Posted on: Friday, October 3, 2003

Letters to the Editor

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'Circle of reliability' subject to problems

I find it difficult to believe that a company as big as Hawaiian Electric Co. needs the community to tell HECO how to get things done well.

After the Northeast blackout last month, HECO should get wise. That great expanse that went black is because all the lines were connected. It was a complete circle. The reliability factor just didn't work. HECO's "circle of reliability" would be no different.

HECO states they "take our responsibility to provide reliable, affordable power very, very seriously." I don't get this. HECO is dependent on the cost per barrel of oil or having an entire system connected. How can that be responsible or reliable?

HECO's effort to get public input is a farce. In 1997, the Community Advisory Committee presented HECO with a page full of input, recommendation and request. HECO has yet to follow up on the finding of that 1997 effort.

The way HECO misled a landowner to sell his land to HECO, is the precedent that HECO set for itself in creating this attitude of distrust.

On BRT, city listened to concerned citizens

As a longtime member of the Downtown Neighborhood Board, I have to take issue with the whole tenor of Cliff Slater's opinions about Bus Rapid Transit. He makes it sound as if the city has refused to listen to the communities that will be affected by Bus Rapid Transit. If our experience downtown is any indication, nothing could be further from the truth.

The city came to the Downtown Neighborhood Board years ago asking us for our input. More than one board member had concerns about the original BRT plan. The city worked with the board and downtown residents and businesses and made substantive changes to the original BRT plan. The route through our board area was modified, and BRT stop and transit locations were changed or eliminated at the board's request. The city also worked with local businesses that had concerns about street parking.

I have had my beefs with the Harris administration, but I really think it is getting a bum rap on BRT. Traffic in the Downtown Neighborhood Board district is terrible. Bus Rapid Transit is not perfect, but unless we want a tax increase, it is the best we are going to do.

North Shore is facing development nightmare

Not again! With the ongoing fiasco of the Hokuli'a development on the Big Island, we now learn that "Hokuli'a II" (my coinage) could be happening right here on the North Shore of O'ahu.

D.G. "Andy" Anderson and other bidders are seeking to quietly acquire the North Shore's Pupukea-Paumalu's 1,100 acres. This extraordinary and pristine 'aina effectively extends from Waimea Valley to the satellite stations at Kahuku and encompasses two state water reserves, four major tributary streams, significant Hawaiian sites, endemic plants and spectacular scenic outlooks of all of the North Shore and its world-renowned surfing, itself an important economic engine.

The developers, should they successfully purchase Pupukea-Paumalu, would subdivide this land into hundreds of lots for the construction of private luxury homes, creating yet another gated community and forever closing the ahupua'a to the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of Hawai'i residents and visitors from around the world.

We simply cannot allow the inappropriate development of our dwindling natural resources to continue, and therefore a land trust, with public and private assistance, should explore purchasing the property and conveying it to a charitable organization or government agency that would protect it in perpetuity.

If we don't act now in championing the land trust concept, we're going to see "Hokuli'a II," or worse, sprawling across the North Shore like some Orange County, Calif., subdivision.

The governor, the Land Use Commission, the mayor and City Council and our legislators need to endorse land trusts as a means to preserve the 'aina, so that our rare coastal resources, such as Pupukea-Paumalu, are not sold to the few at the expense of the many.

U.S. treaties with Hawai'i still in effect

In his attempt to justify his and his co-plaintiffs' attack on Hawaiian programs, Earl Arakaki says "in the end there can be no arguments that justify violations of the U.S. Constitution." (Focus commentary, Sept. 28).

I agree.

I suggest, however, that they start with Article VI, Section 2: " ... all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land."

U.S. treaties of "perpetual peace and amity" with the multi-racial country of Hawai'i were never lawfully abrogated, and the treaty of annexation was never ratified.

If they want to uphold the Constitution, and support civil and political rights regardless of race, they should fight for Hawai'i's independence.

How is money spent on student housing?

The cost of UH student housing has risen by 5 percent in the last two years. In the next year, the cost will increase an additional 5 percent. By the year 2004, students will be burdened by a 15 percent increase in the cost for their half of a two-person room.

