TRIBUTE

UPW MEMBERS FONDLY REMEMBER JOHN KELLY

John Kelly's death leaves Hawai'i saddened.

Your account of his role and activity tells us why. But it could not cover all of the many courageous leadership roles he espoused in his active years.

Those of us in the United Public Workers Union have a special reason for our memories of John Kelly.

He was our education director and photographer for our newspaper. His stories were always carefully researched, and his photographs were outstanding.

An exhibit of the portraits of the men and women in the UPW would reveal one of the aspects of Kelly's creative role your story did not touch upon. Such an exhibit wold be a fitting tribute to his memory.

SUPERFERRY

DELAYING FERRY HURTS HAWAI'I'S RESIDENTS

Residents of Hawai'i have always been victims of the tourism and transportation relationship.

When tourism is up, we can't fly. It's too expensive or no flights are available. It's the same with rental cars. When tourism is up we can't rent because it is too expensive or no cars are available.

Also, airline baggage restrictions make it impossible to carry camping, sporting equipment, whatever, for a family vacation.

Hawaii Superferry is the first means of transportation in Hawai'i that will benefit those of us who actually live here.

It is not reasonable to single out the ferry as threatening to the environment. Mosquitoes, rats, coqui, and out-of-control development all got here and moved between the islands without the Superferry.

And the Superferry won't make it any easier for these pests to move about. On the other hand, the ferry will make it much easier for local folks; and we are all residents of Hawai'i with equal rights to all the islands.

Delaying the ferry is not damaging developers, big business and all those other perceived monsters that have been listed over the past few weeks on your editorial page. Delaying the ferry is only damaging local folks and their families here in Hawai'i.

HAVE WE LEARNED A LESSON FROM H-3, FERRY?

Winston Churchill said: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Does anyone remember the years of delays and outrageous cost overruns we suffered during the construction of the H-3 Freeway? These problems were caused primarily because those responsible for planning and construction ignored or failed to anticipate the objections of environmental, religious and cultural groups.

Would it not have been far more economical to address these reasonably anticipated objections, delays and lawsuits before the Superferry was launched?

I assume these problems have all been addressed and resolved before we start pouring money into the new fixed-rail transit system.

SUPERFERRY WILL BOOST ECONOMY OF ISLANDS

I was shocked and dismayed to hear that the Hawaii Superferry will still not be able to operate.

I remember when the large cruise ships were questioned about sewage. There was a brief outcry from protesters and then silence, and the large ships were given allowance to operate.

The Superferry is a natural for this state. It would be great to travel to a Neighbor Island from O'ahu, spend money and boost the economy, in the comfort of one's own vehicle.

IT'S NOT RIGHT TO UNDO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

It was obvious from Day 1 that the Hawaii Superferry would have adverse impacts on Hawai'i's endangered whales, mammals, invasive species, rural communities and outer island resources.

Since the fall of 2003, hundreds of individuals and groups at numerous meetings and Public Utilities Commission hearings, through county council resolutions and in letters and thousands of petition signatures begged the Hawaii Superferry to follow the Hawai'i Environmental Protection Act and conduct an environmental assessment on the Superferry project.

However, powerful people violated the constitutional rights and safety of the public. The Supreme Court and now the Circuit Court on Maui have ruled that economic costs and concerns do not override the potential and true damage to our environment from an unmitigated project such as the Superferry.

It will be a sad day if the Legislature convenes a special session to undo 30 years of Hawai'i environmental law.

Our environment is our economy. Our early lawmakers had great insight into the future of Hawai'i, and I pray the Hawai'i Legislature honors their memory doing the right thing by not legislating after-the-fact approval and relief.

THE UNDERDOG SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED

There is an old saying: "Big surprises come in small packages."

How amazing that a small minority of environmentalists could win over the majority of the state of Hawai'i who were for the Superferry.

Never underestimate the underdog. Why have we not heard from our elected U.S. senators and congressional leaders when this controversy began several months ago?

