HARBIN

TOO MANY DARK CLOUDS OVERHEAD

I am amazed at the ego and arrogance displayed by Bev Harbin. This woman apparently has neither the trust nor confidence of the public or her newly adopted Democratic Party. She has a criminal past (about which she kept secret), has avoided paying her taxes, and does not know how to work and play well with others.

This is not the person I would ever want to represent me. She has too many dark clouds over her to be able to represent the people of Kaka'ako district, the main ones being that the people want her out, the party wants her out, and the governor wants her out. She doesn't seem to care about that. How much more clear a message does she need? She's far more a liability than an asset.

Let's do what it takes to remove her and put someone more worthy in that office.

APPLY SALARY TO DEBT

Here's the way to get Harbin to resign her newly acquired House seat. The state should withhold her salary for this position and apply it to her tax obligations.

Surely, the state has the authority to do this. Ms. Harbin would undoubtedly resign from the position as she obviously does not want to pay her debt to the state. It's a win-win situation — she's out or we taxpayers get some of our money back!

URBANIZATION

NORTH SHORE LIFESTYLE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

As a student of Waialua High School and a North Shore resident, it scares me to think of how in less than two years Sunset Beach's shoreline view has been blocked. Local fisherman who rely on fishing or diving have no access to the best or favorite spot.

We try so hard to keep our endangered animals alive that we forget about our residents and how we or our neighbors may be the next to have to move because someone wants that land for themselves. We soon become used to Mokeule'ia pollution and worry less about it because it is no longer in the public's hands.

I want to live here the rest of my life along with future generations of my family. As a proud North Shore chick, I hope that this will not be a site for urbanization, but a loving and caring environment that newcomers like Mainlanders will respect.

"We've got to keep the country, country." (Humble Soul)

FEMA

WILL DEMOCRATS RISE TO FIGHT COMPLACENCY?

When so much has gone wrong in the response to Hurricane Katrina and the Bush administration has clearly demonstrated its inability to adequately staff and fund essential federal agencies, one has to ask, "What's the alternative?"

Apparently, it's not the Democrats.

After a brief series of statements on FEMA's problems, the minority party has completely lost focus. Instead of demanding accountability, it has become absorbed in other issues. Where's the follow-through?

Where are the consequences for criminal incompetence and undermining vital national services? The news media have shown FEMA director Michael Chertoff was asleep at the wheel and perhaps even more culpable than scapegoat Michael Brown. The agency's top positions remain staffed with political hacks and cronies with no expertise in managing disasters. Yet, after an initial outburst, there are no cries for resignations by the opposition party in Congress.

As an expatriate local, I'm curious to see how Hawai'i's strong Democratic tradition will stand up to this test on a national stage. Will Inouye, Akaka, Abercrombie and Case step forward and demand changes and accountability or return to business as usual?

YMCA PROGRAM

THANKS TO 'AUNTY LEE' FOR INSPIRING FAMILIES

Mahalo, Lee Cataluna, for giving Communities in School-Hi Project of YMCA 'ohana precious time.

Her genuineness to help us promote our community production "Hole in the World" was inspiring.

Our people ages 7 to kupuna shared from the heart. She put us at ease. A dinner of cold pizza and salad was all we offered.

She encouraged this band of first-time actors. Coming from someone who has accomplished much, it left them believing that they will make a difference Friday night.

At CIS we say it is a place "where 'ohana is more than a word." Lee Cataluna is now "Aunty" Lee to our keiki and 'opio. It extends their net of support in a chaotic world. It endorses our teaching that Hawai'i is a gift to all who live here.

Mahalo nui loa, Aunty Lee. You and all the others who have given so generously of their time will be part of our production.

This is how we fill up the "Holes in the World."