HAKA

PENALTY AGAINST UH RAISES SERIOUS ISSUES

Penalizing the University of Hawai'i Warriors for performing the haka outside the field and period of play raises a couple of serious issues.

Not only does it smell of cultural-centrism (bordering on racism) disguised as an issue of sportsmanship, but it is selective and probably illegal.

Should NCAA referees be allowed to impose penalties on the USC Trojans for riding into battle in full armor with sword and horse in front of their opponents? Should the Illini be penalized for their "chief" doing the war-dance at the beginning of games? What about team mascots that bash (albeit symbolically) the other team's mascot?

And why only the Warriors? As important, do the referees even have legal jurisdiction over activities outside the game itself? If so, can they penalize the fans (and cheerleaders) for dancing, cheering, and booing the other team (and refs when they deserve it, such as in this case)?

SUPERFERRY

FERRY MORE ENJOYABLE THAN AIRLINE TRAVEL

It is a simple fact — we live on an island, so there should be a ferry service.

Air travel used to be fun. Now it is a painful ordeal from beginning to end.

A scenic trip on a beautiful boat is a much more enjoyable way to reach your destination.

FIRM TRIED TO SNEAK PAST PROPER CHANNELS

It is shameful to see brethren from the Neighbor Islands reacting with violence (banging on car windows). The Superferry riders are not at fault.

Let's clear up what people are really upset about. O'ahu folks assume that our neighbors want to keep us out, some even going as far as bringing up Hurricane Iniki as a sort of "I bet you liked us back then!"

Some are upset at local and federal law enforcement who couldn't control the protesters.

What is often not said is that the Superferry is a money-making operation. They tried to sneak past proper channels by avoiding an environmental impact study. The company's CEO offered a $5 fare to try to get the public behind his service and pressure the government to let him slide.

This isn't about civil disobedience or hurricanes, it's about a big business trying to do what they do, make money.

Think about what and at whose expense this money is all being made. We all need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The Superferry doesn't care who or what gets in the way, all it wants is your money by any means necessary.

REVIEW MUST BE DONE WHILE FERRY OPERATES

I was one of those people who was supposed to make a round-trip to Kaua'i on Aug. 28, and I was disappointed the trip was canceled.

The opposition to the Superferry is not about the ports, the whales or the traffic — it's about an invasion of the Neighbor Islands by O'ahu and all that it stands for.

The Superferry is a Trojan horse bearing all kinds of invasive species aimed at the life-style and perceived private reserves of Kaua'i and Maui.

This negative reaction in Hawai'i is the worst combination of NIMBY and "no change" attitude. If an environmental review is to be done, the only fair way is to review while the ferry is allowed to operate.

So many charges have been unfairly leveled at the ferry, no study or review could possibly anticipate all the hypotheticals. Learn from actual experience, and then make necessary corrections or changes.

The governor has to take control for the common good and unify the state by allowing this badly needed Superferry project to live up to its potential.

ONLY LAWYERS BENEFIT FROM THIS BROUHAHA

My husband and I went on the inaugural cruise of the Norwegian Star in December 2001. The ship was full of Hawai'i residents having a wonderful time.

On Kaua'i, we were met with a helicopter dropping rose petals on the bow of the ship, not people ridiculing the Coast Guard.

Maybe I am a cynic, but is it because the 6,000 or so ship passengers a week visiting Kaua'i bring a lot more income and jobs than a few kama'aina going to Kaua'i to visit friends or family?

The big-time lawyers from out of state with huge national organizations like the Sierra Club are the only ones benefiting from this brouhaha.

They are getting the type of publicity and news coverage they want, and the citizens of Hawai'i are shown cursing and vandalizing the cars of their neighbors. So much for the aloha spirit in the national news.

MAUI COUNTY

DON'T PENALIZE ALL WHO OFFER VACATION RENTALS

Fifteen years ago, after getting engaged on Moloka'i, my wife and I returned there to honeymoon, renting a small house for a week.

We have returned to similar rentals for our fifth and, recently, our 15th anniversary, enjoying the calm and peace of these scaled-down settings.

Moloka'i wouldn't be the same for us at a hotel. I'm not sure we would even go back.

In our experience, there seemed to be little impact on the surrounding properties from rentals such as those we visited.

I ask the County Council not to "throw the baby out with the bath," as my mother used to say.

If problems occur, deal with them on a case-by-case basis and don't penalize a whole industry for the abuses of a few.

HOUSE RENTALS MEAN MORE ENJOYABLE TRIP

My husband and I have visited Maui, Kaua'i and Moloka'i on three separate vacations over the past 10 years. We have rented four houses and stayed at a hotel two times.

Our family consists of two adults and two young children. Renting a house allows us to enjoy the sunsets and beauty of Hawai'i from the yard or lanai, while our children are tucked into bed. A house with a kitchen means we don't have to brave restaurants three times a day with young children.

A house allows for more privacy and a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation for all of us.

We are much less likely to visit Hawai'i if a hotel is our only option. It is very difficult to have one bedroom for a family if we come for a week or two.

Being in a hotel or resort defeats our purpose for coming to Hawai'i. We like to get away from crowds and the hectic life. We like to enjoy the simple and beautiful things of Hawai'i. We love the gardens and the ocean. We love to watch wildlife and sunsets.

Please don't make it so difficult for people to enjoy Maui and Moloka'i.

EMERGENCIES

PET-SHELTER ISSUE NEEDS A DIFFERENT SOLUTION

Let me see if I can clarify this pets-and-shelter issue for Rep. Ryan Yamane (Letters, Sept. 10).

The problem is that pet owners do not have any place to take their animals in the event of an emergency. There are a lot of ways to solve that problem, but requiring our established shelters to take them isn't one of them.

O'ahu's public shelters are buildings built for a different purpose and pressed into service in time of emergency.

When that happens, they become crowded places with barely adequate ventilation and sanitary services, mainly because of the service interruptions caused by whatever forced the opening of the shelter.

Throw in a dose of apprehension and fear, and you have a good idea of what it's like — adding dogs, cats, birds and whatever other animal people call a pet is a bad idea.

Solve the problem some other way.

DRUNK DRIVING

TIME FOR ISLES TO PASS IGNITION-INTERLOCK LAW

Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawai'i shares the shock and disappointment of our fellow citizens on learning that our state, as of 2006, leads the nation in percent of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, each one representing a devastating yet avoidable personal tragedy.

This disturbing ranking is baffling, because our state leaders — legislative, executive, Judiciary and community — have done so much to combat drunk driving.

In probing this mystery, one thing pops out: Hawai'i is one of only four states with no ignition interlock law.

Ignition interlock is a breath-test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. It is installed at the driver's expense after she or he has been arrested for driving under the influence.

To start their vehicles, drivers must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol concentration is below a pre-set level.

A generation of studies have shown how effective ignition interlock is in preventing drunk driving.

Earlier this year, the state House of Representatives passed a resolution (HCR 28) requiring the state Department of Transportation, in collaboration with MADD-Hawai'i, the attorney general and county prosecutors, to study the best way to implement ignition interlock.

Our state's shocking 2006 ranking confirms the wisdom and urgency of the House resolution.

It's time for Hawai'i to implement ignition interlock as a proven way to protect ourselves and our children from the nation's most frequently committed, and 100 percent preventable, violent crime — drunk driving.