SUPERFERRY

COAST GUARD ACTIONS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED

I am amazed that our Coast Guard cannot handle a group of young Kaua'i surfers, and yet are entrusted with saving the nation from terrorists who might seek an ocean-entry invasion.

I recall that in 1984 the Coast Guard arrested protester Jim Albertini. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to a three-year federal prison term for non-violent action in Hilo Bay. He swam against a Navy vessel allegedly carrying nuclear materials in direct violation of Hawai'i County's well-publicized nuclear ban.

Is it the subject matter of protest that governs this alleged military arm of our federal government? Or a newfound lack of will to protect a civilian vessel?

In either case, I think our congressional delegation should make a formal inquiry into the inaction and subsequent promise not to protect the ferry.

I have a genuine sense of dereliction of duty by the U.S. Coast Guard at Nawiliwili.

PROTESTERS ON KAUA'I SHOWED NO RESPECT

"Confrontations, injuries and arrests do not serve our community's well-deserved reputation for mutual respect and aloha," said state Sen. Gary Hooser on the Superferry protests on Kaua'i.

Kaua'i has a reputation for respect and aloha? Maybe Sen. Hooser didn't watch the video coverage aired on KHNL last Tuesday night. Kaua'i protesters have chosen to take their anger and frustration with government out on the innocent passengers of the Superferry. How shame!

Families, tutu, grandpas, and keiki were traveling on the Superferry to see relatives and friends because the $5 Superferry fares offered an affordable way to have a vacation. What the Superferry offers our local people should be embraced.

Instead, Kaua'i protesters prevented these passengers from having their vacation, and forced them to spend hours at sea (and on land) with no food. That's aloha? That's respect? No. That is cruel and ignorant.

The protesters have invaded the secure areas of the pier, have harassed both Neighbor Island and Kaua'i passengers waiting to board or disembark the ferry; they have physically pounded on the doors, windows, windshields and hoods of cars; yelled obscenities at these passengers; and they were even letting air out of the tires of cars in the secured dock area to prevent people from leaving. This behavior is unacceptable in a civilized society.

Kaua'i protesters should respect the law and their neighbors.

KAUA'I FERRY PROTEST WAS NOT THE ISLAND WAY

As part of the community on Kaua'i, I'm ashamed of the organized body of activists that Mr. James Trujillo described in his Aug. 29 letter ("Community frustrated by lack of judgment").

If what you say is true, that a meeting was held prior to this exhibition, then more shame on you.

The result of your call to action to stop Superferry from landing did not show a unified front as you stated, but a mob mentality that follows the person who can yell the loudest.

What really happened was a handful of people disrespecting the authorities and wanting their 15 minutes of fame.

When the rhetoric gets ignorant, I stop listening. Profanity does not educate, but fosters an attitude of disrespect.

Your actions hurt a lot of innocent Island people.

Do things the civil way and don't show our youth your style of protest. It is not the Island way.

BLAME MISPLACED IN HALTING OF SERVICE

Folks are understandably upset that the Superferry service has been halted. But much of the blame has been misplaced.

The Superferry and the Lingle administration knew from the beginning that an environmental review for something of this scope was required. Community groups asked them three years ago to conduct a review. The Superferry could have done the assessment, addressed people's concerns, earned lots of good will, and still sailed "on time." Instead, they gambled and they lost, creating this current mess.

The folks bringing the lawsuit are simply asking for an environmental review of the project, just as the law requires (according to the Supreme Court). Is disclosing the environmental impacts so onerous as to scare away companies from doing business in Hawai'i?

Ultimately, the Superferry broke our law. That's not a responsible way to do business in Hawai'i.

Many folks want the Superferry, but they want it done right.

FLIGHT PATH

MORE AIR-TRAFFIC NOISE BEING HEARD IN MANOA

Has anyone noticed the increase of air-traffic noise over Manoa valley?

I have been a resident of the valley for more than 20 years, and do not recall this being a regular route.

We Honolulu citizens already put up with too much traffic on pothole-ridden roads and construction sites in the tightest of places as daily intrusions. The valley is enjoyed by many. Manoa Park is a recreation destination as well as a peaceful place for anyone to enjoy the view of the mountains on their lunch break.

As Manoa residents, we did not tolerate HECO's plan to take over Wa'ahila Ridge with ugly towers. Let's not accept a commercial flight path over land when we live on an island. I am sure other communities are also affected.

For those who do hear this noise pollution, please write your state and federal representatives for relief. Don't just live with it.

ASSISTANCE

RESIDENT ASKS WHETHER WE CAN RELY ON 911

On Aug. 21 at 8 p.m., I had the unfortunate experience of speaking with a 911 operator.

I attempted to explain to her that there was an angry man at the bus stop in front of Kaiser in Kane'ohe who was yelling obscenities, punching the air and urinating on the bench. To my surprise, she reacted as though I was inconveniencing her.

I pleaded with her to send out an officer, as there were five frightened women hovering together at the bus stop. I then realized that the call had been disconnected.

Ten minutes later, another woman called to request an officer. We waited nervously, not knowing whether this violent man would release his anger on any one of us.

