CRIME

BREAK-INS OCCURRING AT MT. OLOMANA PARKING

There has been a rash of break-ins of cars parked by people hiking up Mount Olomana in Kailua during the past several weeks.

This hike is popular with locals and also tourists, especially since an article extolling the hike appeared in the travel section of the Sunday New York Times.

STADIUM

KALAELOA BETTER PLACE FOR SPORT OF DRIFTING

I live near the stadium and even though I sympathize with drifting enthusiasts, having the noise and rancid smells in residential neighborhoods in close proximity is like breathing smoke from fireworks.

They're both unbearable to tolerate and not good for one's health.

Why not look into using the old airfield in Kalaeloa as a site for a drifting race track? I feel it's a ready-made spot for this type of thing.

STATE TAX REVENUES

PUBLIC SERVICES WILL NOT BE CUT OR DELAYED

House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro recently stated that "you might see welfare checks delayed, you might see housing projects delayed, you might see longer lines or greater waiting periods to get services," due to recent tax collections.

This is inaccurate and unnecessary and may cause undue stress to many Hawai'i citizens, particularly our most vulnerable.

It is also troubling that majority leaders are telling the public there will be "tremendous restrictions" in the state budget as a result of lower than expected tax revenues for fiscal year 2007. These claims are false.

We want to reassure the public that there will be no budget shortfall, and public services will not be cut or delayed.

The Lingle-Aiona administration is taking a cautious approach to managing the state budget as we await the next revenue forecast by the Council on Revenues in September.

As the administration has done for the past four-and-a-half years, spending will be closely scrutinized to ensure fiscal responsibility.

We are committed to maintaining a responsible approach to managing taxpayers' money, while ensuring state services are properly funded.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

BACK BUYING POWER FROM OTHER PRODUCERS

Rick Daysog's article on July 7, "State seeking ways to reduce oil dependence," surprised me pleasantly.

Daysog reports that the Public Utilities Commission is examining ways for government to purchase electricity directly from independent (read: renewable) producers, thereby offsetting fossil fuel consumption.

I couldn't agree more, which is why I introduced House Bill 42 last session. This bill, which is still alive for the 2008 legislative session, directs the PUC to develop fair tariff rates for electrical "wheeling" (transmission of power from source to destination) for governmental agencies.

It would be an understatement to say I was thrilled when Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Peter Rosegg supported the idea of an agreement to open up transmission lines to those facilities that generate renewable energy.

HECO's monopolistic control over power transmission on O'ahu has stymied renewable energy development. Simply put, without HECO's blessing, power cannot be transmitted from source to destination.

Given the energy consumption of our municipal and state governments, an agreement allowing such transmission would provide stimulation for our renewable sector, while simultaneously allowing city and state to reduce their "carbon footprint."

More importantly, it might send HECO a timely message: If you fail to provide our state with renewable energy, we'll find someone who will.

KOKO CRATER

KAISER 07 FLAP IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

All this brouhaha is about nothing, or to quote Shakespeare, "much ado about nothing."

The 07 on the mountain is painted on a blue tarp and can be dismantled at any time.

No harm is done to the environment, and the graduating class was able to express pride in the school and their class.

No doubt the upcoming class of seniors will want to place their own 08 sign, and I hope they continue the tradition of using a blue tarp with white numbers painted on it.

We have so many other important issues to discuss. No harm, no foul.

Go Cougars!

KANE'OHE

NEIGHBORS CONCERNED OVER CEMETERY PLAN

Our neighborhood has many more issues with Services Corp. International's planned Hawaiian Memorial Park expansion than reported in the July 10 article ("90,000 plots planned").

Our primary concern is that the area will remain zoned conservation. Today, the land retains all the qualities that earned it conservation status in the 1960s. The area has a significant number of archaeological sites.

A 1989 Bishop Museum study identified 10 sites within the proposed development, including the historic Kawa'ewa'e heiau. The area is the primary watershed of Kawa Stream — targeted for restoration with the Clean Water Act. And, the area is one of the last undeveloped scenic hillsides in Kane'ohe.

We also have many additional concerns, such as flooding, noise, strain on aged sewer lines, impact on property values and pesticide dangers — just to name a few.

So, while there may be a need for additional cemetery plots, there is also a need to retain Hawai'i's beautiful green and lush conservation lands.

Tourists don't visit the Islands to see graveyards.