Recycle bins unsightly

Coming home from the market recently, I found my street dotted with brilliant blue containers at every mailbox. While I wholeheartedly support recycling, I just hope my neighbors will not put that container out on the street until the day of pickup. Why weren't they ordered in dark green or brown, which would have been less obvious in our island landscaping? Tourists driving through lovely residential neighborhoods may see nothing but ugly blue containers.

Cell phone use should be banned in autos

Distracted drivers on cell phones have become a serious danger on our roads. I witnessed a near collision between two motorists on H-1, both of whom had their phones stuck to their ears and were obviously discussing matters affecting national security. This unnecessary hazard occurred near Pearl City at 10 a.m. while traffic was very light. I hate to think what could have happened if there were more cars nearby.

I recently returned from a trip to the Mainland where I found that most states have laws requiring phone use to be hands-free. I feel that practice is merely a Band-Aid and a total ban on auto cell phone use is warranted. I further propose passing laws that would require enforcement of other distracting auto hazards like the window-rattling mufflers and stereos.

Any arguments against these changes will not hold water. Freedom of choice is one thing, but we all should be free from the dangers associated with these hazards. Buckle up and drive with aloha!

Hawaiian trustee got his facts wrong

In his recent letter, Hawaiian Airlines trustee Josh Gotbaum offers to "set the record straight" but fails miserably.

He states: "We need new labor agreements to exit Chapter 11, but unlike United and USAir, our goal is a fair agreement negotiated at the bargaining table, not imposed by a court. We think that's what Hawaiian's employees want, too — and what they deserve."

First, labor made significant concessions already. Second, the "need" for a new labor agreement is opinion, not fact. Third, regardless of Gotbaum's desired goal of negotiating a "fair agreement," the reorganization plan he is backing asks the judge to dissolve union contracts if labor doesn't give in. Does this sound fair to you?

Last, with barely one year on the property while displaying a ham-handed approach to employee relations, the very last person to know "what Hawaiian employees want" is Josh Gotbaum.

Josh Gotbaum should be ashamed for misrepresenting the "facts" in this manner. However, this is what employees have come to expect.

Good fans? They're at the volleyball games

Take heart, Brad Lee of Kailua ("It's the fans who need to have a head check," Nov. 23), and check out the UH volleyball fans — men's and women's games. Maybe an occasional booing when fans disagree with an official's call, but they are super good sports and will applaud an opponent's efforts because they appreciate a good game.

Win or lose, rain or shine, they'll show up to support our teams.

How often have we heard that volleyball players have chosen UH because of the supportive reputation of our fans? No state can claim a better attendance record nor the warmth we extend to all players. UH volleyball fans behave with passion, tenacity and heart. Football fans, you might learn a thing or two from our volleyball fans.

Volleyball fans still behave with an "old school" mentality.

Regional landfills would be better idea

I'm not happy about the final decision of our next landfill site, Waimanalo Gulch. Why does the Leeward side have to take care of all of O'ahu's trash again?

Here's an idea. Smaller dump sites at each of the major areas — North Shore, Hawai'i Kai, Windward, Leeward, Central and Honolulu. That may not be cost efficient but everyone would take care of his own trash in his own area. There would be less gas spent shipping it to my hometown.

Only the ancestors have reburial rights

The public should disregard the rantings of Hawaiian protesters in the media. We are the true descendants to the Wal-Mart burials. We agreed to have them moved. This parcel is our ancestral land, claimed by Kekaula in 1853, and the land in which the burials were discovered. The burials date from the 1850s.

As ancestors of Kekaula, we come to claim the right to make decisions concerning our kupuna. Because of burial laws, we are obligated to work with families who were once our ancestors' neighbors on how best to reinter our kupuna. These neighbors lived two miles away from our ancestral land. These neighbors, associated with Hui Malama, had personal contact with the governor. Her appointee of the Preservation Division has taken this as her personal duty to actively work against us in favor of the squeaky wheel. Their personal agenda, plausibly for financial gain, does not include the best reinterment process for our kupuna.

We would like to respectfully take care of the remains of our ancestors. The state and others whose ancestors aren't connected to the land shouldn't be allowed to force their newly created traditions on us.

What was the point of 'Jackal' article?

After your Dec. 2 article on the "Jackal," maybe your paper should be renamed al-Jazeera (" 'Jackal' waiting to fight another day," page A8).

It was as if the reporter were writing to an audience of anti-American Arabs and wanted them to know how brave and sacrificial these terrorists were. In spite of the fact that our "cowardly" soldiers are killing 13-year-olds, the "freedom" fighters are resolved to go on. The father speaks proudly of his son and has no regret for his sacrifice. But the father is nearly betrayed by a softening face and a glimmer in his eyes, as if to hold back the tears.

What is the point of the article? To make us feel sympathy for the terrorists? To give a human face to these terrorists? To give up our resolve? What was your point in running the article? These people are terrorists, beheading private citizens who are trying to help Iraqis. And the media make more out of our troops taking naked pictures of prisoners.

Pedestrians have the right of way

Recently I was driving toward Waikiki on Kapahulu Avenue. As I was about to make a right onto the Ala Wai, I noticed a pedestrian patiently waiting at the marked crosswalk, and no one was letting her go. I slowed to let her pass, and the woman behind me began to honk her horn and raise her hands in the air.

To that impatient female driver: Shame on you! Don't you know pedestrians have the right of way, especially at a marked crosswalk? Auwe!