California proved the need for prudence

Former Democratic Sen. Bob Nakata has recommended ramping up state spending, in line with increased revenue collections (Letters, July 26). He says, "While there is a need for fiscal prudence, this is a time to begin meeting unmet needs," and goes on to list specific programs that could benefit from the new money.

Many of us are aware of the serious financial crisis still hurting California. The crisis began in the late 1990s under since-recalled Democratic Gov. Gray Davis who, to assure his re-election, took every "surplus" dollar and plowed it into new spending, thus leaving the state bankrupt when its economy took a sudden downturn.

Now Nakata wants to do the same thing to Hawai'i? Fortunately, we have in Gov. Linda Lingle a leader who has no intention of following the Nakata-Davis Road to Perdition.

Cruising is frowned upon in passing lane

B.G. Judson's July 26 letter, which states that there is no law requiring cars to stay in the right lane unless passing, is incorrect. The fact that his source for this was a police officer shows just how ignorant Hawai'i drivers are about this common-sense issue, especially those with commercial driver's licenses. Hawai'i State Law 291C-41b follows the Uniform Vehicle Code and reads:

"Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway."

Much of the off-hour traffic that I encounter on the Likelike and Pali highways is not traffic at all. It is caused by people cruising in the passing lane at the same speed as the car in the right lane. If you want to cruise, fine, just don't do it in the passing lane. If you don't want people tailgating you, get out of the passing lane so they can go by and you will both be happy.

Oh, and by the way, try using your turn signal before you change lanes.

Let firing fiasco be lesson to improve

We have separated the dumbbells from the Dobelles with this university president firing fiasco. This is an object lesson on why we need to improve our educational system. Let's hope that Dr. Dobelle's research services have more value than his "service" as president.

Justice for Dobelle

Well, justice has been served for Evan Dobelle. A lesson, perhaps, for the individuals who caused the resulting brouhaha, to realize that wielding their power indiscriminately has backfired.

Our money could have been put to better use

Nice to see the Dobelle matter has been settled for $1 million in cash, among other compensation, and we can look forward to stability at the university.

In hindsight, we could have hired a local hero like Skippa Diaz to work as president for about $50,000 a year. Then we could have taken the extra million dollars and armed Skippa with a hundred $10,000 scholarships for kids in the neighborhood who needed it. We could be sure that Skippa would stay home and connect with the youth who need it. Of course, I am not an educator ... so what do I know, anyway.

Not hurting feelings regarded above safety

Recently, on a Mainland trip, I curiously watched as a federal agent at the airport searched and patted down my 10-year-old, blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter. She seemed a little frightened by the whole experience, and afterward I tried to explain to her that it was necessary to ensure no one was carrying anything unsafe on the plane.

Then, as I continued to watch, I noticed at least three Middle-Eastern-looking gentlemen pass by security without as much as a second look. Since this scenario made no apparent sense, I decided to clear things up by asking an agent what gives.

When I inquired as to why Middle-Eastern-looking men were being given unchecked access and small girls were being stopped, the agent enlightened me: for each flight, only two people of Middle-Eastern ancestry could be pulled out of line for a secondary search. Federal law protects these people from being discriminated against.

So I learned that while billions of dollars are being squandered on national security, and our skies are still not safe, at least we won't hurt any Middle-Eastern person's feelings. What a country.

Ideal spot is parcel near Kahekili, Likelike

And here's the solution to Sherrie Miller's plea for a Bark Park in Kane'ohe (July 30 letter). I love animals and think dog parks are a great idea, even though I presently don't have any pets whatsoever (so long as we don't count the centipedes, termites and cockroaches that are all over my place).

I have wondered what the government was going to do with that parcel of land in the traffic loop where Kahekili Highway travelers heading toward Kailua have to circle around to get on Likelike Highway going east. It looks to be around one or two acres in size.

Right now, it is wasted land. I think it would make a perfect Bark Park. All that is needed is a small parking area for about a dozen cars and a fence around the whole parcel. It is completely away from any housing or other properties.

