DAILY PRICES

WHAT'S UP WITH GAS GOING THROUGH ROOF?

What am I not understanding about the gas prices?

Unless I'm misinformed, Hawai'i's oil comes from Alaska and East Asia (Indonesia or thereabouts) on long-term contracts, not subject to daily renegotiation, at prices often less than one-third the present spot market that is quoted in the paper as the "price per barrel" of oil.

Hawai'i never uses "spot market" oil, yet our gas pump prices reflect the spot market fluctu-ations (upward, anyway, hardly ever downward) with almost daily accuracy.

Any economist have an answer, or just paranoid (and disturbingly accurate) conspiracy theorists?

AIDED BY BUSH

BLAME SOARING GAS PRICES ON GREEDY FIRMS

Why is it that soaring gas prices seem to be treated as an "act of God" or "act of nature" — or the result of some infallible law of economics? This is pure hogwash!

The oil companies have been making huge profits for the last few years. The Iraq occupation and the Hurricane Katrina aftermath have added to their undeserved, excessive loot. The energy bill passed by this Congress and pushed by George Bush's despicable administration gave them another $40 billion in subsidies and incentives.

Meanwhile, working families are suffering tremendously. Gov. Linda Lingle feebly asked the oil company gas distributors not to hike prices to the max permitted under the gas price cap, but, for the most part, they ignore her. The federal government, led by Bush and his Cabinet of oil-connected cronies, is doing next to nothing. The state government here is seemingly impotent in helping to control these outrageous and excessive charges — literally, highway robbery!

This negligence by government has also been shown in the recent Hurricane Katrina response, which left so many people to suffer. That's what is also happening now to all of us on soaring gas prices, causing such harm to working people and our families.

I wish the media would stop pretending gas price hikes are inevitable or part of some unavoidable natural or economic law. The prices are controlled to a large extent by huge oil monopolies that are heavily subsidized by us. We the people should be able to tell them to back off and lower their prices or we will take them over and run them for the people's benefit rather than for the profits of a very small group of owners and investors.

NO COMMITMENT

GAS CONSERVATION WILL LAST ONLY SO LONG

Somebody said the price of gas just went up. And now everyone is talking about alternative transportation. That will last just about long enough for labor wages to catch up and we will be right back to our Escalades and Hummers.

This state is not committed to alternative solutions other than expensive, labor-based rusty rail or subsidizing someone's van.

GREAT YEAR

PROPER RESPECT DUE TO TOURISM'S SUCCESS

I'd like to echo the sentiments a reader wrote of the joy Bob Krauss delivers whenever he writes about the kolea and their extraordinary annual visits. Bob's fascination with the kolea is shared by many and does in fact remind us all to appreciate all that is good around us.

On another positive note, I encourage another excellent writer on staff, Lee Cataluna, to read the state's Tourism Marketing Plan to fully comprehend the complex nature of attracting the proper mix of visitors to our state. Once read, the plan will reveal to even the most casual observer that the goals of the visitor industry are very much designed to foster both a healthy economy and respect for the land and people of Hawai'i.

With so many of our residents employed in our industry, it would be less than respectful of their daily efforts to attack one of the most successful economic years the state's visitor industry has experienced and fail to recognize the record tax revenues generated from the daily expenditures of all who come for the aloha and leave happily after contributing to our economy.

REGISTRATION

BASE THE VEHICLE FEE ON ACTUAL MILES DRIVEN

A money idea for the city: The vehicle registration fee could be based on the weight of a vehicle and the miles driven in the previous year. The current safety check would provide mileage.

My fee for a minivan driven less than 3,000 miles in a year would be a fraction of the fee for a rental van driven 10,000 miles a year. Since I use the road to only go to the doctor, market and drugstore, I should not have to bear the cost of a van that uses the roads every day, all day.

KAKA'AKO

WATERFRONT HOUSING DECISION A MISTAKE

Regarding "Kaka'ako waterfront housing wins approval" (Sept. 8): Can anyone explain to me how residential development, instead of commercial and industrial, balances the expenses of public facilities as indicated by Teney Takahashi, agency director of planning and development?

