Letters to the Editor

In all the uproar over Richard Clarke's testimony to the 9/11 commission, I think we're missing the larger issue.

The finger-pointing is now all on whether the Bush administration focused on the terror threat prior to the attacks on 9/11. But in President Bush's own words, as quoted in Bob Woodward's book "Bush at War," Bush did not feel a "sense of urgency" about terrorism at the time prior to 9/11.

The world has changed since then, but the real question is, what has been done since that time to make us safer? Was Iraq the main front on the war on terrorism? Or was it a needless side trip that diverted resources and focus away from our true enemy?

Going forward, this is the question we need to answer.

Solution is recycling, not another landfill

I attended the public hearing on the possible use of Kapa'a Quarry for a sanitary landfill (garbage dump). I earnestly hope the five council members and their experts were listening carefully.

There was no "No dump in my neighborhood" heard. Those who testified provided sound ecological, economic, social and safety reasons to reject this site. But, the most compelling message was that the city should not even be considering any site when there are much better alternatives to the problem of solid waste.

O'ahu must have mandatory recycling. There are plenty good models on the Mainland that work to reduce the volume that must be buried. O'ahu has had success with H-Power. It must be expanded or additional sites built to reduce the cost of hauling. O'ahu needs a plastic recycling plant. There are many wonderful products that not only reduce solid waste but also reduce the need to cut down trees for lumber. Act 221 should be used to encourage this plant. Green waste should be made into mulch.

I am a resident of Pohai Nani Retirement Community, which is just over the hill from this site. We recycle glass, paper and plastic as responsible citizens in our community. I sincerely hope we will not have to change our name, which means "Surrounded by Beauty," to Pohai 'Opala (Surrounded by Garbage).

History doesn't support the blaming of the Jews

Your boxed letter of March 25 about Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" indiscriminately blames "the Jews" for the crucifixion of Jesus. But Jesus lived in a fully Jewish society except for the Roman rulers.

All the people in the New Testament, for example, are Jewish. The Jewish population included those who followed Jesus, those who opposed him, the majority who had no opinion either way, and of course Jesus himself.Ê

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor appointed by the emperor in Rome, was a cruel, tyrannical despot. In addition to the crucifixion of Jesus, he ordered many hundreds of Jews to be crucified. The Jewish high priest, Caiaphas, who called for Jesus' execution, was not the choice of the Jews and did not represent them. He was appointed by Pontius Pilate and was dependent on Pontius Pilate to retain his position.

Many who have seen the movie found it to be an intense religious experience. Fuller appreciation of where Mel Gibson's dynamic vision differs from historical knowledge can be found on Boston College's Web site: www.bc.edu/research. Boston College is a leading Roman Catholic educational institution.

Long-term-care beds critical problem on Maui

Maui has a serious deficit of long-term-care beds, and the problem is growing.

Within the next 25 years, long-term-care needs will triple on Maui as baby boomers age. Currently, 35 to 50 elderly patients are wait-listed at Maui Memorial Medical Center at an estimated cost of $5 million to $8 million a year.

In 2003, $3.7 million for planning was allocated by the state Legislature for the Kulamalu Assisted Living/Nursing Facility. This facility would provide 110 affordable long-term-care beds for Maui's elderly. Unfortunately, funds for completion of the Kulamalu Nursing Facility have not been included in this year's House of Representatives state budget proposal. This is a devastating blow to Maui's healthcare.

Without these much-needed long-term-care beds, all of Maui's residents will suffer. The lack of long-term-care beds slows access to acute hospital care on Maui and is extremely costly for taxpayers. It is imperative for our state legislators to support the Kulamalu Nursing Facility through SB 2098. It is crucial for Maui's burgeoning population of elderly.

Funding no problem

Let's get on with the construction of a monorail or light-rail system.

We should have no problem financing it with the profits from the Convention Center, the van cam program or the money saved by the automated pothole patcher.

Possibly we could use some of the the tax windfall revenue from the flourishing Act 221 businesses.