There's not enough parking. There's not enough space to store canoes. The canal's water quality is infamous and the canal is choked with debris.

Is it true that a Zen archery range is being planned for Kapi'olani Park? Where are our priorities? If you want to see some Zen, come down to the canal every afternoon and watch the paddlers.

Let's support a sport that gives so much back to Hawai'i. First, let's deal with the Ala Wai and then we can focus on the window dressing.

Eric Phillips

Describing group as 'quaint' was insulting

I cannot speak for the women of 'Anahui Ka'ahumanu, but as a reader of your June 11 story, I was certainly amazed and angered by the adjectives your reporter used to describe the values of this worthy organization.

Perhaps your reporter could justify using "quaint" or "antiquated" to describe the ceremonial dress code. Even that is somewhat insulting given the history and tradition of 'Anahui Ka'ahumanu.

To call values that center around preserving the Hawaiian language and culture and helping others "quaint" and "antiquated" is either grossly inaccurate or a very sad commentary on our society.

Sue Tetmeyer

Stonebraker's critics should read Constitution

Regarding the harassment of Rep. Bud Stonebraker by Mitch Kahle and his cohorts of Hawai'i Citizens for the Separation of State and Church: They should read the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Nowhere do the words "separation of church and state" appear.

The actual wording of the First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Kahle obviously does not understand the distinction between the establishment of a religion and the freedom of exercising one's religion. His assertion that, in assisting with a baccalaureate service for Kaiser High School graduates, Stonebraker misused his office and violated some hypothetical "separation of church and state" is absurd.

Stonebraker was not engaged in establishing a religion; he was simply responding to the needs of his constituents.

Janice Pechauer

If you talk referendum, you also talk gambling

Rep. Galen Fox, in his June 6 letter, criticizes Gov. Cayetano and the Democrats for historically blocking "referendum" votes on important issues, and then proceeds proudly to commit the very same sin on casino gaming in Hawai'i.

Since the Democrats now want a "referendum" on gaming, the Republican Fox should seize this valuable political victory. He should proclaim from the highest rooftop that the Democrats no longer can oppose "referendum" votes on other controversial issues.

Instead, he sinks into the tired mire of political "tit-for-tat" and gamesmanship. By holding one issue (gaming) hostage to another (wholesale adoption of a formal initiative process), neither is addressed and the will of the people suffers.

Such tactical adherence to the status quo bodes ill for our Republican principles and desire to one day shed minority status. It also sends a statewide message that if you are one of the many Hawai'i residents in favor of casino gaming, then the Republican Party is not for you.

Gary Elam
Escondido, Calif.

Foreign films would be much appreciated

I recently went to a movie at the new Ward 16-Plex theater. I must say it is state of the art.

Lots of covered parking space, elevators and escalator. The lobby is spacious and there is a large-screen TV if you want to hang around after a show. Bathrooms are clean and the wash basin top is Corian throughout.

The theater seats are comfortable and there's a lot of space between the rows. And, the service people at the snack bar, ticket counter and lobby area are very helpful and courteous.

But I would like to recommend that Consolidated management set aside two screens for international films (Asian and European) with English subtitles. We, in Hawai'i, are missing out, as there are many outstanding foreign films being produced.

There are a lot of mature foreigners (Asian and Europeans) residing or staying at hotels in the Waikiki, Ala Moana and surrounding areas who would like to enjoy a quiet evening watching these films.

In addition, there are a lot of local people, young and old, who would enjoy seeing a foreign film now and then, since opportunities for most of them to travel abroad are quite limited.

Finally, these films would be an excellent educational source for our young people.

Henry Avilla