Commercial and industrial development generally does not impact parks, schools and open-space demands, plus it generates long-term constant revenue for the government and provides jobs. Residential development is generally an economic negative when it comes to necessary services provided by the public.

Was there a peer-reviewed economic comparison over time of the distinction between the existing land use versus the proposed? Was there any real planning done, or was it, as is apparent, only short-term quick buck now, long-term negative in future for citizens?

How can you plan for quality of life and adequacy of public facilities when you don't know what buildout is? Is it Point Panic or Planning Panic?

HOSPITALITY

FANS WELL-BEHAVED AT THE UH-USC GAME

I want to extend a sincere mahalo to the fans who attended the UH-USC football game at Aloha Stadium.

While Warrior fans had hoped for a better outcome in terms of the final score, I would like to acknowledge the exceptionally positive fan behavior prior to kickoff and throughout the entire game. You demonstrated to the 10,000-plus visiting Trojan fans and the millions of nationwide ESPN TV viewers that the warmth of the aloha spirit and Hawaiian hospitality remain alive and stronger than ever.

Mahalo nui for making all of your fellow kama'aina very proud to live in the 50th State.

BOUNTY HUNTER

DOG JUST PERFORMS HIS IMPORTANT JOB

I am wondering if the ladies who wrote the Sept. 5 Island Voices commentary are watching the same "Dog the Bounty Hunter" TV show that I am.

As an avid fan of Dog and his team, I am perplexed that the ladies think Chapman has any other purpose than to legally bring in people who have such contempt for the law that they don't even feel compelled to show up for their day in court.

Dog's group seldom carries any weapons, just sometimes mace, and after the capture, the fugitives are treated with decency and respect.

As for the crime and punishment part of the operation, that is not on his agenda. He just does his important job. If the folks he brings back to the police station happen to be disproportionally Hawaiian, that is a different problem. Go, Dog!

WWII CEREMONY

AUSTRALIA THANKS ISLES FOR WARM ALOHA TO OUR VETERANS

TO THE GREAT PEOPLE OF HAWAI'I,

I was honored recently to accompany 17 Australian veterans of World War II and one war widow to your fine state for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. These fine men served beside comrades from the USA, with whom they endured the worst that war can bring, to ensure that we live in freedom today.

It was a truly humbling experience to witness the way these Australian heroes were received by the American people. I witnessed many local citizens take the time to hear the stories of our veterans. A most moving experience was when members of the Honolulu community and other American tourists attending a lu'au gave the Australian veterans a standing ovation in a most spontaneous form of heartfelt gratitude.

The mission would not have been a success without the assistance of many people. I cannot offer enough praise to Gov. Linda Lingle and Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, who both welcomed our Australian veterans to stand with the World War II veterans from the United States of America at the 60th anniversary of the signing of the peace instrument aboard the mighty USS Missouri.

My thanks also go to Maj. Gen. Gale Pollock, commanding general, Tripler Army Medical Center, for devoting her time to meet me and provide support to the mission. I must also mention Col. Gene Castagnetti, director of the National Cemetery, who arranged a solemn and moving ceremony at Punchbowl. Col. Castagnetti has ensured the legacy of U.S. servicemen is preserved in this beautiful and somber setting.

The warm welcome given to me and our veteran delegation in Hawai'i is a true sign of the strong comradeship that binds Australia and the USA. Our nations continue to foster this friendship and alliance in pursuit of democracy in military theaters and other endeavors around the world.

To all the people of Hawai'i, on behalf of all Australians, aloha and mahalo.

OPEN CLAIMS

HAWAIIAN SECESSION ISN'T 'BIG LIE'

It's a shame that "journalists" are allowed to publish personal attacks on people with whom they disagree: David Shapiro, for example, claims "Akaka opponents are spreading the Big Lie" (Aug. 31) by pointing out that the Akaka bill could lead to Hawai'i's secession from the Union.

Surely Mr. Shapiro is aware of the following recent events: