SUPERFERRY

MAHALO TO STAFF FOR THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to take the Superferry to Maui with a group of senior citizens; I was escorting an 86-year-old friend in a wheelchair. It was an incredible experience to see the beauty of the Islands from the vantage point of the Superferry.

The seating was comfortable, the snacks from the snack bar were 'ono and the view unparalleled. I want to commend the Superferry staff and administration for all of the fantastic accommodations they provided to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone in our group.

Many in our group have mobility issues and were not able to walk the distance from the passenger terminal to the loading deck of the Superferry.

The Superferry staff transported us in a van equipped with a wheelchair lift and assisted us in boarding. Once safely on board, the staff continually checked on us and made sure we were all doing OK.

The Superferry offers a mode of transportation that takes the needs of the passenger into consideration. Be it safely transporting a group of tutus or a family with a carload of party supplies for baby's first lu'au, Hawai'i needs the Superferry. Let's keep it sailing!

POWER OUTAGE

HECO'S REFUSAL TO BURY WA'AHILA LINES COST US

I couldn't e-mail this yesterday (Jan. 24) due to a power failure! Lately there's been a flurry of letters laying blame for HECO's massive electrical outage at the feet of environmentalists. They're charged with defeating the proposed Wa'ahila Ridge O'ahu grid extension, thereby (indirectly) causing the recent islandwide blackout.

In fact, and if memory serves me, environmentalists' objections were not with the power lines per se, but with the 100-foot towers HECO wanted to erect. Concerned citizens counter-proposed putting the cables underground. But rather than accommodate the public's wishes and bury the lines, HECO simply took its marbles and went home.

So, who's at fault here — tree-hugging wackos, or a corporate monopoly intent on having its way? It seems likely that lightning strikes to overhead power lines precipitated the recent day-long down-time. So, may I point out that overhead lines are sitting ducks for lightning and high winds. Underground ones are not. HECO may have saved some cash by refusing to bury the Wa'ahila lines, but that decision has cost us all in the long run.

PIT BULLS

LEADERS: STOP, THINK, WATCH 'DOG WHISPERER'

After reading the current article concerning the quest to ban the pit bull breed I felt compelled to comment. Do the lawmakers sit down and put any thought into the force of this bill? Before they decide to introduce a bill such as this, they need to understand that they are holding the breed responsible for the action of one (dog's) action and are not looking at the irresponsible owner.

We are regressing with this type of impulsive reasoning and action. They all need to watch episodes of "The Dog Whisperer," maybe they could learn what it takes to be a dog owner and the responsibilities that come with it. Punish the owner, not the dog.

HOMELESS

LET'S SOLVE PROBLEM AND NOT PASS THE BUCK

State Rep. Rida Cabanilla's idea about sending Hawai'i's homeless to the Mainland on one-way tickets is a bad idea. In the early '80s, state welfare officials complained to me that Florida was sending some of its welfare recipients to Hawai'i on one-way tickets. I called Florida's attorney general and stopped it.

What goes around comes around. We have a lot more to lose trying to solve the homeless problem by putting it in someone else's backyard. There are a lot more homeless on the Mainland, especially those in the cold northern states who could be sent here in retaliation.

Let's solve the problem and not just try and pass the buck.