Trouble is, the dog parks are a city matter and the land I am talking about is probably state-owned. But gee, there is only one set of taxpayers supporting both (and the Feds to boot). Why can't they get along and cooperate on making this into a badly needed Bark Park?

Army document fails to address our sovereignty

The capacious three-volume final environmental impact statement prepared to support the U.S. Army transformation of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, is extremely comprehensive, containing thousands of pages to assist in justifying the Army's proposal, but the document fails to address the most fundamental of all issues, lawful authority.

Lawful authority to provide access to the lands sought by the Army to expand its military training activity in Hawai'i does not exist. The U.S. and state governments' occupation of Hawai'i remains unresolved, and due to circumstances beyond the control of the sovereign interests of Hawai'i, restoration of the lawful sovereign government of Hawai'i is not yet complete; therefore, no entity or agent exists to grant the Army permission to further encroach upon the national lands of Hawai'i.

In addition, existing encroachments must be resolved before any new proposals such as this now proposed by the Army may be considered. I direct your attention to U.S. Public Law 103-150, containing the official findings of fact and law of the U.S. Congress regarding Hawai'i. Please pay particular attention to the language of U.S. Public Law 103-150, which states, "Native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national lands to the United States."

The United States allegedly "ceded" Hawai'i crown, national and public lands to the state of Hawai'i government, but as we see under U.S. Public Law 103-150, this was not lawfully possible.

As one of the hundreds of thousands of individuals within whom the inherent sovereign authority of Hawai'i is found, I respectfully request that the Army resubmit its proposal after the matters briefly described above have been resolved.

It is with great hope that as the United States moves forward with ending its occupation of the sovereign nation of Iraq, it will also resolve to end the 111-year belligerent occupation of Hawai'i so that we may move forward and away from the dark history of the past. I look forward to the day when our nations begin rebuilding the relationship of mutual trust and respect we once shared.

Ignore the Waikiki naysayers

Kalakaua Avenue was ugly and in great need of beautification efforts. It offered tourists little and locals less.

The mayor and others drew up plans to beautify that area, but cries of anguished residents rose to the heavens. "Our neighborhood will be ruined, our streets will be forever congested, our traffic will slow down and our parking will be disrupted," they cried.

Soon, shortsighted politicians said, "We feel your pain — we have to shut the project down."

The mayor persisted, and Kalakaua Avenue became beautiful. Now tourists and locals enjoy the green trees, wide sidewalks, the (urban) rushing waters, the hula performances on the shore and the beach brunches and fun movies. Shoulder to shoulder, locals and tourists enjoy the improvements. And the shortsighted politicians and critics have moved inland.

Now the ugly Kuhio Avenue is in great need of beautification efforts. It offers tourists little and locals less. The mayor and others have drawn up plans to beautify that street, and again cries of anguished residents arise to the heavens. "Our neighborhood will be ruined, our streets will be forever congested, our traffic will slow down and our parking will be disrupted," they say.

And again the shortsighted politicians can be heard to say, "We feel your pain — we have to shut the project down."

Fortunately, the mayor has persisted, and Kuhio Avenue will soon be more beautiful. Tourists and locals will enjoy the large shade trees along the street, the wider sidewalks and the other improvements. Kuhio Avenue will no longer be ugly, and the shortsighted politicians and critics will move inland.

Parts of the Ala Wai Boulevard are very ugly. Sidewalks are broken, and mice and rats abound. It has received a few recent improvements but remains principally a highway to get out of Waikiki and a parking lot for condo owners. Much more can be done to enhance the beauty of the area for tourists and locals alike.

Once again the mayor and others have made plans to beautify this street. The cries of anguished residents have begun to arise again. "Our neighborhood will be ruined, our streets will be congested, our traffic will slow down and our parking will be disrupted," they cry. And again the shortsighted politicians can be heard to say, "We feel your pain — we have to shut the project down."

Hopefully, the mayor will persist and we will soon see enhanced beauty along Ala Wai Boulevard, fewer mice and rats, better bike paths, etc. Then the shortsighted politicians and critics can move inland and begin protecting a truly ugly street (Young Street) from those fearful beautification terrorists.