Letters to the Editor

Save runoff water with mini-reservoirs

There are a number of ways that water conservation can be enhanced. First, where the land has the ability to absorb the water, we should take advantage of that.

I live on Round Top, where the land is mostly "black sand" and all of the houses have septic tanks. The land provides good filtration, and the water goes back into the underground reserves. During heavy rains, streams allow the water to run to the sea. Why not make mini-reservoirs that would allow the water to seep into the ground?

Also, in addition to making a mess of the roads, I don't think that sewer systems make the most efficient use of this resource.

Arbitrators must weigh financial conditions

The HGEA Bargaining Unit 13 (professional and scientific employees) negotiating team takes strong exception to the July 16 letter by Mike Bottema. Unfortunately, Mr. Bottema's views distort reality and are an unwarranted attack on public employees.

As public employees on HGEA's Unit 13 negotiating team, we have made every effort to settle the contract at the table. We repeatedly asked to meet with the employer, we offered reasonable proposals and we remained patient. The employer responded by refusing to seriously consider any cost proposals and stalling negotiations. We did not want a repeat of 1994, when the employer's refusal to negotiate seriously and in good faith forced a statewide strike that disrupted lives and businesses. That's why we supported restoring binding arbitration and let the community know what was at stake.

Mr. Bottema assumes that we will be awarded a salary increase through binding arbitration. Clearly he is unaware that the law requires the arbitration panel to consider 10 factors, including:

• The financial ability of the employer to meet the cost of the arbitration award. The panel cannot consider the employer's ability to increase or impose new taxes, fees or charges, or develop other sources of revenue.

• The present and future economic conditions of the state and counties.

• A comparison of wages, hours and other employment benefits of public employees versus the private sector.

• The interests and welfare of the public.

Let's fix the existing lifeguard towers first

In response to building more lifeguard towers: How about fixing the existing lifeguard towers first? They are weather- and termite-damaged and still in use.

The men and women of the Water Safety Division risk their lives every day for people like you and me. It is sad that some of them have to risk their lives while climbing into the towers they work in.

A family member of mine fell through the tower floor at Ke Waena Beach Park back in June and had to be rescued. Now there is one less lifeguard on the beaches of O'ahu.

Ford Island should host new visitors center

If a new Arizona Memorial Visitors Center has to be built, I hope the Navy and the National Park Service will consider locating the new center at Ford Island.

I advocated that idea when I was deputy public affairs officer at Pearl Harbor Naval Base. It was not considered feasible when the center was built in 1980 because a ferry and small boats were the only means of transportation to Ford Island at that time.

That problem no longer exists now that a bridge goes to Ford Island, taking visitors to the USS Missouri by trolley every seven minutes from the Bowfin Memorial adjacent to the present Arizona Visitor Center.

A catwalk or a small bridge could be built from the Ford Island shoreline to the Arizona Memorial so that visitors could go aboard at their leisure. No boats would be needed, freeing the boat crews for their primary duties and saving the Navy thousands of dollars every year. The twin sites of the Missouri and Arizona Memorial Visitor Center would be historical bookends.

We need to be more proactive about trash

I have been living on O'ahu for over six months and am deeply disturbed by the amount of litter I see. I have also witnessed numerous motorists throwing trash out of their window. This is appalling.

Can we not appeal to the conscience of every person who lives here? We all have a moral and civic responsibility to keep this island beautiful. To keep our planet beautiful.

It's not enough to send out volunteers to pick up trash on a Saturday afternoon. We have to stop the trash. We need to be more proactive. We need more trash cans on street corners downtown. We need to go into the schools and make the children more aware of what we are ruining.

Give a hoot, don't pollute.

HVCB money should pay for improvements

I applaud Penny Guinn's assessment of the HVCB ("Promoting tourism to Hawai'i is redundant," Letters, July 21).

Although limited funding could be useful in promoting the Islands in places less familiar with Hawai'i but with a growing middle class, such as China and Taiwan, marketing in Japan, Europe and the Mainland is redundant. Returning visitors, pleased with their experience, provide all the "buzz" needed. Yet this free promotion depends entirely on visitor satisfaction, which should now be the primary focus of the HVCB (if it must exist).

Hawai'i's sheer physical beauty and simple lifestyle, as well as its reputation as a welcoming place, have long made the Islands attractive to visitors. But increased traffic, expense, crowds, a less healthy reef and litter not only make residents tense, but alter visitor perceptions of Hawai'i for the worse.

Let the HVCB use the bulk of its money to fund infrastructural improvement and innovative projects statewide to make Hawai'i a better place for tourists and residents alike. A relaxed, clean and well-managed Hawai'i will ensure positive word-of-mouth endorsements and is the best promotional tool available.

HIG is not increasing its hurricane rates

Regarding the July 28 article by Deborah Adamson announcing that hurricane insurance rates are increasing: Our company, The Hawaiian Insurance & Guaranty Co. (HIG), will not be increasing our hurricane rates.

We are one of the top five insurance companies in Hawai'i that provide homeowners and dwelling insurance statewide. In addition, we are one of the few companies in Hawai'i that provide complete hurricane insurance that will replace the home to its same like and kind (as it was prior to the hurricane). We have renewed our reinsurance agreements and have the capacity to continue growing and protecting the homeowners in the state.

I am hopeful that this will bring a brighter light to the depressing article in Sunday's paper.