Posted on: Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Letters to the Editor

State paid more for an imported table

On a recent trip to Big Beach on Maui, I noticed a new plastic picnic table. Thinking this might have been made locally from recycled milk jugs, I had a closer look.

Imagine my surprise when I found that the table had come all the way from Cherokee, Iowa.

When I got home, I went to www.pilotrock.com on my computer and found that this bench was manufactured from recycled plastic. Curious, I called up our local recycled plastic processor, Aloha Plastic Recycling, and asked them why one of their benches wasn't sitting down at Makena State Park.

They told me that the local contractor for the Makena project had originally approached them for a price quote on a similar picnic table even though the state bid specifically called for a Pilot Rock table. The contractor felt that he would be able to persuade the state to use a local table rather than have one shipped in from the Mainland.

Aloha Plastic put together a quote for the contractor, and while they were at it, they got a quote from Pilot Rock. The Pilot Rock table, with shipping, was more expensive than the Aloha table. Despite these efforts, the state went ahead and bought the imported table in the end.

My questions are: (1) Why would the state want to pay more for an imported table? And (2), how can the state of Hawai'i say it supports recycling when it is importing recycled plastic furniture?

Regents were right in criticizing Dobelle

The UH Board of Regents should be commended for taking the brave stance in pointing out President Evan Dobelle's shortcomings. Dobelle is a public figure; we have a right to know how he is serving (or not serving) Hawai'i.

The key question is, what has President Dobelle done for UH, besides making empty promises? The evaluation conducted by the Board of Regents only officially documents what most of us already are outraged about. The evaluation aligns itself with the truth in no different a manner than the state auditor's report did last year.

The board is making note of the real issues that have negatively impacted the university, its staff and students — and it is proposing to do something to correct a huge problem that threatens the welfare of higher education in Hawai'i. That's what it is supposed to do.

In the April 3 article about Dobelle's evaluation, Dobelle points to several of his accomplishments and comments: " ... any attempt to evaluate my work would have included discussion of these activities." Perhaps the evaluation did not include it because UHM faculty and staff are responsible for accomplishing those goals — not Dobelle. His vow to fund-raise for the Kaka'ako project has so far resulted in an embarrassing low dollar amount contribution. The success of the project is because of Dean Edwin Cadman and his staff.

Increasing funding of Native Hawaiian programs only came from re-allocation of budget funds (not an influx of new monies). The faculty, clearly, are to be credited for the dramatic increases in federal research money. And an increase in admissions means more students with no added funding to provide adequate student support in and out of the classroom.

How are any of these items his accomplishments?

Hannemann's platform is posted on Web site

Regarding Patrick Stanley's April 11 letter: If Mr. Stanley or anyone else is truly interested in what Mufi Hannemann's platform is for the office of mayor, I would suggest going to his Web site (www.votemufi.com). It is perfectly clear on this site exactly what he plans to accomplish as mayor in his first 100 days in office.

Be it the neighborhood board, City & County of Honolulu or the state of Hawai'i government, all should be working together on economic development, transportation, education and the university. As badly as we need our streets paved, sewers fixed and any number of other things, there has to be a list of priorities. I am sure these things are at the top of Mr. Hannemann's list, but that does not mean he should ignore the other needs of the citizens of the city.

Mufi has always said that before he will start any project, there are three questions that have to be asked and answered yes to: (1) Do we need it? (2) Can we afford it? (3) Can we maintain it?

I have every confidence that those questions will always be foremost with Mufi Hannemann as mayor.

Art show, symphony show we're world class

"Japan & Paris" is the intriguing title of an exhibition opening at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Brilliantly organized by director Stephen Little and the academy staff, this world-class show highlights the period opening the 20th century and some of the world's best-beloved painters of the Paris School of Painting (ranging from Renoir to Picasso) and a group of Japanese art collectors and painters who embraced impressionism and introduced it to Japan: a momentous cross-cultural happening.

Over 50 paintings from 20-some museums throughout Japan are beautifully displayed in several academy galleries with interesting texts and comments. The richly illustrated catalog states that this event is unique in the world: After it closes, all the paintings will be returned to Japan. So don't miss this opportunity. I am certain that art lovers from all over the world will come here for this occasion.

Honolulu is making a powerful statement about our cultural maturity.

And just a few days ago, a pair of concerts by the Honolulu Symphony featured another world-class production: its rendition of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," to standing ovations. On stage, a maximum-capacity orchestra, with over 200 singers, all under the masterful direction of Karen Kennedy, included choristers from Japan and the boys' choir from Cincinnati.

Can anyone doubt that we live in the crossroads of the Pacific?

Tickets for running red lights essential

Having lived and traveled in countries with red-light cameras, I can notice the difference here. On approaching an intersection, I had the green light and the car in front was already over before an SUV passed between us. I braked, honked the horn, and she smiled and waved her cell phone and continued.

