Posted on: Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Letters to the Editor

Farrington median planting a bad idea

"I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree ..." So goes a poem by Joyce Kilmer. A statement so very true. But evidently he didn't live in Hawai'i, where they plant trees in the median on Farrington Highway in Waipahu.

The tree project is costing taxpayers $860,000 for the trees, shrubs, irrigation and median alteration for the planting. I understand Hawai'i Kai is also planting trees. Just what we need when our roads are in bad need of repair all over the state.

Recently in the news, the Board of Water Supply was asking for a volunteer water cutback by residents. Yet we are putting in more plants to water and keep watered. The new product they are using to keep the roots from going under the road is "supposed to work." "Supposed to work" are the key words. What will the cost be for the upkeep of the trees and shrubs and the cleanup from the rainbow shower trees?

One area where trees are going in on Farrington Highway needs fences put in. In front of Daiei people jaywalk, putting their lives and motorists' lives in danger. Imagine being a driver and hitting a pedestrian because he can legally jaywalk.

What is next? Where will they waste our money next? Put safety and concern for the community first; don't spend money on something that will end up costing more money.

Soccer clubs will be able to continue on

There has been much speculation as to which sports (if any) the public schools will drop this winter due to budget cuts. Having coached soccer in high school for over 30 years, I hate to think of a year without a state tournament.

The interesting thing is that the clubs (which play the best soccer in the state) will have an opportunity to continue after November. This also means that more players will have the chance to go to major youth tournaments in November and December. The Thanksgiving Nomads tournament in Southern California attracts 75 to 100 college coaches from all over the country, and this is where our players need to be to get exposure.

If the public schools drop soccer (I hope not), I wonder how many young men and women in the private schools will choose to stay with their clubs so they, too, have the same opportunity to play in club tournaments.

Regardless of the decision of the public school administrators, all the young men and women soccer players in Hawai'i will have the chance to continue their game.

Proposed county sales tax is a ruse

Your July 31 editorial on the proposed county sales tax exhibited a dangerous naiveté about how Hawai'i politicians ply their trade. One comment in particular stood out: "Still, there may be some value to this (proposed sales tax). Honolulu would gain about $120 million a year with a 1 percent sales tax while losing that $37.3 million (in hotel room taxes)."

First, Honolulu taxpayers would lose $120 million a year in new taxes extracted from their paychecks, not "gain" them.

Second, who really believes that a 1 percent sales tax would remain at 1 percent? That's a "teaser" rate designed to get the tax on the books, after which it would ratchet up quickly. Remember, the federal income tax started out at 1 percent a century ago.

Third, why on earth should the City Council cede the hotel room taxes to the state? It has the authority to raise property taxes by $120 million a year, or any amount for that matter, so long as its members are willing to face the wrath of the voters.

The only explanation I can think of for this stunt is that the City Council is willing to pay the Legislature a $37 million-a-year bribe so the council can stealthily extract the $120 million a few pennies at a time, rather than in a large and unforgettable lump sum twice a year.

It appears that the City Council members advocating this raw deal think the taxpayers won't see through their shenanigans and toss their sorry okoles out of office next election.

Pali rumble strips creating a hazard

The rumble strips on the Pali Highway are a hazard and distraction.

Drivers do not slow down as intended. Instead, they focus on the strips, often weaving to avoid them, and do not pay proper attention to the traffic light, other cars or pedestrians. Over time, there are likely to be more accidents and injuries than before.

It was a poorly conceived idea and a waste of taxpayers' money. The local residents should insist that they be removed.

There's a better way to elevate Hawaiians

In "Hawaiian programs need new approach" (July 27), Jerry Burris says it's an irony that "the same people who object to any race-based legislation" oppose the Akaka bill, which "seeks to achieve exactly the opposite. It seeks to eliminate the race issue altogether."

To the contrary, the Akaka bill would institutionalize race, not eliminate it. The bill would give this racial group something no American Indian and no U.S. citizen now has: the right to form a brand-new government, where no tribe or quasi-sovereign entity now exists. The new governing entity would then be recognized by the United States, and the transfer of public land and resources to or for it would be negotiated.

Examples of the consequences of racial politics are found throughout human history. All have been tragic both for the victims and ultimately even for the intended beneficiaries. This history tells us the solution:

• Get the government of Hawai'i out of the racial discrimination business. It's out of character for the Aloha State.

• Liberate Hawaiians from the shackles of victimhood and dependency. They don't need it. Half of Hawaiian families in Hawai'i have annual income over $49,200, 13 percent over $100,000, 3.4 percent over $150,000, according to the 2000 Census. Those on the lowest rung have no incentive to climb higher because the bar is lower for them. Set the bar at the same level as for others and they will climb just as everyone else does.

• Set our market economy free to thrive within a framework of rules applicable to all participants equally. Then watch us, Hawaiians and everybody else, do our stuff.

