ILLEGAL USES

KAILUA VACATION RENTAL EDITORIAL IRRESPONSIBLE

After all the negative responses in the pages of The Advertiser and online, it is more than discouraging to see the views expressed in the editorial, "Probe won't solve transient rental issue" (Dec. 4).

Giving validity to the proponents of the issue is irresponsible, especially when so many homeowners are fighting to have the current laws against transient rentals enforced. Should we start giving validity and support for other illegal uses of our residential areas? Should we be looking for ways to allow some permitted street racing, some permitted brothels, some permitted gambling houses? Why not? These activities would draw lots of tourist dollars.

Does that it make it right?

HAWAIIANS

'TRIBALISM' EFFORTS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The online encyclopedia Wiki-pedia says this about tribalism:

"The term 'tribalism' taken in the sense of societal structure usually carries a connotation that society is not only divided into smaller groups, but that these groups are actively hostile towards one another. Thus, 'tribalism' as a social structure connotes a society divided in civil conflict between myriad small groups. Tribalism, as a mentality, can and has taken many forms. Since tribalism involves categorizing oneself into a group, it also entails the categorization of others into other groups, often leading to prejudice and, in extreme cases, even genocide."

I see the efforts of those supporting the Akaka bill and all other efforts to divide the state's citizens by race or "tribe" as misguided, unconstitutional and harmful to our society as a whole. I view the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the Kamehameha Schools admissions policy case in the same light.

Hopefully, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the appeal and reverse the decision.

KAMEHAMEHA DECISION IS A WONDERFUL VICTORY

The Kamehameha Schools victory is wonderful news for our Native Hawaiians and my husband, who is also Native Hawaiian.

The Hawaiian people of native ancestry deserve this victory, and by law it is the right thing to do. My only hope is that the U.S. Supreme Court will come to the same conclusion or refuse to hear the case.

NEIGHBORHOODS

MAHALO TO THOSE WHO WHO KEEP ROADS CLEAN

Passing the McCully Shopping Center every morning on my way to work, I watch a nice man sweep the streets. He's there bright and early, helping to keep our streets and parks clean. I wanted to say a big mahalo to him, as well as others I constantly see sweeping the streets fronting their homes and even their neighbor's home.

In addition to giving thanks to our wonderful community, I would like to thank the city and state workers who help to keep our trees and greenery neat and tidy. It's such a pleasure driving to work and not seeing rubbish along the roads or unkempt foliage.

Thanks to you all for keeping O'ahu beautiful!

INAUGURAL

DEVELOPERS MUST HEED GOV. LINGLE'S SPEECH

Gov. Linda Lingle's inaugural address regarding de-emphasis on land development for the sake of human development as a new paradigm for Hawai'i future makes a lot of sense. I hope Hawai'i's developers take it seriously.

It's a call for innovation and creativity. It is not a call to stop making money but to challenge developers and those with investment capital to start thinking outside the real estate box to other ventures that interface with our future in the Asia-Pacific region.

A case in point might be the misplaced emphasis by developers in East Honolulu to build 180 cabins on the Ka Iwi coastline. There would be greater long-run returns to the developer and the state if these funds were re-thought out in terms of the Lingle paradigm. As noted in her address, Hawai'i can be a model for other nations as well as the Mainland if we commit to develop our rich and diverse human resource pool, natural energy resources, and entrepreneurial talents.

I don't believe we can achieve these at our present rate of mediocrity. We need new thinking, new projects, new local-international partnerships, new local businesses and new ways of seeing and relating with Asia, especially on how to better catch the waves of the global economy in our region.

ANIMAL LAWS

WAYS MUST BE FOUND TO CONTROL WILD PIGS

Regarding the commentary advocating stronger animal cruelty legislation (Island Voices, Dec. 1), I generally support the Hawaiian Humane Society. The killing of pet pigs was a shame.

However, legislation must not interfere with efforts to control the population of feral pigs. Killing wild pigs is very difficult, particularly in populated areas where guns are not practical. The traditional method of slaughter is slitting the throat. This may appall an urbanite, but I can only admire the hunter and his dogs who accomplish it. Pigs are smart and voracious. My dog is happy to show me exactly where they are, but that's all. Our electric fence needs regular checking and is torn down when piglets come under it and mama sows charge on through after their offspring. A sentimental maternal picture turns disastrous when they root up an acre of plants in one night leaving hillside land vulnerable to erosion. A snare may catch a hog, but then what?

Beyond my own garden, I have seen where feral pigs killed valuable vegetation, such as native tree ferns in the Pahole Forest Preserve. They regularly root up plant collections in the Waimea Valley Botanical Garden. Their feeding on Hawai'i's slopes leads to mud and boulders sliding down onto roads and houses below. If anyone knows of a nonviolent way to hunt this dangerous beast, please share it.