Tuxedos are very much part of wedding

Paula Rath really misses the mark in her July 14 story "Toss the tux." In the first place, weddings are most assuredly not "typically all about the bride and what she is wearing."

For me and my wife, it was about a celebration of life, a pledge to each another, a commemoration of marriage by bringing together family and friends to witness our union and to share our joy. We also shared excellent food and drink and merriment. It was a life event.

I felt comfortable in a rented light-weight tropical wool tuxedo. I felt appropriately dressed with my bride wearing a full-length formal gown. I would never have considered wearing a suit.

Contrary to Rath's assertion that I had nothing to show for it after returning the rented tuxedo, the lovely photographs of our wedding are cherished reminders of that great time in our lives, an event that took place in the full light of day, not at night, as she asserts is the only time for a tux.

Next time Rath writes an article, she might care to interview a more complete range of interested parties and not just present one limited view — in this case that of a suit peddler with an economic ax to grind. That, I think, would be suitable.

Elderly bicyclist was an inspiration

I arrived in Honolulu in July 2003, and shortly thereafter on a morning trip into town, I saw this physically challenged elderly gentleman laboriously pedaling a three-wheeled vehicle along Kalaniana'ole Highway. I thought to myself, what a hero this man must be to his family.

Little did I know the first time I saw him that he would play a major role in my life.

I observed him many times after that, and each time a strong, warm feeling swelled inside me. Here was a person who, by any argument, could rightfully while away his remaining years in front of the television set bemoaning his misfortune.

I thought of the apparently physically sound people on street corners and sidewalks begging for handouts. What is the compelling difference that enables this three-wheeled "Lance Armstrong" to daily strive to be meaningful?

In January 2004, I experienced a disabling brain hemorrhage resulting in a stroke. In the following days as I struggled to see and organize reasonable thoughts or have physical control, I thought of my hero, and he became my inspiration to become whole again.

Long story short, it is now six months later and I am close to normal again. I know my daily thoughts of this man fed my soul and body and enabled me to recover.

There's one more candidate in the 2nd

Because I read David Shapiro regularly to partake of his wit and wisdom, I was surprised and disappointed that his July 14 column seemed to be attempting to tell the story of the 2nd U.S. Congressional District race ... without once mentioning the name or even existence of my favorite candidate: Dr. Inam Rahman.

Dr. Rahman, who is running against Mike Gabbard in the GOP primary, is offering a choice for Republicans in the 2nd District, comprising Leeward and Windward O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands. A practicing physician here for 12 years, he is president-elect of the Hawai'i Medical Association, and president of Hawai'i Prescription Care, a nonprofit providing low- and no-cost medications for the needy.

Dr. Rahman has already attracted quite a large following for his sensible stand on the issues, particularly in the health field. He also is deeply interested in transportation alternatives and in agricultural protection.

Those interested are encouraged to visit his Web site at inamrahmanforcongress.com or call him: 945-3636.

This guy is a breath of fresh air and a welcome change from politics-as-usual. Check him out.

Freeway conditions much better, thank you

I've noticed the conditions of the freeways, H-1, H-2, H-3, and off- and on-ramps, are not only better paved, but they look very professionally completed. Which tells me that there was a lot of pride, professionalism and aloha put into those efforts.

Instead of some roadwork crews taking it easy, milking the job and hourly wage, you stepped up to the challenge and answered the call to make the roads safe and pleasant to drive on. I'm sure our vehicles thank you as well.

Wana'ao Road project is waste of our money

Regarding the Department of Transportation's Wana'ao Road traffic-calming project: This project was most indiscreetly planned by a few individuals who reside on, of all places, Wana'ao Road.

It could easily cost taxpayers up to $500,000, figuring in the reconstruction of the project after the sewer project of Wana'ao Road takes place in about 15 months, plus the interest on the bonds to finance these projects.

What Kailua and the rest of O'ahu really need is road resurfacing and not taxpayer money being wasted on temporary and frivolous exercises.

Why does the DOT want so desperately to proceed with this work?

Separate EMS fund should be established

The recent increase in car registration fees to help support the emergency medical services in Hawai'i is a wrong way to do it.

