RACIAL TERMS

DO NOT JUDGE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE

Re: Ed Lee's March 14 letter ("Haoles have trouble accepting race term"): No, we do not have any trouble.

If you are an adult and you still think of and judge people because of their race, then you have big trouble.

AIRPORT STOP

RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE PRIORITY IN TRANSIT PLAN

In response to Dr. Larry A. Gardner's letter on an airport stop for the transit route (March 12): While I agree that Waikiki is usually the final destination for most tourists, surely the reason why tourists rent cars is so that they can drive to beaches, historical places and picturesque lookouts.

Why would anyone rent a car just to drive 20 minutes and then pay a small fortune for parking?

I'd like to think that if a visitor planned to simply arrive at the airport, go straight to a hotel and relax on Waikiki Beach during the entire stay, a ride on "America's Best" public transportation, TheBus, would more than suffice.

After all, according to its Web site, "85 percent of visitors who do take TheBus while on vacation rate the service as having exceeded their expectations."

So where's the problem? If this rail system must happen, and billions of our taxpayer dollars must be spent, I think most people can agree that it had better make our lives easier. That takes priority over any tourist's 20-minute ride to Waikiki.

HOMELESS

HOUSING OPPORTUNITY IN THOSE FEMA TRAILERS

Did you see the photo in The Advertiser (March 8) of all those surplus new and used trailers that FEMA has stored on the Mainland and is offering for sale at about 40 cents on the dollar of their cost?

Here is an answer to a lot of Hawai'i's housing problems if we will just make some new rules in regards to trailers and trailer parks being acceptable here.

What an opportunity to quickly obtain a lot of affordable housing for our not-so-wealthy, and to provide homes for many of our deserving homeless.

Opportunity is pounding on our door; I sure pray that someone in government hears the knock and sees the possibilities.

TRANSIT ROUTE

AIRPORT-TO-CITY BUSES SHOULD BE FIRST STEP

Easy rail links to airports have always been desirable; however they never had a high priority or were a huge issue during the initial rapid transit plans of any city.

None of the cities mentioned in Morton L. Brown's March 14 letter built their first or even second rail link to the airport. The priority was always the need of the majority of the population and the need to reduce traffic congestion.

A few cities connected their airports quite early due to passing major rail links or short connections from existing rail lines (Zurich, Geneva, Washington, D.C.). In other cities, shuttle buses were introduced from the nearest train station to the airport (Boston, Dallas, Baltimore, Miami, Los Angeles) and never became popular or were even rejected by the public (New York JFK).

Most of the direct city-to-airport links were built only during the last 20 to 30 years.

All cities started by introducing a distinctive airport-to-city service and tested the need for a major rail link.

Honolulu has not even started to do this. The present bus services (routes 19 and 20) cannot be considered airport services, since regular checked baggage is not permitted and buses do not give priority to airport-bound passengers.

I recommend starting on this level.

ISLANDS' HISTORY

'IOLANI PALACE BELONGS TO ALL OF US IN HAWAI'I

'Iolani Palace belongs to all of us, Dave Shapiro to the contrary (Volcanic Ash, March 14).

It is a key part of the history of Hawai'i. That's why I strongly support taxpayers' money being used to keep it in good shape for the world to admire.

I don't support the Akaka bill, but I do make annual contributions to the palace as do people of many racial backgrounds. As a vital historic site it is a symbol of every step in our governmental history.

Racial division should have no part in how it's used. It played a central role in the days of the monarchy, then the overthrow, the republic, annexation and statehood. It's the only structure that ties our multi-racial history together. No part of the community was excluded from the palace in any of those time periods.

'Iolani Palace, Hawai'i's museum — a perfect place for marking Hawai'i's history.

IRAQ WAR

BUSH IS TRYING TO KEEP US SAFE FROM TERRORISTS

I was a rifle company platoon leader in World War II in General Patton's Third Army, fighting in France and Germany.

