ENERGY FUTURE

DEPENDENCE ON OIL CAN'T CONTINUE FOREVER

The letter regarding ethanol and rail by Dr. Panos Prevedouros, an advocate for toll roads, misses the point. In his letter, he takes exception to investments in ethanol and rail transit as too costly and ineffective.

While the debate on renewable energy continues, the real problem lies with our dependence on the automobile and energy over-consumption. We must find ways of extending our natural resources and protecting our environment from increased air, water and surface pollution.

Toll roads and HOT lanes would only increase our dependence on oil and cause more damage to our environment. The city's rail project, operating on electricity, will provide a cleaner, more environmentally responsible option to auto travel. And perhaps someday we will even have cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells and more power plants that are run by hydro-electric sources, wind, waves or solar power.

But we cannot continue living for today and ignoring the future. If we don't take care of the 'aina, someday it will no longer take care of us.

SMALL BUSINESS

SPIRIT OF ALOHA GOING OUT OF OUR CLIMATE

I've never written the editor before, but am compelled now by the issue of longstanding small businesses being unable to renegotiate mutually agreeable leases after many, many years of existence and thus are forced to close.

The upcoming closing of Ebisu Catering after 40-plus years at the same King Street location is another example of money being considered more important than longevity in the state of Hawai'i.

Last year a business in Windward Mall was forced to close, after 27 years in the same location and being one of the first tenants when the mall opened, because of the inability to renegotiate a new lease suitable to both parties. Some say they can move somewhere else; however, many of them can't afford the cost of any lease space here anymore.

If this type of business mentality continues, the sentiment that makes Hawai'i what it is will no longer be. The priority will be land development and making money and not the things that have brought Hawai'i this far: aloha for each other and dedication to tradition.

I understand business is business, but there's nothing wrong with heart and aloha being added to the mix.

FIRST LADIES

POLITICAL SPOUSES OFFER STRONG PUBLIC SERVICE

Lee Cataluna's article, "Aiona has to prove he can lead," (June 10) offended me. To refer to the Ramona Harris and Vivian Aiona "purse dog" and the Vicki Cayetano "fishtail mu'umu'u" trivializes each of these women's individual accomplishments and their contributions as wives of public-service husbands.

Ramona Harris has been involved in a number of community activities and organizations that include the Hawai'i Deaf Celebration and the American Heart Association, to name a few. Vicki Cayetano is president and CEO of United Laundry Services Inc. and managing director of United Laundry Kona LLC.

Vivian Aiona serves as a board member for the Friends of Washington Place and takes an active role in community activities and continues to be an active member of her church.

All while in the public eye, supporting their husbands, raising families and doing a damn good job of keeping their sanity and serving, in their own individual ways, the people of Hawai'i.

SEAT BELTS

FOR TRUE FREEDOM, JUMP ON A BUS AND RIDE

For the people who complain about the "Click It or Ticket" campaign, you can easily avoid getting a ticket if you do what I do — ride the bus. I don't wear a seat belt and I even get to stand during the entire ride. Now, that's freedom!

RESPONSIBILITY

SOLVING PROBLEMS ISN'T ONLY GOVERNMENT ISSUE

As Americans, we enjoy the democracy that our forefathers founded our country on. We can't simply rely upon the government to solve most, if not all, of our problems in society. To utilize our taxes efficiently, our government should only address problems which the society is unable to.

For example: "Guns don't kill people, people do." We've all heard this before, but we still seem to have a gun problem. If our society can't deal with it, then our government may have to by making guns illegal.

Not wearing seat belts while involved in a automobile accident raises the amount of damage done. Therefore, a "Click It or Ticket" enforcement isn't a socialist form, but rather a means to protect social well-being.

If our society spent more time on family quality, then we wouldn't have as many drug problems, student dropouts, etc. It's not our public schools' fault for bad test scores.

Pedestrian accidents are rising at an alarming rate. We called for better laws and stronger enforcement of those laws. So it was done.

Now violent crime is up and we snicker at the Honolulu Police Department for targeting jaywalkers rather than true criminals? This is disturbing.

We are all individuals in our society, so either shape up or ship out.

SMOKING

FATHER'S DAY PERFECT TIME TO QUIT THE HABIT

As a father I must set a good example for my children to follow. I also need to protect them from harm. My girls are a big reason why I choose to be part of the Coalition For a Tobacco-Free Hawai'i.

In Hawai'i, we are doing pretty well in the fight against tobacco. As a matter of fact, we rank number seven for the lowest smoking rate among men in the country. But there's always room to improve.

More than 19 percent of adult males in Hawai'i smoke — almost 93,000 men. All their children are in danger of picking up the tobacco habit, too. Sadly, about 100 of these children will lose their fathers to tobacco-related illness this year.

For Father's Day, I ask all the fathers who smoke: Is smoking a habit you want your children to pick up from you? Is it OK for them to be exposed to tobacco smoke?

In honor of your children, use this Father's Day as a reason to quit tobacco. Do it for yourself and your kids. Set the right example and protect your keiki from tobacco.

To all Hawai'i's fathers: Happy Father's Day.

IRAQ WAR

BUSH CONSTITUTIONAL; CLINTON LESS FAITHFUL

It is funny to read letters like the one from Daniel Webb where he laments that "Congress has not declared war on Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan." Talk about selective memory.

Since President Bush has been accused of acting willfully and imperially and "dividing the nation," it should be pointed out that not only did he request and secure a resolution for using force in Iraq from both political parties, but that this is more than his Democratic predecessor did in launching his own war in Kosovo.

Bill Clinton did not seek to obtain a congressional resolution to use force in the Balkans.

In gauging the sincerity of the Democratic attacks on Bush's war-making decisions in Iraq as "illegal" and "unilateral," it is worth remembering that Bill Clinton never even sought congressional approval (or U.N. approval) when he went to war in Kosovo. This did not seem to bother Democrats at the time, and the U.S. is still involved in the Balkans today.

I know it has not gone according to plan, but we need to stay in Iraq. The Constitution has not been violated at all. And to not fund the troops is the real travesty.