken over that section of the entertainment world, and for that I would like to congratulate it.

I would also like to congratulate the Mountain Apple Recording Co. for its fantastic promotion of "IZ" and the excellent coverage of Raiatea Helm and others.

Hawaiian music is alive and well and they are doing the public a great service.

"I mua na mele kanaka maoli."

MUSIC

KAMAKAWIWO'OLE CD AWFUL, DISAPPOINTING

I purchased the new Israel Kamakawiwo'ole CD that was released on June 26.

To my disappointment, what I heard was not the style that I have become accustomed to with Iz's music. What I heard was not Hawaiian at all, it was haolefied and, in my opinion, awful.

Too bad I can't return the CD for my money back because I don't like it.

Please don't try to drown out Iz. I miss his beautiful voice, which has been covered by your symphonic setting.

CAMPING

NOT ENOUGH NOTICE WAS GIVEN REGARDING RULES

For many years now, our family has gotten together and camped at Mokule'ia beach.

Last Friday, my family was asked to leave because camping was not allowed.

I contacted the Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department and they verified that camping was not allowed for the time being.

It's OK if they want to restrict camping to the public but how about some kind of notice?

I live at the Mokule'ia Beach Colony and I did not find out until Friday. I'm sure the other three or four families that usually camp there once a year feel the same, too.

PUBLIC INTEREST

GOV. LINGLE SHOULD SIGN CPA LICENSING BILL

The Hawaii Association of Public Accountants urges Gov. Linda Lingle to sign HB 91 to restore the time-tested high standards for certified public accountant licensing and help ensure jobs for Hawai'i's youth.

Public accounting experience in a CPA firm, like an internship for physicians, is critical for developing CPA candidates and for the public's protection.

In recent years, the Board of Public Accountancy has allowed "any kind" of experience to be substituted as "equivalent" to the two years of professional experience in a CPA firm required for CPA licensure. HB91 would stop this abuse of discretion.

HAPA represents local CPA firms battling the Big Four international CPA firms to protect Hawai'i's consumers and jobs.

The Big Four want to lower the education, examination and experience standards for CPA licensing so they may import lesser-qualified foreigners to replace local CPAs.

The audit failures by the large international CPA firms have hurt the public enough. It is time to restore the previous high CPA licensing standards and consider the public's interests first.

ST. JOHN'S ROAD

USE LAND IN MA'ILI FOR HOMES FOR HAWAIIANS

Last year, Kaulana Park, the state's Leeward homeless liaison, came to the Wai'anae community to present the state's plan for the 90 acres at the end of St. John's Road in Ma'ili.

The 90 acres is known as Voice of America. The state is in the process of getting the deed from the federal government. However, on a map, the owner is listed as Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The state should use the 90 acres to build Hawaiian homestead for homeless Native Hawaiians and families on the waiting list instead of transitional villages.

The nearby homeowners would be more inclined to accept this concept versus transitional shelters and low-income rental units, as currently planned by the state.

Besides, according to the numbers, the majority of the homeless people are Hawaiian, so have them become homeowners instead.

VEGETARIAN

ENJOY BOUNTY OF LAND, LET'S SPARE THE ANIMALS

I am amazed that Lawrence Chun (Letter, June 27) can nonchalantly eat rabbits and extol the "virtues" of their meat, while keeping others for pets, claiming, "I'd never eat them." This is a classic case of compartmentalization.

Can the killing of any animal be humane?

Most of us proclaim to love animals, yet don't have a second thought consuming them for food or clothing.

To be truly consistent, why not become a vegetarian, or, better, a vegan? In our tropical climate, fruits and vegetables abound all year, there's never a shortage. Our heavenly land flows (not with milk and honey, but) with papayas, pineapples and mangos.

Let's enjoy our blessings and spare the animals.

HAWAIIAN TELCOM

COMPETITORS' ACTIONS LOOK LIKE SOUR GRAPES

It seems The Advertiser prints articles critical of Hawaiian Telcom with regularity.

The most recent article, which appeared July 2, reveals that both Oceanic Time-Warner and Pacific Light Net have interjected themselves into the fray at the Public Utilities Commission and have been urging sanctions.

It appears that if they can obtain financial sanctions against Hawaiian Telcom or make life more difficult for Hawaiian Telcom, those sanctions might translate into Hawaiian Telcom having to raise rates which might make these competitors' offerings more attractive.

It all looks like sour grapes to me and the PUC should recognize that fact and just maybe remove these two companies as parties to the PUC's investigations.

You can count me as a satisfied Hawaiian Telcom customer.