We continued to wait for another 30 minutes, but no officer showed up. We boarded the bus, questioning why it took an officer so long to arrive when the station is no more than two miles up the street.

This experience has left me with two pressing questions. Are our children safe walking these streets, and can we rely on 911 for help?

As a taxpaying citizen, I feel cheated that I was denied those civil services that I work so hard to pay for.

HOMELESS

IT'S TIME TO RECLAIM BEACH PARKS FOR ALL

Your article on the parking lot closures for the Leeward Coast (Aug. 25) shows some initiative being taken by the state to remedy the homeless fiasco that is becoming daily life for Leeward residents.

However, it's too little, too late and poorly planned. When the homeless were evicted from Tracks and Ma'ili Beach Park and "given a place to go" in the form of an overpriced and underused homeless structure, a majority just moved down the road across from the wastewater plant or to other less visible beachparks, like Kea'au.

Why not evict across the board and clean up the whole coast instead of adopting the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality we've all grown accustomed to here?

Lock up all the parks and evict all the homeless in coordinated sweeps. They don't have to use the shelter (and most don't conform to its requirements), but keep them out of our (taxpayers') beach parks.

It's getting to the point where the only beach we can safely take our keiki to is the school sandbox, and you don't want to get started on the teacher situation, do you? Didn't think so.

CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE

NO ONE SILENCED BY OTHER PANEL MEMBERS

As chairperson of the Hawai'i Advisory Committee (HISAC) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, I want to respond to David Forman's Island Voices column (Aug. 23).

To correct the record, at its first hearing on Aug. 15, the committee discussed pending legislation that some consider Hawai'i's biggest civil rights issue, the Akaka bill.

To better understand its ramifications, the committee voted to conduct statewide information-gathering briefings and public comment sessions.

The vote followed robust debate and thoughtful consideration. Forman's allegation that two members' voices were silenced by the majority is incorrect.

Those members, whose positions I respect, fully expressed themselves before the vote. Nine members voted to hear from experts and the public on the issue.

HISAC held its first standing-room-only session at the State Capitol with excellent presentations from Hawai'i Attorney General Mark Bennett favoring the bill and Roger Clegg of the Center for Equal Opportunity in opposition.

Thereafter, every member of the public who wished to speak, as did nearly 65, was given that opportunity. I was gratified everyone maintained a respectful decorum despite strong feelings. I was also pleased the commission provided staff and resources for that and future sessions.

In the future, we will hear from experts about other pressing civil rights issues affecting Hawai'i. All hearings will allow full public participation. Whether the committee ultimately votes on any particular issue is for it to decide.

TRANSIT

MAYOR HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK ON SYSTEM

I am at a loss to comprehend why Councilmember Ann Kobayashi is just now investigating, and publicly commenting on, various transit options.

With all due respect, what has she been doing for the past two years? This issue cannot come as a surprise to any elected officials and I don't believe a field trip to Rotterdam is a prerequisite to forming opinions on transit.

For example, Ms. Kobayashi insists the bus offers "flexibility."

The beauty of rail is that that it is not flexible. It is a massive "spine" infrastructure investment that triggers millions of dollars in redevelopment, transit usage and pedestrian urban development along its path, reducing the need for a car.

Bus routes don't do this by the very nature of their impermanence, nor do they shape the built environment as rail does.

The lack of even a rudimentary knowledge of how our rail system will work and what it will do, should be disconcerting to all residents, especially coming on the heels of the absurd approval of Councilmember Romy Cachola's folly route through Salt Lake.

For my money, I intend to fully support Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the professional engineers who have done their rail homework

PEDESTRIANS

CROSSING CITY STREETS DANGEROUS FOR SENIORS

Is there pedestrian safety in Honolulu? Not much.

Recently, when I crossed at University and King streets, the red hand started blinking just seconds after I stepped off the curb. How can elderly people cross at this rate? Why are the cards so stacked against pedestrians? It's dangerous and inhumane.

Politicians need to do something about pedestrian safety.

WORKING TOGETHER

YOUTH SUMMIT STORY LIFTED HOPE FOR PEACE

My thanks to Advertiser reporter Mary Kaye Ritz for her excellent article on the Youth Summit at Camp Erdman (Aug. 20) and to our local YMCA for hosting such an impressive gathering of young people from around the world.

I especially appreciated the story of Yoel Zerbib and Aya Hussin, both from Jerusalem, who are together because of this outstanding outreach program. The image of the two, stranded in one kayak in Kailua, calling for help in Hebrew, Arabic and English, is one that brings a vision of hope for the future of their people in the tortured areas of Israel and Palestine.

Indeed, the experience of these 17-year-old young women is a vivid example of our need to set aside our differences and learn to work together so that our world might be one in which future generations thrive and live in peace.

I am saddened and angered when our media focus on such stereotypes as "Jewish victims," "Palestinian terrorists" and even recently on "warriors" in the extremists within the Jewish, Islamic and Christian faiths.

This article lifted up the hope for peace that comes when we see our neighbors as individuals and not through the labels others have given them.

Please continue to give us articles of this quality.