I have firsthand knowledge of the horror of war, but realize the necessity of militarily confronting and defeating our enemies.

My generation saw the growth of the Nazis and the Japanese Army before World War II. We did nothing until we were rudely awakened by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Then we became involved.

We should brace ourselves for a prolonged conflict with misguided Islamists. In the meantime, we should resolve the Iraq problem by remaining steadfast to a democratic Iraq.

We should support President George W. Bush, who is doing his best to keep our country safe from terrorist attacks by carrying the war to the enemy.

A lot of the anti-war propaganda that is circulating is aimed at destroying our faith in our president's leadership.

We must awaken to the fact that we are in the initial stages of World War III. Like it or not, it has begun.

STREET REPAIRS

ROAD CONDITIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN SO POOR

I have lived here all my life, and have never seen road conditions as poor as they are now.

Our taxes have increased, yet we are not provided basic services.

Does the city or the state have some kind of schedule for road work or do they just wing it?

Classic example: The condition of Pali Highway is a joke, and has been since the 40 days of rain last year.

Maybe they should schedule road repairs more frequently. Maybe they are waiting for another 40 days of rain.

Another example: Most of the main roads within the Kailua area are also a joke.

The people who run our government should focus on the fundamentals: safety, water, transportation, sewers, etc.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

ALOHA GOES A LONG WAY ON HAWAI'I ROADWAYS

I've read a lot of letters about pedestrian safety recently, but I must respond to Tammy Souza's letter (March 3) describing tourists and the military as "more cautious than local residents." She obviously does not live, work or visit Waikiki often.

I work in our tourist mecca and notice that traffic signals mean little or nothing to many visitors. They cross in the middle of blocks with no crosswalks, on red lights in intersections and in places with signs indicating"no crossing." I see this on a daily basis.

I was elated recently to see officers ticketing jaywalkers in Waikiki, and I thanked them.

Everyone needs to be more cautious and courteous. I've noticed a marked increase in drivers stopping for pedestrians islandwide.

But I'd like to see more of these pedestrians acknowledge this by a small wave or thanks or a smile to drivers when not at a traffic light.

A little aloha goes a long way for drivers and pedestrians.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

CELL PHONE RESTRICTION URGENTLY NEEDED HERE

I agree with Mr. Carl Wheaton, who called for a ban on cell phones to increase driver safety (Letter, March 13).

Recently, my wife came within a whisker of being hit by an inattentive driver who was on her cell phone.

Military installations ban cell phones.

I will happily give my cell up for a hands-free device.

If something is not done, things are going to spiral out of control.

BASKETBALL

NIT, NCAA CHAMPS SHOULD PLAY EACH OTHER

What would really grab my interest in watching both men's and women's college basketball games — and to pacify the NIT and snubbed teams — would be the ultimate final games between the NCAA and NIT champions.

FISHING

WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE OCEAN RESOURCE

Our kupuna believe that we are part of the environment and have kuleana to it. Centuries ago, our population was comparable in size but fish, limu, crabs, 'opihi and other marine life were plentiful. Carefully selected people, konohiki, and real-time information from fishermen, balanced the needs of people within their ahupua'a.

Today, if you ask any uncle or auntie whether the fishing, crabbing, limu and 'opihi picking is as good as it was in their youth, the answer is always, "No, it used to be better." Our ocean is in need of kokua. But House Bill 1848, which is proceeding through the Legislature, seeks to weaken regulations aimed at improving our ocean.

In effect, this bill says that fishers have a right to take our resources, even though it might be harmful to the ocean.

As Hawaiians, we know that most kupuna teach us that fishing is a privilege that comes with the responsibility to care for the ocean. They teach us to err on the side of caution.

Legislators who understand kuleana, also understand that demonstrating it is not easy. Sometimes we have no choice but to build in a cushion that limits some access to resources and angers some people.

We are headed in the right direction to help our ocean recover, so let's not consider legislation that takes a step backward. If we listen to the values of our kupuna, we will honor our responsibility to provide for future generations.