Letters to the Editor

Transit right-of-ways are critical for O'ahu

Kudos to Gary Okino for reaffirming that we need transit right-of-ways.

While Cliff Slater continues to argue for his Band-Aid fixes that will require future Band-Aid fixes, the people of O'ahu are suffering tremendous traffic pressures. Think the commute is bad now?

Well-planned transit right-of-ways, using mixed modes of transit, would significantly decrease travel times and costs to commuters in the long run. Hawai'i needs to plan with more foresight. How long is another lane or two going to relieve traffic?

We need to think big, voice our support and devote the dollars with foresight to a world-class transportation system that includes mixed-modes and transit right-of-ways. We need to relieve the current congestion problem and plan for future capacities. This island is definitely worth it.

No one seeks to remove Kawaihae Caves bones

I am writing to clarify issues raised involving artifacts said to have been placed in the Kawaihae Caves. In yesterday's Advertiser, Ms. Pualani Kanahele wrote that the Bishop Museum seeks to remove iwi kupuna (ancestral bones) and moepu (burial objects) from the cave complex.

Bishop Museum, in consultation with Native Hawaiian claimants involved in the matter, seeks to recover only artifacts — not burial remains — that were loaned to Hui Malama in February 2000 and were never returned, despite pointed objections from the other claimants. Seven of the 13 Native Hawaiian claimants involved in this matter seek to verify that the items are in the caves and to recover them so that repatriation may be continued in a manner that respects the rights of all 13 claimants.

The National Park Service NAGPRA Review Committee has recommended that the artifacts be recovered and presented to all the claimants. Bishop Museum concurs with the position of the federal Review Committee and the majority of Native Hawaiian claimants, and desires to implement that position in a cooperative manner. Bishop Museum has no plans to, and does not wish to, remove or recover any iwi kupuna, or ancestral bones, as Ms. Kanahele states in her article.

We are respectful of the plans by Native Hawaiian organizations to honor ancestors this Memorial Day weekend, and the Bishop Museum will do everything it can to help make those plans be successful.

Women should think about getting pregnant

We need to stop having a bleeding-heart attitude toward pregnant women.

Although being pregnant is a right of choice for women, the most important aspect afterward is accountability of raising children. Case in point: pregnant teenagers or pregnant women who use drugs or alcohol (except in the case of rape, of course). Ladies, be accountable and responsible. You do have a choice — that is, before and not after you have sex. At that moment, you can ask yourself, do I want to get pregnant or not?

Females are the stronger species — be proud of it. We are the backbone and the cradle of nations. One should just look in the animal kingdom.

In my daily ride on the bus, I see young girls with three or four young children, and it is obvious that they are on welfare. I also see youths who are very rude and impolite — obviously they come from homes where they are not taught manners. How can they have manners if their mothers are themselves unaware of them?

Please, please, be a responsible human being; do not use sex and pregnancy to catch a male — it isn't worth it in the long run. Raising kids isn't easy — it needs discipline and accountability only a mother can provide. Think about it!

Huntington Beach deserves its ranking

I was not the least bit surprised to read your May 24 article "Dr. Beach says 'Surf City USA' not in Isles."

Ranking Huntington Beach, Calif., as the best surfing spot is entirely justified; it is in a league of its own when compared to any beach on O'ahu.

Huntington Beach is much safer for families, has plentiful secure parking, contains an abundance of shops and other amenities nearby, employs more lifeguards, security and maintenance workers, and has year-round good surf for the novices and the pros.

Until the City & County of Honolulu can provide a safer and cleaner environment at its public beaches, and an infrastructure to support the North Shore crowds during the winter, Huntington Beach will always stay on top as the top surfing destination.

Ban smoking on beaches

As Malibu, Solana and other California beaches have already banned smoking, don't lawmakers in Hawai'i care enough to follow? So, who didn't get the hint — or do all our politicians still have their heads buried in the sand? Auwe!