GEORGE WILL

EDITORIAL ON COLUMN DID NOT REBUT THE FACTS

Your Dec. 2 editorial frowns on the facts offered by George Will in his Nov. 29 Washington Post column criticizing the Akaka bill. However, it responds to them only viscerally.

You compare Sen. Daniel Akaka's bill to the corporations structured under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). There is no comparison.

Under ANCSA, eligibility for benefits for members of the 266 or so federally recognized tribes requires a minimum 25 percent Alaska Native blood quantum (46 USC 1602).

Under Akaka's bill, a tribal requirement is waived, as is a blood quantum requirement, which even prior laws applicable to Hawaiians have required. A person with 1/10 of 1 percent or less Hawaiian blood would qualify as a Native Hawaiian for purposes of the bill's applicability. All that is overreaching to the max.

Will's article was accurate, and your editorial failed to rebut its facts.

WARRIOR FOOTBALL

UH TEAM HAD RESOLVE AND COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

What a roller coaster ride — with the best and most exciting part yet to come!

From 0-12 in 1998 to 12-0 in 2007. Saimin Bowl to Sugar Bowl.

That 1998 team played many close heartbreaking games, but unfortunately will be remembered as the only winless UH football team in memory.

This 2007 season was also wrought with several edge-of- your-couch unbelievably close games.

But the team will be remembered, deservedly, for its incredible resolve, competitive "bring it on" spirit and as being undefeated champions! Congratulations to Coach Jones for always keeping a proper perspective with a quiet confidence that is found in most successful coaches.

Go Warriors! Beat the Bulldogs!

COOKE FIELD PHOTO WOULD HAVE HELPED

I am sorely disappointed in the Advertiser's Nov. 28 article on Herman Frazier.

You reported that "Frazier said he didn't understand (ESPN analyst Sean) McDonough's comments, particularly as they pertained to the practice field," and quoted Frazier as saying: "What's wrong with our practice field?"

Doesn't good journalism call for a follow-up comment from McDonough or a current picture of Cooke Field?

Cooke Field is supposed to have Field Turf. Cooke Field does not have any turf.

A discussion of the grass practice field (shared by the Warriors and dozens of other teams) and Cooke Field would also have been appropriate.

A simple picture of Cooke Field would have gone a long way toward framing McDonough's comments in the proper light.

PORT CALL

U.S. RESPONSE TO SNUB BY CHINA WAS WIMPY

As a World War II, Korea and Vietnam veteran, I was infuriated by China's latest snub of our Navy at Hong Kong after we had practically given their navy the keys to the city and all our facilities during their visit to Pearl Harbor.

The wimpy responses from our senior military officials, such as "miffed," "distressing," "troubling," "not helpful" and "we'll let the State Department handle it," tell me that our government has no intention of confronting the issue.

I don't want to start any wars, but I would bar all Chinese traffic from our ports until we got an apology. They know what side of the bread their butter is on.

HAWAIIAN AIR

WON'T FLY ON PLANES MADE OUTSIDE OF U.S.

The decision by Hawaiian Air to purchase foreign-made airplanes when the economy of our own country is rather fragile will influence my decision on which carrier I will use in the future.

WIKI WIKI

SHUTTLE DRIVERS DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE ON BUSES

I disagree with John McLeroy's Nov. 27 letter. All the complaints about the Wiki Wiki airport shuttle sadden me.

I've been working with the Wiki Wiki for years. You say that our employees force you and passengers onto the buses. That's not true. The guides at the arrival gates are with the airlines. They have nothing to do with the Wiki Wiki shuttles.

You stated that you travel to and from Southeast Asia. Then you must go through Customs here. The airline will not let you walk to Customs; it's a federal law.

Our drivers do not force passengers arriving from the Mainland on the buses. You have the option of walking.

You stated that our drivers yell at the passengers; that's also not true. You said that the buses are a disgrace and smelly. Take a look at all the buses we have, they are very old. The buses are owned by the state. If you have a complaint, you know where to send it.

To all Wiki Wiki employees, keep doing what you know best — providing services throughout Honolulu Airport. You go, Wiki!

SUPERFERRY

HARBOR RESTRICTIONS AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN

Closing practically all of Kahului Harbor for two to three hours every day to accommodate the Superferry places unreasonable restrictions on the many harbor users.

What are small boaters without a radio and paddlers who are out on the ocean and need to enter the harbor supposed to do, wait for three hours?

The restrictions that currently apply with commercial shipping — staying out of the inner turning basin while boats are entering or leaving the harbor —should also apply to the Superferry.

I have not been against the Superferry in the past. Now, when it infringes on my rights and access to the ocean and harbor, I am totally against it.

The Coast Guard and the governor should rethink their restrictions on harbor users.

VACATION RENTALS

B&B ISSUE MUST BE SOLVED SHORTLY, SMARTLY

Hawai'i needs to get its house in order concerning the B&B issue, and it must do it shortly and smartly. At least two major national and international travel magazines, Conde Nast Traveler and Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, have lengthy articles in their current issues advising potential travelers to Hawai'i of the B&B turmoil and warning of the uncertainty of finding affordable and available places to stay.

The granting of licenses is obviously a big issue. Proponents of opening the B&B licensing gates say most illegal operators are paying all fees and taxes required to operate.

My suggestion is this: Pick a time period, say two or three years back, and issue licenses to all vacation-home renters who can show they did indeed pay all required fees and taxes during that time period. Shut down the others.

As for how many licenses to grant, again, pick a number. Say 10 or 15 for each public access path to the beach.

KAPI'OLANI

ALLOW FOOD, DRINK THAT CAN BE USED IN PARK

Kapi'olani Park's trust charter requires that it be "free and open to all," so it was interesting to read in the letter from Dennis Fitzgerald (Nov. 28) that he has been denied access to the on-going commercial sales there.

Apparently one artist group and one handcrafters' alliance have the use of certain areas of Kapi'olani Park tied up under a long-term exclusive use arrangement with the city.

I've noticed that it is more or less the same artists who occupy the zoo fence week after week. A rotating exhibit of a variety of Hawai'i's artists could be lovely, but why does the same group occupy the site week after week?

Across the street near the bandstand you see peddlers of all manner of goods taking up both park space and parking space. The cultural festivals in the area can be a treat for locals and visitors alike with their dances, cultural exhibits and the sale of ready-to-eat ethnic foods. But why are there canned and packaged goods that could be purchased in Kapahulu and Waikiki from shops paying rent and GET? Why should these vendors get a free tax ride on the rest of us by using our park, which should be free and open?

A simple rule might solve the problem: "What one is able to buy in the park should be consumed in the park (food and drinks). Items purchased in the park to be carried out of it are simply commercial sales and should not be allowed."

MIDEAST

U.S. LEADERS FAIL TO SEE HOW TO SUSTAIN PEACE

I note with dismay that your report on the peace conference President Bush convened with great effort in Annapolis last Tuesday indicates that the administration was not "fair and balanced" but leans toward Israeli positions. ("Israelis, Palestinians agree to negotiate but fail to bridge gap," Nov. 28.)

It does not take an international affairs expert to see that no "peace" can be sustainable if it "tilts" toward one side. The apparent failure of the president and Congress to grasp that concept only prolongs the torment for both Israelis and Palestinians, and exposes our country to danger from terrorist acts by people who feel hopeless.