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STORIES ABOUT YOUTH, CRIME ARE DISTURBING

I had the same reaction as Kenneth Perel did in his letter ("Front page a dismal view from the outside," July 31) when taking a glimpse at the July 31 morning paper.

The bold print at the top of the front page that read, "Rape added to teen's charges," made me shiver, and I hid this section from my children.

Day after day, we have been seeing stories, some repetitive, about children who are either victims or suspects. I wonder if this is necessary.

I see the importance of keeping the public informed, but I don't understand why this type of tragic news must be blasted across the front page.

Yes, it does hurt how visitors perceive the goodness of the people here, and it affects all those who are involved in these cases as their lives and intimate details are made public.

As I was reacting to this latest headline, I opened the letters and commentary section and saw Kenneth Perel's letter of concern.

It is a comfort to know that others are bothered by this type of reporting.

I hope others will speak up to assure that we are not just bombarded with these tragic stories about our youth and the criminal element of this state.

KAHALA MALL

WHOLE FOODS SAD TO LEARN TENANTS LEAVING

Whole Foods Market is saddened to learn that several Kahala Mall tenants have been asked to move ("New arrival forces out Hawai'i mall tenants," Aug. 6).

While Whole Foods Market is excited to become a part of Hawai'i's communities, it was never our intention to have surrounding businesses leave. We feel there is plenty of business for everyone, and our hope is that businesses and residents alike will benefit from Whole Foods Market coming to Hawai'i.

We are proud and honored to become part of Hawai'i's special community, as we believe our company's values — which include showing a deep commitment to the communities in which we operate, as well as our strong commitment to protecting and preserving the environment — will help us to fit in with Hawai'i's active and health-conscious lifestyle.

Whole Foods Market is passionate about providing the freshest, healthiest, minimally processed products available, and we look forward to working with local farmers and food producers to bring quality natural and organic foods to the people of Hawai'i.

STORES DO NOT WANT TO ABANDON CUSTOMERS

On Aug. 6, Catherine Toth wrote an informative article about the various changes at Kahala Mall.

As a long-time happy patron of Star Market, I was sad to hear from their employees that they had to depart because management had raised the rent to a level they couldn't afford.

Now, the smaller stores, also favorites with locals, are being closed out, apparently not because Whole Foods needs that space also, but because mall management feels other uses would be more "appropriate."

Auwe! Here's a Mainland food giant coming to crowd into the path pioneered by our own local, smaller stores like Kokua Market and Down to Earth, and getting one huge assist in their effort from a mall that since its inception has been supported by the local community.

I think it is only fair that in reporting on these changes you make clear when they result from a choice on the part of Kahala Mall management, rather than individual merchant decisions to abandon their local customer base.

RESTAURANT HAS BEEN LONG-TIME MALL TENANT

We read in your Aug. 6 Business section that Kahala Mall is evicting Yen King Restaurant (among others) to become a more upscale mall.

No consideration was given to the fact that Yen King has been a tenant for more than 20 years or that they put up with last year's flood and this year's empty space where Star Market used to be.

I am going to make a concerted effort never to spend money at Kahala Mall. I will try to convince our friends and neighbors (including Yen King's customers) to do likewise.

TRANSIT

LET O'AHU'S VOTERS DECIDE ON RAIL OR BUSES

Mayor Mufi Hannemann recently made a statement that the county will move forward with rail.

Those in the mayor's cabinet have failed to look at all options regarding our transit future, instead choosing to blindly rush through a decision that could bankrupt our city for decades to come.

Do we want yet another expensive reason to tax the people on O'ahu? Will the excise tax have to be 6 percent to pay for rail? People of O'ahu, start demanding real answers.

If the mayor really wants to represent the true feelings of the majority of the people of the City and County of Honolulu, he will let the people choose between rail and bus transit.

Put this decision up for a vote — by the people.

