PACIFIC ISLANDERS

AUTHOR APOLOGIZES OVER HOMELESS REPORT

On July 8, The Advertiser ran a Page One story based on a preliminary report that I wrote and disseminated about homeless shelter utilization in Hawai'i.

The study and the story that described it have prompted much criticism.

Therefore, I want to apologize to those from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau for causing you personal grief or anguish or contributing to any negative stereotype of individuals from your island nations.

I ask for your forgiveness, and hope you will accept this apology.

UH FOOTBALL

JONES' COMMENTS AFTER GAME EMBARRASSING

Congratulations to the University of Hawai'i football team for a hard-foughtovertime win against San Jose State on Oct. 12.

It was great that Hawai'i and the rest of the nation got to see this game live on ESPN. It's sad that the nation also saw June Jones at the conclusion of the game say, "If it weren't for the muddy field we would have scored 60 more points on them."

The statements he made discrediting the San Jose State players were embarrassing.

This is a team that took Hawai'i to the limit. This is an opposing team that played with everything they had on that same muddy field and lost. I did not hear coach Dick Tomey complain. He only gave credit to Hawai'i on a great comeback.

Instead of writing a sports book maybe June Jones should try reading one on sportsmanship.

SCHOOLCHILDREN

KAILUA FIRE STATION THANKED FOR TOUR, TIPS

I just wanted to take a few moments to thank the crew at the Kailua Fire Station for the tour that I took with my great-granddaughter, Hannah, and her Kailua Elementary School class on Oct. 9.

I was visiting Honolulu at the time, and was invited to come along with the class by Hannah's teacher. The crew did a fabulous job of informing the students about fire safety. The children were able to see a firefighter dressed in full gear to address some of their fears of how scary they look in full gear. The crew was able to show the children the new fire ladder truck, which reaches 72 feet in the air.

The captain entertained the students with a climb to the top of the ladder. The students were able to see where the firefighters spend their nights on duty, as well as their kitchen area.

The whole crew was very sincere and caring in sharing fire safety.

Again, thanks for the great job.

KAILUA

RENTAL, BEACH ACCESS ISSUES TURNING UGLY

Mahalo to Chris Windle (Letters, Oct. 5) for noting the illegal practice of many homeowners near Kailua Beach of placing jagged boulders or plants (or even trash cans) in the public parking areas in front of their homes so people can't even park near the few public beach accesses that do exist.

Ironically, those homeowners are often the same ones who are demanding that they be allowed to trespass on private residential lanes so they can get to the beach. This sounds like a double standard times two.

These actions, and the witch hunt against vacation rentals and visitors, are turning this community ugly. It's time for cooler heads to ask the city to acquire more public beach accesses, to guarantee the right to park near them, and to show respect and aloha to all, residents and visitors alike.

KAHUKU VILLAGE

BEACHFRONT HOMES AN ISLANDWIDE DECISION

Roughly 54 out of 72 households in Kahuku Village Phase V agreed to a 10-point letter of intent from Continental Pacific to begin the process of the development of 18 lots on the oceanside of the Kahuku Golf Course.

In exchange, the villagers would be able to purchase our homes and lots under a condominium property regime for an average price of $75,000.

My feeling is that any development of the beachfront or the Kahuku Golf Course is not something 72 households should decide. Most Phase V residents felt they could face eviction or be priced out of housing if they didn't sign this agreement.

The beachfront is an island community decision, not one to be made by people who are scared and feel they have no other choice.

I don't like the idea that we are being made scapegoats for beachfront development, but under the circumstances who would fault the village except for some crazy idealists?

SUPERFERRY

GOVERNOR SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO CITIZENS

Gov. Linda Lingle's self-serving screed (Focus, Oct. 14) insults the intelligence of your readers and the citizenry — particularly in light of her comments in response to legislators who want to know how her administration came to create this titanic Superferry mess.

On one hand, the governor delivers a sophomoric diatribe on the checks-and-balances system, on the other, in Christie Wilson's news story, the governor criticizes the elected legislators who dare to check her power by asking how her administration came to put us in this mess.

Kudos to Sen. Mike Gabbard and Rep. Marcus Oshiro for trying to get to the bottom of this.

As for Gov. Lingle, she seems to be the last person who should be delivering us a civics lesson right now; she should start instead with an apology.

LEADERS SHOULDN'T PUT PROFIT OVER PEOPLE

Our leaders must uphold their commitment to protect the environment and not let money be the determining factor in the Superferry scenario.

In April 2004, Gov. Linda Lingle created the Environmental Crimes Unit within the Department of the Attorney General.

"Protecting our Islands' environment and natural resources is a top priority for our administration," Lingle said.

So what is the state doing now, three years later? Facilitating Superferry's violation of Hawai'i's environmental laws while siding against those who have sought to uphold these laws (lawmakers who have properly passed resolutions and bills to do just that, not just protesters).

If people want to paint a picture of the Superferry as a business that is leaving Hawai'i because of our bad business policies, think again. Given the condition of our fragile ecosystem and the devastation of our native marine animals (monk seals and green sea turtles could easily be sucked into the ferry's rudders), it's not the time to put more boats in the water without proper assessments.

Our leaders must not put profits over the people and our environment. Natural resources, unlike money, are irreplaceable. Should've voted for Aila.

SELFISH FEW RUINING FERRY OPTION FOR OTHERS

I'm very disappointed in the few selfish people who are ruining the Superferry option for everyone else in Hawai'i.

Anyone who has children would probably agree that it would be so much easier to take the family car along for a Neighbor Island trip already loaded up with car seats, baby gear, stroller, etc., and have it ready to go on the other side.

With the crazy interisland airline wars going on lately, having an alternative to booking plane tickets and being limited to luggage restrictions sure sounds refreshing.

To the people who are concerned about whales and invasive species, what's the difference between the Superferry and the numerous cruise ships, tour boats and personal craft that traverse the Islands regularly?

At least the Superferry could be used more by locals. I know I'm not planning on going on a Hawaiian cruise any time soon, but it would be nice to take a short family trip to Kaua'i or Maui.

It's hard to travel far when you have kids—at least let us have a break and give us an easier getaway within our own state.

DON'T CHANGE LAW JUST FOR HAWAII SUPERFERRY

The law is the law and should not be tweaked for Hawaii Superferry.

It is clear that the administration is all about business and not our environment. How can we sustain Hawai'i through 2050, if the administration tweaks laws?