POLICE SAFETY

MAHALO FOR CONCERN; VESTS BEING REPLACED

The men and women of the Honolulu Police Department take pride in their work, and I am proud of their admirable performance during the blackout on Dec. 26 and 27. Officer safety is a priority, and we appreciate Mr. Risher's concern ("Vests needed for HPD traffic officers' safety," Letters, Jan. 5) for our officers who direct and manage traffic whenever and wherever they are needed.

The department has purchased neon green safety vests made of highly visible, reflective material and is currently in the process of replacing the old vests.

The HPD appreciates the support from the citizens of our community.

HEALTHY START

PROGRAM'S LIFE-SAVING IMPACT OVERLOOKED

As a former clinical manager of the Healthy Start program in East Hawai'i at YWCA of Hawai'i Island and at Family Support Services of West Hawai'i for six years, I saw firsthand the positive impact of this program on thousands of the most vulnerable families of our island.

Whatever data the state Department of Health is using to conclude that the program doesn't work is irrelevant and erroneous. There is no way that statistical data can measure the positive impact of a caring home visitor coming into the home of a struggling family, sometimes as the only positive supportive person in these families' lives. I've seen women rescued from abusive situations. I've seen men stop substance use and step up to being there. I've seen parents learning to read their babies' cues and using positive discipline rather than yell at or hit their kids. I've seen families set and accomplish meaningful goals for themselves instead of just live in the moment. I've seen parents get off welfare and find work. I've seen children with early learning disabilities have them resolved prior to entering the school system. Contact your legislators so they will keep this program for our state's families.

HISTORIC AREA

LUXURY DEVELOPMENT WILL TRAMPLE MAKENA

Not far from the hustle and bustle of Kihei Town is another place altogether known as Makena. It could be one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in Hawai'i if not the world. A mile long and 100 yards wide at points, the beach is set against a backdrop of native forest. It is magnificent Maui. The Makena area is home to endangered sea life and flora, exceptional scenic beauty, superlative public recreation, rich cultural and historic significance.

Makena is the sanctuary ancient Hawaiians journeyed to for spiritual renewal. Makena's coastal area was once made up of four traditional land divisions, or ahupua'a. The area was one of the most populated and farmed regions on Maui. Hawaiians inhabited the region for more than 1,000 years before the arrival of Europeans.

Makena has 550 archaeological sites containing thousands of features, according to the book "Project Kaeo: The Challenge to Preserve Cultural Landscapes in Modern Makena" by Lucienne de Naie and Theresa Donham.

Unfortunately, Makena is threatened by 800 multimillion-dollar luxury homes to be developed by Morgan Stanley. The exclusive gated community will trample over spiritual and historic land. Once the ground is scraped clean, people can never go back.

ETHANOL

RESIDENTS SHOULD BE FREE TO USE OTHER FUELS

Why is fuel free from ethanol not available in Hawai'i except at marinas? Yes, I understand there is a class action lawsuit that boaters have filed against the state because of the real safely issue of boats breaking down offshore due to ethanol-based fuel. But what about the rest of us? What about farmers, golf courses, contractors and grounds maintenance divisions/companies, all of which use small two- and four-cycle engines that routinely fail when using ethanol-based fuel? What about all the folks who do their own yard work?

Everything I have read about ethanol is negative. It costs more to produce than pure gasoline, it's not as efficient, and it's driving worldwide corn prices up and thus taking food right out of people's mouths. The only apparent benefits are to the industrialists who are paid hefty federal subsidies to build ethanol plants and to large agricultural concerns who not only also get federal subsidies but now receive extra profits as they transform one of the world's largest food staples into a fuel. That's fine, I suppose — that's the way big business and government works, but why aren't Hawai'i citizens given a choice? It's easy to see who suffers from this but exactly who in Hawai'i does this benefit? Reducing our reliance on imported oil is a noble notion but a shibai argument as producing ethanol-based fuel uses more energy than it delivers.

Ethanol-based fuel in Hawai'i is mandated by law — perhaps those legislators who crafted this law can explain who benefits, what those benefits are, and why they have denied Hawai'i citizens the freedom to choose for themselves what fuel to use.

TURTLE BAY

GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVE WISE, COMMENDABLE

The governor should be applauded for her efforts to preserve the rural North Shore of O'ahu. Nobody said the task would be easy or quickly accomplished.

While details are few, it seems the acquisition proposals would have preserved most of the undeveloped lands, allowed the condo owners to finally buy the fee simple interest, and provided for another hotelier to buy the existing hotel operations.

Those who argue that the depressed economy overrides the need for long-range planning and preservation should know that the solution to slumping tourism is not more hotel rooms.

In the long run, preserving the natural beauty and low density of the North Shore is in everyone's interest. Kawela Bay and the rural North Shore are still worth fighting to preserve.