A ticket for running the red light, for that driver, might make the difference in someone's future. In the back of the SUV were at least six young children in sporting outfits, and we know that kids learn fast.

The lesson she passed on to them in that fraction of time was that it was OK to run a light if you smile and wave your phone at the other driver — but, in my mind, she taught these future drivers how to kill or be killed, and who knows to how many of your children will this very helpful soccer mom teach the same lesson too before we do something to teach her.

Sunset on Beach film outstanding success

Last week we were honored to have our film "Sumo East and West" screened at Sunset on the Beach as part of the Hawai'i International Film Festival's Spring Fling, co-sponsored by Pacific Islanders in Communications and the city of Honolulu ("Following the trying path to be yokozuna," April 2).

Since our world premiere last May, we have had many screenings around the country, but this was by far the most special and most memorable. Indeed, with 6,000 to 8,000 people in attendance, more people saw "Sumo" at Sunset on the Beach than at all our previous screenings combined. Nowhere have we encountered such wonderful hospitality, or such a receptive audience. The venue was particularly appropriate since the film is about the groundbreaking achievements of Hawai'i-born athletes in this ancient Japanese sport.

Sunset on the Beach is a remarkable event not found in any other municipality in the United States. We wish to thank HIFF, PIC, the city of Honolulu and everyone who came out for an evening of film, food and fun. We sincerely hope that the city will continue to fund Sunset on the Beach in the future. We would be honored and delighted to show our work there.

Thank you again.

Despite beauty along Wai'anae, facelift needed

There is no doubt that the Wai'anae Coast is beautiful. From Kahe Point all the way to Yokohama Bay and on to Ka'ena Point, one is smitten by the beauty of nature. More so when you drive toward the sunset and the weather is clear.

Ihilani Resort is just one of the nice resorts in the area. The revamping of Makaha resorts is now being contemplated. But when are we going to beautify this stretch of beauty? Farrington Highway is full of potholes, and the beaches are littered with homeless shelters with plastic tents right by the freeway, with clothes and so many unsightly and ugly things hanging to dry.

Farther up by Yokohama Bay, one can smell the stench of dead animals and all kinds of feces.

I live on the Leeward side, but I go to the North Shore to enjoy the beach and tranquility of nature instead of the Leeward Coast. A pity.

Solution to carnage?

Paul Flentge's Island Voices column of April 9, "Increase speed limit to 70 mph," informs us that Hawai'i's Legislature is "ignoring the fact that slow does not equal safe" and " ... the 55-mph speed limit may be the cause rather than a cure for speeding."

Is that your newspaper's contribution to the solution for the problem of the carnage on the roads of Hawai'i?

More dog parks needed

I go to Hanahau'oli School. I am 9 years old, and I think we should make a safe dog park in every neighborhood where all sizes of dogs can play safely. This way people who do not have dogs can go and ask people about their dog if they want that kind of dog. Thank you for your time.

Wai'anae High: nowhere to run

I am a senior at Wai'anae High School in my fourth year as a member of Searider Productions. I am also the captain of my track and field team — a team that has had to suffer for over a year now, along with many other athletic teams at our school. We aren't suffering a lack of talent; on the contrary, this year's team is brimming with potential. We are suffering a lack of attention from the state and city.

Probably the most important piece of equipment for a track and field team, the track itself, is something we've had to do without since the 2002 football season. Let me explain. During a JV football game in 2002, Wai'anae hosted Kaimuki. During the game, one of Kaimuki's players was injured. A city fire truck responded to the emergency. As the fire truck drove around to the backside of our track, it passed the first bridge over our school's stream. The stream runs under two sections of our track. As the truck passed over the second bridge, it collapsed, leaving a hole roughly 15 feet by 20 feet that gets bigger at a consistent rate. The hole remains to this day.

Now that you know the situation, I ask these questions: Why has this hole remained for over a year? Can you do something to help us? Our other problems are:

• The JV locker room my team uses during the season is filthy, old and disgusting.
• The bleachers on the home-crowd side of the football field are near a point of disintegration. I believe the top six rows of the bleachers are off-limits because the supports holding them up are not as strong as they once were. These rows sit directly above the varsity locker room, the public bathrooms, the weight room, trainer's office and the walkway linking them all. So basically, they could fall in at any time.
• The equipment we use — hurdles, blocks, etc. — are quickly becoming obsolete. The blocks are not regulation for the OIA, and the hurdles we use are hand-me-downs from Waipahu High School.

So those are the problems we are facing right now. You can imagine how difficult it is to prepare for a track meet without a full track to run on. I can't stress enough how much it would help to be able to run a 400 or a 4-by-100 relay without having to chop the distance down or turn around halfway and run back.

Because my season is already in session, I think it's too late for a change this year. However, as a student and resident of Wai'anae, it would be wonderful to see next year's team and all that come after it have a track to run on and adequate equipment to use.