Catchment systems should be mandated

When will O'ahu residents learn to respect the water that falls from the sky by mandating catchment systems for all new construction and retrofitting older buildings with systems that catch and store the rain instead of simply allowing it to go down the drain?

On an overcrowded planet with poorly managed resources, the water board's motto states it eloquently: "Water is our most precious resource."

Band lays foundation for students' future

The two things that kept me out of trouble and focused in school were band and wrestling.

I played Pop Warner football but was too small to play at the JV or varsity level. Good thing that the public school I attended had a wrestling team. I was recruited to wrestle for Pacific University (Oregon), and that motivated me to attend college. I started band in the seventh grade, where I had one of the best teachers in Mr. Stanley Shimada.

I know that most band students do not wish to become band teachers, but band does lay the foundation for success. Both band and athletics teach pride, commitment, discipline, perseverance and teamwork, and it keeps us focused.

Today, I am a band teacher and high school wrestling official. I am glad that I am not a student these days. The increased science credit may force some schools to cut the music or arts elective. Some sports and coaches may be cut due to the budget. When you think about it, our children's futures are at stake.

Volunteers helped make MDA camp success

Each year the Muscular Dystrophy Association holds its annual weeklong summer camp. This year more than 50 campers and 60 volunteers joined together for "University of MDA — Athletics" Summer Camp 2003.

The volunteers cheerfully spent an entire week of their lives, giving up income, vacation time and sleep, to allow campers the opportunity to enjoy their favorite event of the year, MDA Summer Camp. Volunteers were teamed up, one-to-one, with a camper and remained by his or her side 24 hours a day throughout the entire camp session. Laughter and smiles flourished, friendships blossomed and wonderful memories remain.

MDA wishes to thank our small number of volunteers and all of the support received from individuals and businesses in the community. Because of you, this week was made possible.

'On Dragonfly Wings' well worth attending

It was my good fortune to be invited to see "On Dragonfly Wings" at the Hawaii Theatre recently. Our theater here in Hawai'i is very good, but this musical production is absolutely superb and such a wonderfully uplifting experience.

I am continually amazed at all the talent we have in Hawai'i — young and not so young — and as a talent agent, I am sometimes able to help these people get paid work in the TV and movie business. My wish would be that every person in Hawai'i could enjoy this colorful musical with its great message.

I can't mention names — there are too many — but the lead roles in this production are fantastic, and I want to say thank you to 'Ohia Productions and the very many people who made this show what it is. The enthusiasm and sheer joy of each performer on the stage are contagious, and I felt as though I wanted to be up on the stage myself.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the production of "The Wizard of Oz," which is now at Diamond Head Theatre. This is also a very professional and fun show, with wonderful characters. It's ideal entertainment for families of all ages.

We are indeed lucky we live in Hawai'i.

Charge lone drivers

Why is it that after all these years we are still sitting in daily traffic jams? Why isn't something being done? The worst part is that most of these cars on the highways are occupied by only one rider (the driver). Why not charge a toll for all cars with only one driver during peak hours?

State must act now on coral-reef fisheries

I am heartened by the outpouring of editorial support and public reaction to the recent article on the depletion of Hawai'i's coral-reef fisheries by Jan TenBruggencate. This demonstrates that there is a widespread awareness and concern in the community at large for protecting Hawai'i's coral-reef fisheries.

It also reinforces the results of numerous long-term studies by me and many other coral-reef scientists in Hawai'i (Dick Brock, Jim Parrish, Steve Dollar, Eric Hockberg, Marlin Atkinson, Chuck Birkeland, to name a few) that Hawai'i's coral reefs are indeed over-fished.

The remedies are fairly straightforward and easy to list:

• More preserves or "no take" zones.

• ENFORCEMENT (capitalized here to indicate that it is now almost completely non-existent).

• A ban on destructive fishing methods such as gill nets and night scuba spearfishing.

• Culture and restocking programs.

• "No take" artificial reefs.

The state has done far too little to implement any of these options, and it is important that we ask why.

I believe the state wants to do all of these things, but problems stand in the way: lack of funding, lack of personnel and political pressure from the fishing lobbies.

Too often the fishing lobby blames the depletion on pollution. In Hawai'i, pollution can be and is a problem in bays and lagoons where water circulation is confined and runoff from the land is excessive.

It is also important, however, to recognize that a lot of the runoff is natural, especially during storms. In general (and it is dangerous to generalize), human impact from runoff in Hawai'i only negatively impacts about 10 percent of Hawai'i's coral reefs. The other 90 percent are healthy, although over-fished. I caution about generalizing, but generalize we must if we are to take any action or make any decisions.

The pollution myth has held strong fisheries management in Hawai'i in abeyance for at least two decades. The problem, simply put, is just too many fishermen and too few fish, and a complex yet enigmatic reluctance to do anything about it.