IRAQ WAR

FLAGS SHOULD BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF FOR TROOPS

The recent shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech was a tragedy, and the nation responded by numerous acts of mourning, including flying the flag at half-staff.

Many of the men and women in our armed forces who are fighting and dying in Iraq are the same age as those students killed at Virginia Tech.

The young men and women in uniform who have been killed in Iraq are equally valued. And, as the Virginia Tech students, those lives were tragically and unnecessarily lost.

I propose that flags continue to be flown at half-staff until all our troops have left Iraq. That gesture will show the gratitude of this nation to our troops dying on the field of battle.

Gov. Linda Lingle should order the state flag lowered for the duration of the Iraq war.

Our members of Congress should propose a law to order the same for U.S. flags nationwide.

O'AHU ROADS

WHERE HAVE OUR TAXES GONE? NOT TO REPAVING

Where are all our tax dollars going? We're getting gouged in taxes, yet there is no urgency to accelerate repair work on our highways.

I don't mind paying taxes, even higher taxes, as long as I see an improvement.

Sure, there's been a small paving job here and there, but with the city real property tax revenues exploding, you would expect work on our highways to increase proportionately.

Are our government leaders dragging their feet to make rail look much more attractive than navigating our Third World streets?

The state is reported to have a surplus. What is it doing with our money? Waiting for the H-1 Freeway in Pearl City to crumble to the ground? The potholes on the concrete surface of the freeway look so deep, you can probably see right through to the street below.

The state can close highways like H-3 and Likelike every other month for maintenance, yet it can't even repave the asphalt sections on the H-1 and H-2 freeways.

REVITALIZE KALIHI? LET'S FIX AREA ROADWAYS FIRST

The city is proposing a "revitalization" for Kalihi ("Planning Kalihi revitalization," April 18).

I suggest the city fix the potholes and Third World-type patched roads.

It's a challenge for Kalihi-Palama drivers to negotiate the patches and potholes and avoid hitting a pedestrian or each other.

REAL PROPERTY

HOW OFTEN DOES CITY TAX ON INFLATED VALUES?

In January, I submitted an appeal to the Real Property Assessment Division along with a $25 check and evidence to argue the inflated value of my property.

I won my case and was notified that the property value of my unit at Kumelewai Court in Mililani would be reduced along with my property tax.

How the original value was determined was not explained. I was told five of my neighbors filed appeals.

Everyone else in my subdivision with a home the same square footage as mine must pay the property taxes based on the original inflated value, even though the Real Property Assessment Division knows that the value is wrong based on my appeal.

Not everyone has the time, money or inclination to "fight City Hall," and it seems to me that my neighbors should automatically have their taxes reduced.

How often does this kind of thing happen? Is this how the coffers are filled — by taxing us on inflated values and expecting only minimal resistance?

VIRGINIA SHOOTING

VIOLENCE IN MEDIA IS A PERVASIVE INFLUENCE

In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shooting, people are asking why and pointing fingers.

One of the influences that the American people need to look at is our culture's fascination with violence in the entertainment industry.

What we see on TV, in movies and video games has become more extreme since the 1980s.

TV crime shows depict horrible crimes each week. People (including children) stand in line to watch movies filled with violence. Our children play violent fantasy video games with sophisticated graphics.

No one can deny the power of the media to influence. We would be fooling ourselves if we thought that violence in the entertainment industry has no effect.

The influence is subtle, gradual and happens over the long-term. Now we are paying the price.

MILILANI

SWIM GROUP SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE POOL

My husband and I are appalled and outraged over the Mililani swimming pool issue.

The Aloha Aquatics Association has been using the Mililani pool for 30 years.

The use of this pool is helping to keep these kids out of trouble, and also helping them with physical fitness.

Most pools are open 12 hours a day. These kids are using this pool 12 hours a week, Monday through Friday, leaving this pool available the entire weekend for the association and its members.

The association has five other pools — maybe it should heat another pool?

Please let these kids keep this kind of safe and active lifestyle.

WASTEWATER

ADVANCED PRIMARY TREATMENT DOES WORK

John Katahira, president of the Hawai'i Water Environment Association, hit the nail on the head in his letter ("No evidence upgrade will improve water," April 11).

Honouliuli and Sand Island wastewater treatment plants both are considered advanced primary treatment plants that treat wastewater to levels just beyond primary treatment.

Even though Honouliuli treats a percentage to secondary and tertiary, most of Honouliuli's operations are advanced primary treatment.

Results from the Mamala Bay Study show currents generally flow from the northerly direction to the south; therefore, effluent discharged by Honouliuli will be quickly dispersed and diluted.

The Environmental Protection Agency's findings show degradation of the area near the outfall, which may be the result of other activities in the area, including construction runoff.

Advanced primary treatment does work and has worked in many areas throughout the world.

Expensive upgrades aren't necessary, and only rob the citizens of O'ahu because of higher sewer fees.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

RESERVATIONS 'VOICE' SOON TO BE OVERSEAS

I've worked at Hawaiian Airlines for 19 years. The company has been very good to me. I've bought a place of my own, helped put children through school, had medical coverage, traveled for free to many places, met a lot of wonderful people.

I, in turn, have been good to the hand that fed me. I've given up a pension plan in lieu of a 401(k) plan, I've given up vacation, sick leave and wage increases in my 19 years with the company. That's what a family does. You give so all can survive.

Last year, the company decided that it needed to find ways to remain competitive. The answer was to outsource jobs.

So many other companies across the country have been doing it with paramount results. Soon, the Philippines will be the voice of our reservations department. Many of the dedicated reservations people will be displaced. The company has offered job alternatives and a buyout package, which we should be grateful for.

The other day as I walked down the hall, I saw one of the reservations agents down the hall.

I wished I had had a camera with me. I knew in a couple of weeks I'd never see that image again. It made me sad.

COMMUTING

MASS-TRANSIT ROUTE WON'T BENEFIT MAJORITY

It's obvious there are too many cars for this island to handle. But is mass transit the solution?

Building a train that is reliable, safe and fast seems like an economical solution. But why spend billions of dollars on something that won't benefit the majority willing to use it, not to mention disrupting traffic for years to come?

Even more, the new mass-transit system won't come near the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, which has 20,000 students. The City Council decided to end the route at Ala Moana Center. Who do they think works in the shops? Who fills the walkways of the mall? Are the cars clogging the streets of our cities owned by workers and students, or tourists?

With this mass-transit system, car-owning adults will still be driving to work. Thousands of students will continue commuting to classes every morning, all the while getting angrier at our multi-billion-dollar project that's causing more headache than help.

RECENT CRASH

ASKS BLUE ANGELS VISITS TO HAWAI'I BE CALLED OFF

The Navy recently announced a Hawai'i visit by the Blue Angels flying team.

On April 21, a Blue Angels jet crashed while the team was flying over Beaufort, S.C. A Washington Post report indicated that the tragic crash sent a fireball and debris into a populated area, setting mobile homes and vehicles afire.

During the last Blue Angels exhibition here, Kane'ohe residents were shocked to see these pilots repeatedly flying at less than 400 feet over heavily populated areas.

The Navy was willing to create needless risks for residents to promote public interest in Navy aviation.

According to the Washington Post, since the formation of the aerial team in 1946, 24 Blue Angels pilots have died in flying accidents.

We all appreciate the sacrifices that our service personnel make on our behalf, but for the safety of these pilots and local residents, we would like the Navy to call off any further Blue Angels visits.