FASHION

LOCALLY DESIGNED DRESS FOR MICHELLE OBAMA?

This letter is addressed to Honolulu's fashion designers and clothing companies.

For the upcoming Washington D.C. inaugural ball for President-elect Barack Obama, why don't you experts design an evening dress, subtle, sleek with a Hawaiian motif for Michelle Obama?

That black and red dress she wore election night was OK but could have been better.

Count me in, and I'm sure a lot of people would contribute to the cost for Michelle's outfit.

ELECTIONS

CHANGES ARE NEEDED IN CANDIDACY FILING RULES

I know there are those who were frustrated by the events surrounding the filing for the 5th District City Council seat.

I followed the law and obtained the needed signatures on time. And, there were two others who filed; George Waialeale withdrew and the other was disqualified, leaving only one candidate on the ballot.

Now that the election is over, the Legislature should move quickly to improve the filing process.

In October, I wrote a letter to Manoa Sen. Brian Taniguchi. In part, I said: "I believe the election process, including filing requirements and the process itself should provide ample opportunity for people to decide to run and should encourage as many candidates to run as possible. And, I applaud and encourage your efforts to find a workable and fair solution to the problems."

I closed by offering the following: "If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. I share your goal of having citizens afforded the most choices in any election."

It's obvious by the content of your editorial ("Law change needed to avoid last-minute candidacy," Nov. 11) that some thought has already gone into formulating possible solutions.

This is a step in the right direction and I look forward to finding appropriate solutions.

WASHINGTON

NEW PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE INAUGURAL LU'AU

First of all, congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama. on winning and making history. Imua Obama!

It is wonderful that Hawai'i had a part in your history and once again Hawai'i leads the way in racial diversity (Rep. Patsy Mink was the first woman of color in the House of Representatives and Sens. Dan Akaka and Daniel Inouye made history as well) and spreading the aloha spirit. I'm very saddened that your tutu and your mother didn't get to see you win in person, but I'm sure they are looking down on you with pride.

Since you are keiki o ka 'aina o Hawai'i, I would like to humbly suggest a inaugural lu'au. It could be a way for Hawai'i to say mahalo nui loa and to wish you a pono term of office.

PRISON SYSTEM

REAL ISSUE IS CRIMINALS WHO ARE STILL ON STREET

There needs to be clarity in the facts regarding the costs of incarcerating criminals.

I am writing in response to the Nov. 7 Island Voices column, "Hawai'i incarceration rate proves costly."

As the writers Marilyn Brown and Meda Chesney-Lind asserted, there are a number of studies that document the high cost of government owned and operated prisons. The real issues the writers overlooked are the more expensive costs of human misery and the economic loss perpetrated on innocent people by serial criminals that should be in prison.

I can assure you that most convicts who want to improve themselves by attending college or work toward rehabilitation can easily do so.

It is incredibly naive to mandate government rehabilitation and education to solve problems. Bottom line — it is more expensive to have criminals on the street than in prison.

TOURISM

HTA SHOULD TARGET MARKET IN U.S. CAPITAL

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has pointed out that the Hawai'i Tourism Authority is not taking sufficient advantage of the Obama inauguration.

Obviously, the inauguration of a Hawai'i-raised president is a rare opportunity.

I suggest that the HTA focus not just on inauguration events, but also leverage the media attention more broadly.

Advertisements should invite travelers to discover the thriving multicultural community that bred our next leader.

During inauguration week, the D.C. area will be populated with people who are attracted to Obama-related events and have the means and will to travel (as evidenced by their travel to D.C.).

Therefore the D.C. market should be the first target for the ads. Then the ads should also be played in major cities nationwide, in television audiences watching the inauguration event.

B&B BILL

O'AHU HAS PRESSING LONG-TERM RENTAL NEEDS

Housing costs are out of sight and the number of homeless continues to rise on O'ahu. Our City Council has an Affordable Housing Committee to try to meet the pressing challenge.

At the same time, the council is considering establishing regulations for the permitting and legal operation of B&Bs. This move would take away possible affordable long-term rental space from residents to provide high-end short-term rentals for visitors. B&Bs will not only cut the supply of potential housing for residents but also contribute to the continued escalation of housing costs.

B&Bs rent from about $100 to $300. If a person can rent to visitors for a minimum of $3,000 a month, why would they rent it to a permanent resident for $500 a month? And, to put it into perspective, to afford to pay $3,000 a month for housing, one should be earning about $144,000 a year. Sometimes, the wisdom behind council actions escapes me.

TELESCOPES

PLAINTIFFS OPPOSING UH'S MAUNA KEA PLAN

The University of Hawai'i claims its new Mauna Kea comprehensive management plan is a response to a 2006 ruling by Hilo Circuit Judge Glen Hara in a lawsuit brought by Hawaiian and environmental groups.

This claim is false, because while the UH's plan may be a "response," it is not the response Judge Hara called for. He called on the Board of Land and Natural Resources to do the comprehensive management plan.

Although UH is a state agency, it isn't THE state agency legally responsible for protecting the state's conservation lands. BLNR may not legally transfer its public duty to UH. The fox can't guard the henhouse.

We are confident making such strong statements, because we were the plaintiffs who won the lawsuit.

BLNR continues to side with UH, claiming they have no money to do the plan. This argument must fail because lack of funds is not an affirmative defense for violating the law, BLNR has no money because they charge the telescopes only $1 per year in violation of state law (HRS 171) and there are no exceptions in the law.

We oppose the UH CMP, including their plan to limit public access to Mauna Kea. BLNR, your job is to enforce the law, not to adopt UH's creative interpretations of it yet again.