In light of these increases, scarce state funding and Student Housing's millions of dollars of debt, students deserve to know how their money is being spent. Recent projects should be followed by an audit by the attorney general, assessing all Housing Services contracts and expenses for accuracy and competitive bidding. This should extend to projects such as the Internet installation last fall by Verizon, the new Hale Aloha Cafeteria renovation and the new systemwide housing program called Affiliated Student Housing, which began last year when the Continental Surf/Kuhio Village Resort was used as a residence for students.

Students, who shoulder the majority of costs for these services should be assured that they are getting the most for their money.

What's with the interest? Where do we draw the line?

Weeds, plants are marring the H-3 Freeway

Well, it looks as if Linda Lingle's new beginning has not made it to the H-3 Freeway yet.

The freeway is far from being well-groomed, and with all the weeds and plants growing on and around it, it is beginning to look like a neglected freeway in the slums of L.A. They close the road down in one direction about every six months to do something (who knows what), which would be a perfect time to get out there and scrape up the weeds and plants that are growing out of the center dividers and roadways.

Not only are these plants shabby-looking, I'm sure they are cracking the cement and things of that nature, but, hey, there are more federal dollars to waste on that, right?

Why not bring the bus to elderly passengers?

Driving on the Pali Highway, I have noticed many changes lately. The changes have been directed to the safety of the senior citizens attempting to cross the highway. I believe that most of the pedestrians are attempting to cross the highway on the way to or from the bus stops when they encounter difficulties.

If the object is to get the pedestrians safely on the bus, why not get the bus to the pedestrians? During the non-rush hour, the Dowsett bus going to Pali Drive could make a wide loop between Niolopa Place and Wood Street to stop on either side of the highway before resuming the original direction of travel.

I believe the newly added traffic lights at the various intersections geared to the pedestrian crossing have slowed the traffic flow considerably. I think that normal flow of traffic can be resumed. Rumble strips can be eliminated. Why not give this a try?

It's the parents' job

I quote the first sentence of Charlene Eubanks Close's Oct. 1 letter: "I am writing because it concerns me greatly that kids ranging from infant to age 3 are not able to attend early childhood educational programs."

Absurd! Babies develop socially, emotionally and ethically by proper parenting.

UH reform movement needs Dobelle backing

Recently, UH Chancellor Peter Englert has come out standing for reform. He took the necessary step of removing housing director Darryl Zehner from his position. This move has been highly supported by the student body. Students want reform at UH now! Zehner supporters are now trying to stop the process.

Where is President Dobelle? He came into UH as a reformer, giving big salaries to his people. President Dobelle should publicly support the reform movement that he started.

We also hope that the UH Board of Regents and others in Hawai'i support reform for students at UH.

Motorcycle, bicycle riding dangerous here

The wife and I moved to Hawai'i 10 years ago. We shipped our large motorcycles with us so we could ride in this beautiful weather. On the Mainland we rode our bikes for 30 years without an accident, and after moving here, we didn't ride our motorcycles once for fear of being run down. We soon sold them.

We now have bicycles that we ride on the sidewalks for fear of being run down by the bad driver, and it makes me sad to know that we no longer can be bikers out of fear, because we loved it so.

There's a better way to handle bus passes

Like other holders of two-year senior bus passes, I have been waiting to find out how we will be reimbursed for the remaining months on our pass.

The solution given in Wednesday's paper seems too complicated. For those of us who will be buying the one-year pass, why not allow $1 per month for the remaining months on the old pass (we paid $25 for 24 months) plus $1 for the month of the bus strike and deduct that amount from the cost of the new pass?

For example, my pass expires at the end of July 2004. When I buy my new pass, I would turn in my old pass, pay $30 less the $10 deduction, or $20. No forms to fill out, no rebate checks — what could be simpler?

Ban on kiteboarding would be devastating

As a frequent visitor to Maui to windsurf for the past nine years, I find it extremely distressing to find that kiteboarding may be banned on the North Shore.

I recently learned this wonderful sport here in San Francisco and am eager to try it at my favorite vacation spot. Unfortunately, the proposed ban has caused me to rethink where I'll take my next vacation, and I might end up going to Baja or Texas, more kite-friendly destinations. Typically, my family and I spend about $4,000 to $5,000 during a nine- to 10-day stay, and I and other vacationing kiters will likely be spending this money elsewhere.

I understand that local groups are working to keep this area open by posting policing signs. Please support them. I can't think of a more desirable place to engage in this sport; it would be a tragedy to see it banned on the North Shore.