What's up with all the canceled projects?

It's obvious that Mayor Mufi Hannemann is trying to dismantle and discredit former Mayor Jeremy Harris' projects. Palolo project shutdown. Too expensive to maintain. Punchbowl Street project shutdown, $1.45 million blown away. Too expensive to maintain.

What's next, knocking Harris' beautification projects in Waikiki, or paving all of the city parks with asphalt because they are too expensive to maintain? Oops, sorry, future potholes; we may have to choose which is cheaper: cutting the grass or patching the potholes.

Come on, Mayor, wake up and smell the grass (or asphalt).

Annexation of Hawai'i was not done legally

Amy Stringer, in her March 3 letter, asks why we haven't let the "annexation" of Hawai'i go and states that the "issue of our annexation should not be debated."

Ms. Stringer, we would have no problem if the annexation had been done legally. The annexation of Hawai'i was done by a joint resolution of Congress, not by treaties, as was required. A joint resolution has no legal standing in a foreign country, which is what Hawai'i remained, even under the provisional government. This means that the status of the Hawaiian people as a distinct and sovereign nation is beyond debate.

If America were the champion of justice as it portrays itself to be, then it would have no problem addressing the injustices it committed with more than an "I'm sorry." If you're sincerely sorry for taking part in a theft, restitution by means of a complete return of items stolen is in order. America may be beneficial to Hawai'i, but the fact remains that it is still the master in someone else's home.

Optimism about new commute laughable

Your March 1 article on the O'ahu commuter ferry being mindlessly discussed at the city meeting was pretty funny. I particularly loved the part about the prior ferries that had failed but had been proven "physically possible." What a comfort! And I thought a boat could not "physically" make that trip (sea serpents being a constant threat).

Then there was the reported "39 mph" speed to be achieved, resulting in a 44-minute trip. That will be quite a shock to the folks at Aloha Tower when it hits the pier at that speed. The speeds leaving and entering harbors have to be much, much slower, as do speeds in rough conditions. Not to mention that this advertised speed (43 knots) is the top speed of the fastest ferries on the planet today (under optimal conditions), which virtually never operate at top speed.

Oh yes, they are also all built outside the United States, so there may be a thorny little problem with the Jones Act. But the sheer idiocy of this proposal was fully emphasized by the comment about the only access being by bus.

"Honey, it's 4 a.m. Can you drive me to the bus so I can get a seat to wait for the ferry to downtown to catch the bus to get to my office by 8?"

"Of course dear, but the weather is horrible."

"I know, but we sold my car!"

"Got your Dramamine?"

"Yep."

"Got $20 for your ticket?"

"Yep. What time's dinner?"

"It'll be on the table when you get home tonight at 10. Don't wake me up."

Eliminating classes doesn't make sense

According to standardized tests, several of Hawai'i's public schools are failing. I would like to look at these tests and see just how foreign they are to many of Hawai'i's children.

I have heard reports that some schools may have to eliminate art and music classes in order for students to focus more on reading and math. Hello! Exposure to art and music helps develop math skills.

Some schools have already eliminated P.E. and lunch recess; not only does this physical activity promote healthy learning, but it fights against obesity.

The No Child Left Behind Act is honorable in its intentions, but it was obviously developed and passed by government officials who have no background in education or education psychology. Not every student can excel in every subject. Our society must value and nurture every child's intelligence instead of discounting them and setting them up for failure.

Gay housing bill should be held up

With an obvious heavy heart and "serious reservations," Democratic Rep. Mike Kahikina spoke on the floor of the House last week to object to the bypassing of his Committee on Housing with the swift, one-committee assignment/hearing of the gay rights housing bill, House Bill 1715.

That the chairman of the House Housing Committee felt compelled to take the unusual step of chastising his own House leadership on the floor of the Legislature on second reading of the bill indicates how serious the ethical problem is.

HB 1715 is scheduled for a House vote tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if it is thoroughly debated. Intimidation is a factor. So is the fact that it did not receive a thorough and balanced airing in the two committees. The controversial bill was snaked to the Judiciary Committee by the House leadership where its lone hearing was conducted.

Unfortunately, secret negotiation, minimal public notice and reduced committee hearings continue to be the methods used for moving gay- and lesbian-sponsored bills.

The solution is to hold the bill and then revisit the issue with proper dual-committee referral next legislative session. "Re-referral" to committee is the ethical way to correct the mishandling of this bill. Alternatively, a "no" vote by conscientious representatives is appropriate. Call your representative and ask him or her to "re-refer" House Bill 1715 or vote "no."

Post-Churchill era isn't the right time

As a Hawai'i taxpayer and one who worked his way through college with a part-time job and student loans (paid back every penny, by the way), I get a real chuckle over the "plight" of the University of Hawai'i and the issue of raising tuition.

UH arrogantly forced this goofball left-wing radical Ward Churchill down our throats recently, and now it comes crying for more funding to offset the need to pay for that wonderful higher education that all of its students deserve. Doesn't look so wonderful to me and not all that deserving either.

A local television station did a quick straw poll during the news hour the other night and found 80 percent of those who responded not willing to spend more tax money to help pay for UH. Coincidental? I think not. Great timing, though, I have to admit.