LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON GAMBLING ISSUE

Once more, we hear a bit about getting gambling discussions in our Legislature. Gambling — that dirty word! Every so often in all the years I've lived here, we get the subject arising with our political body. Now, it is brought up with our economy's downslide.

I've been to Vegas and have seen our citizens — a good portion — senior ones, who have to endure a flight so they can get to gamble. They come in wheelchairs, walkers, even on crutches to get a form of enjoyment that is not available here. How about saving these folks a long trip to the Mainland by approving gambling in our state? Do our politicians know that Vegas makes more than a billion dollars in one year?

We already have hotels that could accommodate this enterprise. I've had tourists ask me how come we don't have gambling, so the argument that it would stop them from coming is void. If our legislative body is afraid of the subject, how about putting it to a vote for our people of this state to decide "yes" or "no" ? Let's get this on the ballot before this session is over.

HAWAII SUPERFERRY

JUSTIFICATION FIASCO A LOSS FOR THOUSANDS

An old saying says it best: "The end justifies the means." But there's also the flip side: "The means justify the end." Any way you look at it, forward or backward, right side up or upside down, the Superferry fiasco — and that's exactly what it is — is a classic example of both our private and public sectors getting lost and entangled in the justification process.

Disregard the winners or losers, the real losers are the hundreds of thousands of us and visitors to Hawai'i who could have and should have benefited by the first Big Idea in years to bring our island communities together. Now, unfortunately, it just seems: "The end means the end."

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WE'RE LOSERS

I have followed the Superferry's trials and tribulations, and have been saddened as I watched one side pitted against the other. Where was the aloha; where was the spirit of understanding and cooperation?

Despite not having completed a formal environmental impact statement, Hawaii Superferry went the extra mile to listen to the communities and addressed their concerns. Unfortunately, this was not enough for its foes.

Now the Hawai'i Supreme Court has declared a winner; but who are the losers? The losers are us, the people. We have lost an alternative means of interisland travel.

Many businesses have lost a cheaper, quicker means of moving produce and product between O'ahu and Maui. We have added another 200-plus people to the unemployment rolls. We have lost another tax-paying business. We have thrown away $40 million in tax dollars for harbor improvements that were done for the ferry.

We have again proved the adage that Hawai'i is a terrible place to attempt to establish a business that provides good-paying jobs to its residents. What good will the loss of the Superferry bring to Hawai'i?

POTHOLES

KING STREET BUS RIDE FEELS LIKE ATV RIDE

Auwe, the time has come for me to speak up and hopefully something can be done about the right lane on King Street Honolulu-bound. I chose to ride TheBus because of the convenience, increase my savings account by $75 per month, having fun with bus friends to share kolohe stories and most of all enjoying the sites of Hawai'i nei.

I highly suggest that whoever is in charge take a ride on TheBus on the right lane on King Street at 6 a.m. The buses hit every pothole, and if you don't have an injured back, you will have one in the near future. I feel like I am riding in an all-terrain vehicle on the slopes of Mauna Kea.

I don't know what else to say but strongly feel this needs immediate attention.

LEGISLATOR RAISES

LET REPRESENTATIVES KNOW HOW YOU FEEL

No pay raises for politicians!

I agree with Lee Cataluna's March 22 column, where she writes: "Can you believe they're (our elected officials) still stubbornly holding on to those pay raises?! Even now?!" Amen to that!

The common citizen of Hawai'i understands why elected officials shouldn't be getting pay raises these days. Especially when those same officials are right now looking for taxes to raise. I hope they know that anger and distrust will continue to sprout from the common citizens as they hear of any such raises. Those people will make their feelings known well before and at election time.

I have two ideas, citizens of Hawai'i: Call your elected representatives and tell them how you feel about higher taxes and pay raises for elected officials. You can find their office numbers at: http://hawaii.gov/lrb/dir/dir.pdf.

Also, please support Senate Bill 221, legislation which "requires commission on salaries to conduct a public hearing on O'ahu." I like the sound of that; see how the people of Hawai'i feel about these salary increases.

To all elected officials: The people of Hawai'i are struggling. Will you struggle with us? Or will you live like royalty while the serfs carry your burdens for you?

PROPERTY TAX

$10 MORE PER MONTH IS A LOT, CONSIDERING

Mayor Hannemann tells us that his proposed property tax increases are only $10 more per month and "about the cost of one movie, eight steamed manapua or one bento lunch" (Hot Seat, March 22).

Our property taxes have gone up every year since 2004, when he became mayor, either through property value increases, tax rate increases or a combination of the two. Ten dollars more per month means that it is on top of all the increases over the last four years. So while property values are decreasing and property taxes should be, too, we are going to keep our current taxes and increase them by $120 per year, about 10 percent more for the average homeowner.

As for what I would do with the $120 a year in increased taxes, maybe once in awhile I would like to treat myself to what he condescendingly thinks it costs for a movie, manapua or a bento lunch. Or maybe I can use it to offset the $450-per-year GET increase for the mayor's rail system.