Currently, the monies collected from the patients who use EMS in an emergency either by insurance claims or cash is deposited into the state's General Fund. I have said many times that the state should create an EMS fund into which all or a big part of the monies collected be deposited.

If a part of the monies collected has to go somewhere, then let 80 percent to 90 percent go to the EMS fund and the balance to the General Fund. That way, the EMS system can best be supported without the worry of increasing fees to the already high cost of car registration.

The fee increase to cell phone bills is a definite blessing; anyone with a cell phone can call 911 and request help.

Put prisoners to work cleaning highways

First, while driving, observe the absolute filth that lines our highways. Examples: H-2 and H-1 freeways along the Pearl Harbor area and Waipahu area. I'm sure other places are in the same condition.

Second, experience the disgust, then call your legislator.

I have just returned from Albuquerque, N.M., and have witnessed the cleanest highways. I saw incarcerated personnel picking up the trash on the side of the roads. According to my legislator, this policy exists here, and an example of that is the recent cleanup of Kailua Beach.

Let's all call our legislators.

Kalakaua statue isn't being maintained

The statue of King David Kalakaua at the entrance to Waikiki is very impressive until you begin to look at the details of the mini-park. Seeing these details every day is so discouraging. The pool of water that should be flowing around the statue is polluted because it doesn't operate as it should.

City officials may pay attention to other parks with statues, but why not the main landmark to the heart of our main tourist area? It really is a shame the people who presently take care of the park are either never there or do such a minimum of caretaking that it looks like a disgrace to anyone who frequents the park.

If the folks who get paid to take care of the park cannot, then get a volunteer. What would King David Kalakaua think of his park if he were alive today?

Warsaw Ghetto wall analogy inaccurate

I was disturbed by your July 12 editorial in which you compare Israel's West Bank barrier to the walls of the Warsaw Ghetto.

The Advertiser admits that one purpose of the West Bank wall is to protect Israeli citizens from attack. The Nazis were under no threat from the Jews they walled in to the Warsaw Ghetto. It was a prelude to the extermination of hundreds of thousands of people. Your analogy is completely inaccurate.

Hoteliers are critical to HTA

In response to the July 8 editorial "Tourism board must balance stakeholders," let's do a quick check validating the fact that the tourism industry is the No. 1 economic driver for the state.

Though I can't understand the motivation to single out hoteliers' participation on the Hawai'i Tourism Authority board, I agree with Gov. Lingle that the visitor industry, not just hoteliers, should be involved with the HTA. Hotels act as a hypodermic needle for government, contributing the transient accommodation tax and property tax, and are a major source for jobs.

Let's also remember that hotels contribute membership fees into various marketing associations like the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Oahu Visitors Bureau, along with the other island chapters of the bureau.

Hotels further engage in cooperative advertising campaigns with these marketing arms as well as incur our own expenses in placing cooperative advertising dollars with wholesalers who promote packages to Hawai'i.

In addition, hotels have one of the largest sales forces in the state, which deploys staff to the Mainland and abroad to make personal calls on Hawai'i's customers, attends trade shows and is generally out promoting Hawai'i overall; this labor cost is substantial.

Hoteliers are urging the visitor to embrace the experience of Hawai'i, the overall destination, its culture and its people. The HTA needs people who are involved in the day-to-day experiences of the visitor industry, who understand our customers' travel trends.

Let's not quickly forget the adverse impact an empty Waikiki has on everyone and the economy as a whole. As many of us know, Hawai'i is going up against other destinations that have the muscle of $500 million marketing budgets to showcase themselves to the world. It makes it even more imperative when going up against the marketing force of other destinations that our HTA members have the experience and the savvy to strategically place the $60 million allocated to make the most tactical impact for the visitor industry.

Our concern should really be, "Are we providing the HTA with enough experience and knowledgeable board members who can guide the use of our funding in the most productive manner and grow our economy?"

All hoteliers know that visitors will not choose a destination because of a hotel. A visitor comes to Hawai'i to experience our environment, our people and various cultures, dining, entertainment, shopping and activity experiences. It is therefore absolutely in the business interest of a hotelier on the board of the HTA to create a vision and long-range plan for tourism that will sustain our industry for all stakeholders.