DON'T MAKE RIDERS CHANGE SYSTEM MODES

Sorry, but I don't agree with the reasons described in your Aug. 6 editorial, "Note to City Council: Quit transit tap dance." You say the idea of rapid transit "is to get from point A to point B, rapidly."

Is is not point B we are concerned about, but points C, D, and E. Changing modes of transportation stifles ridership.

TRAFFIC

MORE PEOPLE ON BIKES, MEANS FEWER VEHICLES

Mark Yasuhara's Aug. 4 letter ("Rush-hour prohibition needed for bicyclists") blames the wrong people for traffic in Honolulu.

Passing a bicyclist safely takes only a few seconds. Most bicyclists realize it is in our best interest to avoid main thoroughfares, especially during the busiest traffic times. If I do find myself riding during rush-hour traffic, I end up actually going faster, and making more headway than the lines of cars stuck on the road.

Riding in traffic can be scary and dangerous, and sometimes forces riders to ride more aggressively than they would like. When a car and a bicycle collide, everyone knows who's going to walk away and who isn't.

Bicycling on busy streets is an experience in vulnerability. After one bicycle ride on the streets of Honolulu, I'm sure almost all drivers would make an effort to be more courteous and sympathetic to bicyclists and anyone else not driving a car.

A bicycle-only lane would be a wonderful addition to Honolulu streets, but whether we have one or not, more people on bicycles means fewer people in cars. That ultimately means less traffic, not more, and a happier, healthier world.

TRASH

LET'S JOIN CITIES THAT HAVE CURB RECYCLING

Honolulu is the largest city in America without a curbside recycling program. Why is this? We need to change this.

MILITARY SERVICE

MOM HAS NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD OF HER SON

Today, my youngest son, who is 19, will go off to basic training in the Army to serve in the 442nd Infantry.

These past months I had to do a lot of soul searching about my role as an American. I have always considered myself to be patriotic, but when my son told me he wanted to join the Army, my first response was no.

It went against everything I planned for him in my mind.

You know how you map out your children's life? High school, college, graduate school, falling in love with the perfect girl, getting married and then having kids. Never in that road map of life did I envision him joining the military, or going to war.

When I watched the news about heroic young men and women fighting in the war, I never thought it would one day be part of my personal world.

This tested my patriotism, and after much thought and reflection, I now believe that patriotism is everything from singing the national anthem at a football game, to letting your greatest asset, your son, serve your country.

Of all of the things my son has done in his life until this point, his decision to join the Army has made me, by far, the proudest.

He has shown me that on his own he is a man of integrity and honor. He is willing to risk his own life to serve his country.

I have never felt more patriotic and more proud of my son.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PRIVATE GROUP WORKING TO CUT REPAIR BACKLOG

In the Aug. 7 article, "Hawai'i school repairs on hold as economy weakens," Loren Moreno reported that many schools will have to wait for repairs.

However, proactive schools do not have to wait.

In 2001, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye began an initiative called Hawai'i 3R's (Repair, Remodel, and Restore Hawai'i's public schools).

Hawai'i 3R's is a private, non-profit organization that assists the state in reducing the backlog of school repair and maintenance projects by leveraging state funds with federal funds, private contributions and, most importantly, community support.

Volunteerism or "sweat equity" has come from many sources, including every branch of the military, church groups, civic organizations, large companies, students, parents, teachers and school staff.

Other community support has taken many forms, including free or reduced rates from contractors and suppliers, food and beverage donations from restaurants and other businesses for volunteers, and monetary contributions from private foundations, businesses, and individuals.

Since 2001, Hawai'i 3R's has awarded 317 grants totaling $9.3 million to public schools statewide. By the state's estimates, these projects would have cost $22.5 million to complete. During the same period, Hawai'i 3R's has received only $2.5 million in state funds.

Therefore, schools willing to make the effort do not have to wait for repairs.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Hawai'i 3R's at 521-5524. Hawai'i 3R's is especially looking for groups of volunteers, skilled volunteers, licensed contractors and monetary contributions.