TRANSIT

CITY PAYS NO ATTENTION TO WARNINGS ABOUT RAIL

The city's cockamamie planning for a rail corridor to 'Ewa is beginning to irritate me.

Here is Cliff Slater telling us from day one that rail is not going to get the projected ridership and will not ease traffic congestion in the proposed corridor. The city and its planners pay absolutely no attention.

The amount of money the city must come up with is, depending on your point of view, big, very big, huge, massive, even colossal. To squander our resources and our credit on such a scale is bereft of sense.

If, as Cliff Slater says, rail has not worked in other cities, it is not going to work here, either.

If Parsons Brinkerhoff says rail will diminish traffic by 10 percent, we must also take note of their figures that predict a 30 percent increase in population and housing near the rail corridor.

That will cancel the benefit of rail, and worsen traffic. Ridership makes or breaks this project, so we cannot just invent ridership and benefit figures. That is plain daft. We have to get the figures right.

TRAFFIC

TOLL ROADS WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE CONGESTION

I have been wondering for years why Honolulu has never entertained the idea of toll roads.

Many Mainland cities and states have beautiful toll roads that alleviate congestion, are well-maintained and use an electronic reader so you don't have to stop to pay.

We should do that here. It would be far cheaper to build, especially if private-public partnerships are used, and the tolls would pay for maintenance, freeing up taxpayer money to pay for enhanced bus service. You can use existing rights of way by building toll roads as viaducts.

Rail is not the way to go. It will cost billions to build, billions to maintain, won't be sustained by fares and will be used only by people already using the bus.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN

AKAKA BILL IS RACIST, WILL CAUSE DISSENSION

On Sept. 29, The Advertiser reported that both Gov. Linda Lingle and her opponent, Randall Iwase, stated that they support and will work toward passage of the Akaka bill.

Sen. Dan Akaka and his supporters stated that the Akaka bill is not racist. But it is racist because of wording that defines "Native Hawaiian" as "an individual who is one of the indigenous, native people of Hawai'i who is a direct lineal descendent of the aboriginal, native people." This means that only those who have at least 1 percent Hawaiian blood can be a citizen of the Hawaiian government and entitled to all benefits afforded to its citizens.

Racial prejudice within a society causes injustice, disharmony and social conflicts. It leads to unequal distribution of power, prestige, benefits or material wealth in society.

If the Akaka bill passes, the majority of Hawai'i's citizens who are not Native Hawaiians will incur an increased financial burden in having to pay for the cost of operations and various programs of four governments — the federal, state, counties and a racial Native Hawaiian government. This racist bill can be the spark that will cause great dissension within our state.

HOMELESS CHILDREN

STATE BUDGET SURPLUS SHOULD GO TO HOUSING

The Advertiser's report, "Homeless get happy birthday" (Oct. 1) could have been entitled: "Let them eat cake."

Rather than cake, why not provide affordable homes with the help of the $700 million state budget surplus? Isn't that what Gov. Linda Lingle claimed last winter: a $700 million surplus?

Only a photo op with homeless children at a monthly birthday party tends to garner more votes when no one remembers the $700 million surplus. Such is politics.

NEGATIVE IMPACT

NEW TURTLE BAY HOTELS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED

Are we comatose? All of us, be it Hawaiian, haole, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, or any other ethnic background who live in Hawai'i, have pride, aloha for this 'aina, our home. We have a stake in its future. We know the injustices that have happened throughout Hawaiian history, where the people were taken advantage of. It's imperative that we don't let history repeat itself.

We are letting hotel developers play a game of economic terrorism with us, "No hotel, no jobs." We cannot allow them to hold us hostage. The hotels that Turtle Bay Resort has planned present more problems than solutions.

If they are allowed, we will have failed to ensure the quality of life that future generations deserve. Wouldn't it be more sensible to address issues that already threaten this rural community?

We should applaud those who have the courage to say "'a'ole" to developers who bring negative impact, not only to this community, but to the entire state of Hawai'i.

'AINA HAINA

RESIDENTS WANT HELP FROM OFFICIALS OF CITY

Thank you for covering the proposal to build condominiums on the steep hillside above 'Aina Haina Elementary School (Oct. 4). What is happening in 'Aina Haina can happen anywhere in Hawai'i. Developer (Kent Untermann) buys land and has the right to build. Developer plans project with city for 18 months and applies for permit. Most of the community finds out six weeks before the permit review deadline by reading the paper.

Isn't it obvious we need a better way? Property owners have a right to build, but the city has the responsibility of oversight to ensure residents' safety. We have serious concerns about how Untermann's project can affect the stability of the hillside above school, the harm to children's learning and health, and irreversible destruction of the beauty of our valley and character of our neighborhood.

Two community meetings have been held with total attendance of 300 people expressing serious safety concerns about the project. However, the city could not attend because of budget constraints. Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Councilman Charles Djou, Department of Planning and Permitting: we count on your help. Where are you?

CELEBRATION

GLBT HISTORY MONTH IS MARKED IN OCTOBER

October is GLBT History Month, a concept founded in the 1990s by teachers and community leaders. Just as we have Black History Month and Women's History Month to focus on the accomplishments and stories of courageous gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals who've persevered in the face of discrimination, this month the public is encouraged to learn about inspiring role models and a community whose stories are often overlooked or misunderstood.

In Hawai'i and across Polynesia, GLBT people have a proud history of strengthening families and protecting community traditions. From assisting with child care, to teaching chant and hula, they have demonstrated they are part of all of our families. Today, GLBT folks here continue to strengthen families, by becoming foster parents, getting married in places like Canada and Massachusetts, and working toward creating safer schools.

Everyone can be proud of the thousands of gay and lesbian service members who daily put their lives on the line for America, yet do not receive equal treatment from the U.S. government.

I invite everyone to learn more about GLBT history at www .glbthistorymonth.com. For information about local GLBT resources, events and activities visit www.thecenterhawaii.org or call us at (808) 545-2848.

KING KAMEHAMEHA

AD 'INSULT' REMINDS OF CARTOON CONTROVERSY

The shrill screech of "outrage" over the depiction of King Kamehameha I holding a glass of champagne is quite peculiar since Kamehameha I enjoyed drinking. Those who pretend to interpret the likes and dislikes of our forebears should tread carefully as they usually have little basis for their opinions.

The perceived insult over this advertisement is all too similar to the recent controversy surrounding the cartoons of Mohammed and the subsequent attempts to stifle free speech by intimidation.

Does anyone seriously think that a picture of George Washington holding a glass of champagne would raise an eyebrow of the staunchest Daughter of the American Revolution? Let's not forget that Kamehameha II eliminated the kapu system and made it permissible to gaze upon the ali'i — with or without glass in hand.

ELECTION 2006

STATE CONTINUES TO SINK BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATS

This is in response to the letter by Daniel Laraway (Oct. 4), in which he opines "Republicans have led us on a losing streak." Well, I'm not sure which Republicans he is speaking about, but for the last 40 years the Democrats have had control of the state of Hawai'i, and what do we have to show for it: the highest gas prices in the nation, the highest rents in the nation, some of the poorest schools in the nation and almost zero accountability for any decision made by a politician.

They will voice displeasure and place blame on a Republican governor, but place no blame at all on the state Legislature.

Also, we have two news sources that both are biased toward the Democrats, as evidenced by the lack of comment on Sen. Dan Akaka's refusal to debate the Republican candidate.

So, Mr. Laraway, vote for Dan Akaka and Mazie Hirono, but do not complain when this state continues to sink.