Letters to the Editor

Aloha Tower project must include all parts

The Aloha Tower project is a privately planned and funded proposal for Honolulu waterfront development at an estimated cost of $227 million. It provides for a statewide fast ferry system, ample and balanced ferry terminal facilities, a hotel for transients, office buildings and a 1,200-car parking structure.

According to your Aug. 6 report, the Aloha Tower Development Corp. (ATDC) has finally decided to advertise nationally, but only for a ferry terminal, parking and 30,000 square feet of office space for the state Department of Transportation.

If the ATDC request-for-proposals does not also specify private funding of a statewide fast ferry system, there is no need to specify a ferry terminal. Then, if no ferry terminal is specified, there is no need for the project to be waterfront and no need to be managed by the ATDC.

E. Alvey Wright
Kane'ohe

Boy Scouts should have its own rules

The lengthy Aug. 11 article on the problems thrust at the Boy Scouts of America for its exclusion of gays and atheists is, in my opinion, much ado about nothing. The Boy Scouts is a private organization, as the article pointed out, and should be allowed to do anything the law allows.

To those who object to the above exclusion, and those who object to the word "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, I say go to a youth group that meets your needs. The article pointed out that a group is now being formed called "Scouting For All." That seems the proper route to go for those who cannot abide by the rules of the Boy Scouts of America. Form your own group or join an existing one.

Several years ago, I served the Aloha Council on O'ahu as a volunteer trainer of scout leaders, both den mothers and scoutmasters. In the 14 years I served in that capacity, I never learned of a single instance where a leader was asked if he or she was an atheist. We accepted individuals for their enthusiasm for the scout programs.

While I don't agree with the Boy Scouts' exclusion of gays and atheists, I respect its right to make its own rules. I concur with Vicky Cayetano, who said she hopes the Boy Scouts would "open their arms and leadership positions to all capable individuals."

I still cherish my coveted Silver Beaver Award and my advice to the organization is to "hang in there."

Emmett Cahill
Volcano, Big Island

Landowners at mercy of owner-occupants

I would like to respond to Joseph O'Brien's Aug. 12 letter, "Owner-occupants at the mercy of landowners." O'Brien is concerned about losing his apartment when his lease agreement ends.

Dear Mr. O'Brien, when you bought your leasehold property, you must have been aware of the rules in your lease. You were only buying the right to lease the apartment for 55 years. This is a fact. It was very clear. Now you are trying to change the rules after the agreement. That is not fair or appropriate in our free economic system.

If small landowners knew you would try to change the rules after you signed on the dotted line, they never would have allowed small apartment condominiums to be built on their valuable land.

It is a sad time when a larger number of people can succeed in taking away from a smaller number of people what is legally theirs.

I hope the City Council and Legislature do not succumb to the political pressure in this controversial issue. I think the Advertiser headline should have read, "Landowners at the mercy of owner-occupants."

Jeremy Lam

Conklin views show shallow understanding

Wow! Thanks for printing Ken Conklin's Aug. 11 Focus piece. Now I realize that with sufficient arrogant persistence and my own Web site, I too can become a prominent voice on native Hawaiian issues.

Of course, like Conklin, my writings and statements will need to reveal a shallow understanding of Hawaiian identity, plantation history and American manifest destiny expansionism, complemented by a lack of roots and familial ties to the Islands.

Then The Advertiser will publish me repeatedly, legitimize my opinions and use them to shape political and cultural dialogue over understanding our past and determining our future.

Gee, it all makes so much more sense now.

J.A. Lipman

Norwegian Cruise Line must comply with laws

If Norwegian Cruise Line wants to operate interisland as per your Aug. 13 editorial, "Island waters should be opened to foreign ships," it must comply with the laws of this country: Register its vessels in the United States and adhere to American safety, environmental, tax and labor laws.

Would the citizens of Hawai'i tolerate foreign-flag airlines operating interisland?

Gunnar Lundeberg