IS THIS A SMOKESCREEN TO KEEP OTHERS OUT?

Question for the Superferry protesters:

Do all citizens of Hawai'i have an equal right to enjoy the public lands (beaches, ocean, mountains, etc.) of the whole state?

If so, the Superferry benefits more than it aggravates.

If not, what is the basis for a citizen's use of public lands? Surely not the location of his or her home.

Maybe this environmental stuff is just a smokescreen to prevent folks from picking the 'opihi on other islands.

CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION IRRESPONSIBLE, WRONG

Your editorial call for a special legislative session for the ferry was irresponsible.

The ferry and the Lingle administration broke the law. They were told they broke the law years ago, but did not listen. Now the Legislature is supposed to hold a special session to write a law especially for these scoff-laws?

You are worried about the message sent to the world by the halting of the ferry.

What kind of message does a special legislative session send? It sends the message that if you are rich and connected Hawai'i will make laws especially for you — just like in banana republics.

LET'S SOLVE PROBLEMS WITHOUT NAME CALLING

The Superferry story on KHON Tuesday night disturbed me greatly.

Why would any responsible reporter or station air someone saying "Maui and Kaua'i can go to hell?"

With all the problems we have going on in our state today, we certainly don't need statements by callous individuals dividing the Islands. Remember, we are one state.

To our brothers and sisters on Maui and Kaua'i, believe me when I say that these individuals don't speak for the majority of us on O'ahu.

I believe we can work to resolve our problems without pointing fingers and name calling.

KO OLINA

PLEASE DON'T 'DISNEYFY' OUR HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

I really can't think of anything more appalling than "Disneyfying" Hawai'i ("Disneyresort plan seen as boost to jobs, Ko Olina," Oct. 4). I strongly object.

DISNEY PLANS RESORT, SHOULD WE PROTEST?

Have you heard? Walt Disney Parks & Resorts is planning on breaking ground next year on a Disney-themed family hotel complex near Ko Olina. We now have ample time to insist that an environmental impact study be done.

Imagine the scary thought of tens of thousands of family visitors, their children, and scores of locals enjoying themselves and building new treasured memories. We don't want that to happen, do we? And, will their loud laughter and happiness create intense noise pollution, thus disturbing our quiet inner peace of mind and that of the endangered humpback whales?

It's not too late! There is still time for everyone to protest and stop this amazing industry of progress from using their imaginative spirit and inspiring insight on our shores. There is still time to prevent the forming of millions of smiling faces, which will eventually spread to our outer islands. Is Disney going to put us at risk of losing our local dark age and caveman-style values?

OK — I'm being sarcastic in light of the recent and disturbing Superferry protesters.

I do truly hope that Disney becomes successful, and is welcomed with open arms to establish their firm and positive roots in our future.

ACCESS ISSUE

OFTEN, NONRESIDENTS OWN PRIVATE LANES

Peter Dyer's very informative letter "Case law supports open access to beaches" (Oct. 2) and Libby Tomar's letter "City should assess tax on private lanes" (Oct. 5) compel me to comment on privately owned lanes.

Not all privately owned lanes (or road lots) are owned by the property owners who benefit from the use of the private lanes/roads.

Our road lot is owned by no fewer than 60 foundations, trusts and individuals who do not live in Kahalu'u.

The road lot is more than 6/10 acre, the land is valued at $300, and yes, the owners pay no taxes nor do they do upkeep on the road.

Because our privately owned road services at least six individual parcels and can be used as a public thoroughfare, the City & County of Honolulu's Road Maintenance Division does maintain it (albeit minimally).

IRAQ

WHEN WILL CONGRESS ACT ON ENDING THE WAR?

How can we continue funding this war when our national debt is more than $9 trillion?

When is Congress going to open its eyes and do something? President Bush is running down our country daily. We need to stop this war right away and start saving money.

Stop playing games, and get down to business.