ALAKAI

SUPERFERRY, STATE BOTH MADE POOR DECISIONS

Regarding Tom Fujikawa's letter (Oct. 2) on the state's poor decision in exempting the Superferry from an environmental impact statement:

The state isn't the only entity that made poor decisions. Hawaii Superferry started building the first ferry eight months before the state Department of Transportation erroneously granted an exemption from an EIS.

HSF took a chance and it lost when the Hawai'i Supreme Court ruled that an EIS "is a matter of law."

County councils on three islands passed resolutions requesting an EIS be prepared; still HSF refused to do the right thing.

So to think that Hawaii Superferry should be bailed out is crazy. As for the $40 million for harbor improvements, that's a consequence of HSF's poor decision.

Why should the taxpayer get left holding the bag? Why do individual citizens have to pay to hold our government and private corporations accountable?

Legal fees on Maui and Kaua'i are costing tens of thousands and are being paid by contributions from people all over Hawai'i and the nation — some as little as $5. The state has already made one huge blunder; let's not compound it by making a second.

TOUGH-LOVE DISCIPLINE NEEDED IN FERRY FRACAS

When children act with selfish, disrespectful manners and disregard for their own good, the family's benefit and the community's interest, what are parents to do? Apply some old-fashion discipline for an immediate, positive result for the sake of all involved.

Will children warmly receive discipline? No.

Will parents enjoy executing discipline? I never did.

Perhaps this illustration falls short, but it reminds me of what's occurring and should happen with respect to some individuals and the Superferry.

The children are members of our 'ohana who have demonstrated a propensity for lawlessness, headstrong irrationality, and a complete lack of aloha, which has resulted in bringing shame on themselves, Kauaians, and Hawai'i.

Clearly, our elected representatives and Gov. Linda Lingle need to carry through with some tough-love decisions to rein in and discipline the egotistical attitudes and uncivilized behaviors of some spoiled, fractious children.

They may not like it, but it will be for their own future well-being and will bring much-needed healing and aloha to those unnecessarily caught in this childish, schoolyard fracas.

UH WARRIORS

WHY MUST FOOTBALL PLAYERS SHOWBOAT?

This year, the University of Hawai'i is blessed with a great football team.

What more can we say about Colt Brennan? The team is nationally ranked and the whole country has taken notice.

Why is it then that some players must showboat by diving or somersaulting into the end zone when scoring a touchdown?

As Hawai'i plays a more difficult schedule, one of these 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties may mean a loss rather than a win.

Shouldn't Coach Jones be teaching the rules of the game?

UH'S WEAK SCHEDULE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

The University of Hawai'i's rise in the college football polls is due to default and the losses by football powerhouses.

UH has not played anyone ranked in the Top 25, but creeps its way up because one team right above them loses to a ranked team.

If UH had to play in the PAC 10 and endure the great teams of the Big 10 and Big 12, UH would not make it to where it is today.

UH's schedule will never be like that of USC, which hasn't lost a game but dropped in the AP poll. Yet, UH, which has not played a ranked team this season keeps rising. It doesn't make sense. UH's schedule should be taken into account.

LET'S DO AWAY WITH BOOING OPPONENTS

For some time, I have been distressed to hear the considerable smattering of boos at University of Hawai'i games as opponents take the field.

It is hard enough to get quality opponents to travel here to play (witness this year's schedule), so why can't we show some modest aloha?

In that regard, I have a suggestion. Several years ago, a fan stood in the south end zone seats and began rubbing his hands together, humming loudly until people started noticing. He got some fans in the area to start doing the same thing until it built to a crescendo, whereupon he got the crowd to make one large, loud clap.

I suggest we get Vili, our Warrior representative, to involve the entire stadium in doing the same thing when the opposing team prepares to take the field.

It's not applauding them or booing them, it's just acknowledging their guts to come play us.

INTERISLAND TRAVEL

SOON IT'LL BE CHEAPER JUST TO GO TO VEGAS

Here we go again. First the Superferry, now the airlines.

If the cost of interisland airline tickets returns to pre-go! levels, local people of moderate household income and below will not be able to travel interisland to visit family and enjoy the amenities the Neighbor Islands can offer.

If this happens, the Maui and Kaua'i protesters against the Superferry should really be happy, because residents of O'ahu, as well as the Big Island, will not be coming to your islands to visit anymore.

Oops, I forgot, you will not be able to afford to fly interisland yourself. But then, you don't visit the other islands anyway, right?

This will only mean it really will be more cost-effective to go to Vegas.