LANDFILL

BEST WASTE SOLUTION IS REDUCE, RECYCLE, REUSE

In his July 9 letter to the editor, "Garbage from tourists should be shipped out," Stann W. Reiziss outlined his belief that tourist-generated garbage should be shipped off-island because "They make it. They should take it."

Besides encouraging a spirit of hostility toward tourists who flock to Hawai'i for our renowned aloha spirit and hospitality, this proposed method ignores the bigger picture and problem.

We live on an island (and planet) with a finite amount of space. As Al Gore and Bono have taught us, this is a problem because we continue to find new ways to make more waste and then end up with less space.

The simplest solution to Hawai'i's waste woes? Generate less waste. Instead of paper or plastic, surprise your grocer with your own grocery tote. Invest in a Nalgene bottle. Take notes on the blank side of printed documents, then recycle that paper.

Yes, tourists do create lots of waste, so maybe more convenient recycling bins are in store. But perhaps they would take a clue and do as the locals do if our own waste consciousness were more visible. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

KOKO CRATER

KAISER COUGARS SHOULD CREATE OWN TRADITIONS

As the former faculty adviser to the first senior class at Kaiser High School, the school year painted on the flank of Koko Crater has always been a personal embarrassment.

The practice began as a spontaneous student "borrowing" to emulate the similar Punahou tradition at Rocky Hill (which I believe is on school property and most certainly not readily visible from off campus).

The Kaiser community can develop its own unique traditions. It need not continue to celebrate some other school's tradition.

Where is Cougar pride? It has now become a community embarrassment. Restore Koko Crater to its natural state.

KAPI'OLANI PARK

NO NEED TO CHANGE CURRENT ZOO ENTRANCE

So, only three-quarters of a million people found the entrance to the Honolulu Zoo last year.

That is quite a feat when the attractive Alfred Preis entrance has been hidden and diminished by the kiosk and burial memorial and walks maze placed in front of it. These are impedimenta that didn't exist when Preis designed his remarkable, award-winning building.

The Kapi'olani Park, as most open park areas, has been under continual attack by each administration to add or change some feature — not that they need "fixing" but just to satisfy an administration's edifice complex — the need to leave monuments.

The present entrance is suitably located and accessible to two parking lots.

For more than 40 years, the entrance has served well, and I see no need for change to something that isn't broken.

REMEMBRANCE

JUDGE JOHN LIM WAS BOTH INTELLIGENT, CARING

I, too, would like to add my remembrance of Judge John Lim, not as an adult, but as a high school senior.

Intelligence is limited without compassion, and John had both.

As president of the Key Club at Farrington High School, John initiated a tutorial program to benefit the students of Kalihi Kai Elementary School. Every week, 100 students from Farrington would trek the long block to work with them.

To have the awareness, foresight, motivation and compassion to institute such a program, at such a young age, indicated to me an exceptional person, who put himself out there to help others.

MAHALO

APPRECIATION SHOWN FOR SERVICE TO COUNTRY

On June 5, dressed in uniform, I took my wife to California Pizza Kitchen at Pearlridge for lunch.

When I asked for the check the waiter told me that my bill had been taken care of by another customer.

When I thanked the gentleman who paid our bill he thanked me for serving our country.

This brought tears to our eyes. We wanted to express our sincerest gratitude.

LUXURY HOMES

NO WONDER LOCALS ARE MOVING TO MAINLAND

No wonder so many locals are moving to the Mainland. Luxury condos in town, luxury retirement home in Kapolei aimed toward the wealthy, condos being erected where there were once affordable rentals in Kailua and new subdivisions targeting the wealthy.

A lot of these luxury subdivision developers have the nerve to say that they're targeting people who do not live in our state. What a shame!

What has become of our island? Progress? I don't think so.

Progress does not alienate one group of people and cater to another.

There are only two groups of people now living in Hawai'i — the wealthy and the rest.

Wake up, politicians. Do something. Where is the affordable housing that was promised to the local people of Hawai'i? Or has your vision been clouded by this so-called "progress"?

ALOHA SPIRIT

TOTAL STRANGERS RESCUE TWO WOMEN FROM FIRE

I would like to thank the brave group of young men from Waimanalo who were driving by and realized that there was a fire at my mom's house a few nights ago.

They stopped their red truck and asked if anyone was in the house. They were total strangers, but when I told them my mom and her friend were in the back and I couldn't get to them because of the flames, two of them (one named Pedro) jumped down a 9-foot wall, ran around the burning house and found the two women with my son, who just arrived, and led my mom and her friend to the back of the property and safety.

They then used their cell phone to call and let everyone above know that the women were safe.

They are heroes and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

It's wonderful to see that the spirit of aloha is alive and well in those folks from Waimanalo.

TOURISM

HAWAI'I RESIDENTS NEED LESSONS ON MANNERS

We decided to take our three children to Hawai'i on vacation.

My husband and I were last there 15 years ago. We visited Maui and Honolulu this time.

Hawai'i is a beautiful place, but one thing we all noticed was that a lot of people we dealt with were rude.

I can only imagine how difficult it must be dealing with the large number of tourists, but tourism is a huge part of Hawai'i's income.

In addition to building up the sites to attract the tourists, I would think that they should also offer lessons on manners.