SUPERB TEAM

FIRST RESPONDERS MERIT PRAISE FOR FLOOD ACTION

It is with great comfort that I watched as our state's first responders were on the scene instantaneously responding to the recent O'ahu and Kaua'i flooding.

Brave policemen, firemen, and EMT technicians displayed communication, cooperation and a coordinated response to the flooding that was textbook.

Gov. Lingle and other elected officials provided engaged and concerned leadership, while allowing our outstanding National Guard team led by Maj. Gen. Lee and civil defense officials to do their job.

Clearly, we have a superb emergency response team in place. Lucky we live Hawai'i.

'ACTS OF GOD'

STOP BLAME GAME ON RESERVOIR TRAGEDY

The recent weather events on Kaua'i are indeed a tragedy for all residents of the island.

Upon watching the news reports, Gov. Lingle stated that the landowners have the responsibility of upkeep for the dam and reservoirs on their property.

Where does the state come into play on keeping records and investigating each and every dam or reservoir for erosion? I'm sure there is some state office that is responsible for doing this.

Do you really think that the landowners are the sole responsible parties for this?

In all actuality, who is responsible for acts of God?

I don't think anyone could foresee the tragedy, and although we were told numerous times that heavy rains were expected, did we really look toward possible problems?

There has to be, at some point, that people don't place the blame on others and take it for what it is, an unforeseen tragedy.

We cannot fully expect to place blame every time something weather-related happens, unless it was total negligence.

UPKEEP BURDEN

USERS SHOULD PAY FOR KALOKO DAM WORK

I understand that historically most of the reservoirs in Hawai'i were built for agricultural use. However, today what are the current uses of the reservoirs?

I know that the Nu'uanu reservoir owned by the Board of Water Supply is used for drinking water, and the Wilson reservoir owned by Dole is used for agriculture.

But what is the water used for in the Kaloko reservoir? Is it used by farmers, or is it used by the County of Kaua'i for drinking?

Whatever the case, the users of the water should pay for the repair and maintenance of the dams.

If the water is not used for anything, then it should be condemned and removed for public safety. Then the landowners would not have this responsibility to bear. This should apply to all state reservoirs and dams.

DON'T FIX IT

OLD GREENWASTE SYSTEM SERVED O'AHU WELL

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! The mayor and City Council seem to have forgotten this.

The twice-a-month pickup of greenwaste in bags or bundles worked well and should be restored. Palm fronds and other branches trimmed from the trees and large bushes do not fit well in the blue bins.

We have a large yard and the grass clippings and leaves from a large mango tree and other bushes would frequently fill several blue bins. Getting the grass clippings from the mower into the blue bin can be a problem. Please, let's go back to the old system.

I have been happy with recycling newspaper, bottles and corrugated cardboard in the big container at the school. I understand the school gets some profit from this.

Buying the blue bins was a mistake made by the former mayor. They are not needed.

IT'S NOT OVER

PUBLIC MUST COMPEL RESTORATION OF TRAIL

In response to the March 15 Hokuli'a article, there is another important battle that has not yet been joined.

The makai trail system — part of the public's right-of-way established by the Kingdom's Highways Act of 1892, formerly a "stepping stone" trail — illegally "modified" by the developer, but with remnants supposedly replaced, is nowhere to be seen.

Last year, our hiking group attempted to cross the Hokuli'a development "on the trail." Because the developer's golf course has illegally made it "disappear" — this "public" trail — we tried our best, whether successful or not, to stay within the estimated confines of its actual location.

Either the state is going to uphold its responsibility to force restoration and traditional use of the trail, or users whose rights to cross currently are being hampered, or both, will have to take action.

DEVELOPMENT

HOKULI'A BREAKS RULE

How is it possible that Hokuli'a development is on agricultural land?

I thought agricultural land meant it had to be used for agricultural purposes. I thought conservation land meant it was to be conserved, not built upon. Am I just a naive Hawaiian who doesn't understand the two words?

LINGLE STANCE ON COLLECTIONS

'HOME RULE' DRIVES TAX ISSUE

Controversy sells newspapers, so perhaps Jerry Burris was just trying to help The Advertiser's bottom line with his latest column: "What's behind the tax squabble?" (March 12).

In the column, Burris tried to link Gov. Lingle's call for Mayor Hannemann and other elected officials to keep their word about the city collecting its excise tax increase with her re-election campaign.

The issue is not election-year politics, as Burris would have readers believe. The issue is, and always has been, the right of counties to make their own decisions and handle the consequences that ensue — something the governor has consistently supported for more than 20 years.

When Gov. Lingle had to determine last year whether counties would have the authority to address traffic congestion by raising taxes, she allowed Honolulu and the other counties to have that option, in keeping with her belief in "home rule."

As the former mayor of Maui, she knows firsthand the importance of this fundamental right of self-determination.

She also said at the time, and the mayor and legislative leaders agreed to support her position, that the city should collect any tax increase.

So when the city opted to hike the excise tax, it also had the responsibility to collect that tax. Legislative leaders pledged in a July 11, 2005 letter to the governor to publicly support a law requiring the city to collect the tax and the mayor agreed that his administration would work with the governor's team to make that happen.

The legislative session is half over and the bill has not been heard in the House. The mayor has been publicly silent, other than to continue saying he thinks he shouldn't have to collect the tax increase he advocated.

It is certainly understandable for the governor to remind the mayor and legislators about their public commitment to make certain that the city, not the state, collects the city tax increase.

It is important to understand that Gov. Lingle's support of home rule does not mean she favors tax hikes. The polar opposite is true. Even people with only a cursory interest in state government know that one of the governor's top initiatives this year is using a sizable portion of the budget surplus to provide tax relief — especially for low-income and middle-income residents.

If Burris wants to find some controversy to report on in his next column, perhaps he could focus on Democratic lawmakers who oppose easing the tax burden on our residents.

Hawai'i's people are among the most taxed in the nation, to the point where some welfare recipients still owe state income tax. How can that be fair?

Something has gone terribly awry when politicians are against cutting taxes at a time when Hawai'i has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, the state economy is booming and the budget surplus keeps growing. Now that's controversy!

HECO, COMMUNITY FRIENDS REV UP YEARLY CAR MARATHON

The first Electron Marathon, sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Co., was held in 1996 at Hawai'i Raceway Park with eleven electric go-carts designed and constructed by teams of high school students and their teachers.

Tomorrow, the final Electron Marathon, with teams from 33 public and private high schools, will be at Ford Island before an excited crowd of more than 3,000.

During the past 10 years, each marathon has had all the ingredients for exciting drama with cheers, agony and fierce determination.

Over the course of several months prior to the race, students learn mechanics, technology and teamwork. They put their best thinking and workmanship into practical application as they put their collective pedals to the metal.

The Electron Marathon has become a community effort, capturing the cooperation of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of Energy, Young Brothers Ltd. and Sports Club of America, with the major charge being led by Hawaiian Electric Co.

Knowing that after 10 exciting years HECO is on its final lap for the Electron Marathon, join with me in giving a well deserved mahalo and high-five to HECO and to each of the outstanding HECO volunteers who have made the marathon a safe, fun and educational event for hundreds and hundreds of students.