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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Letters to the Editor

TRASH

RECYCLING DOES WORK, AND IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT

I would like to thank Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his staff for providing O'ahu with a curbside recycling program.

It has taken lots of work and perseverance to develop and implement this much-needed program. We are very anxious for the curbside recycling program to pass the trial period in Mililani and Hawai'i Kai and come to our community.

Having lived on the Mainland for many years before moving to Hawai'i, the absence of recycling programs was immediately apparent, since we had been recycling for many years.

The concept of twice-weekly garbage pickup was also new to us. Once-a-week pickup is standard in California, and it is not free as it is here.

Since we do recycle, even now we only put our gray can out once a week and it is usually only half full. We do take advantage of the green-waste pickup twice a month and take our recyclables to the recycling center.

Once people embrace recycling, the volume of trash (gray can) going to the landfill will be greatly reduced and the twice-a-week pickup will no longer be needed. The city recycling Web site, www.opala.org, provides extensive information on city-sponsored recycling programs. It is a new concept to many people, but I can testify that it does work and it's not difficult, once you become familiar with it.

Kathy Bossenmeyer
Wahiawa

SUPERFERRY

ONE OAHUAN NO LONGER WANTS TO VISIT KAUA'I

After watching the rude, disrespectful behavior from many of the people at Thursday's Superferry meeting on Kaua'i, I have a dilemma.

I believe the Superferry will be a great thing for our Islands. But now I don't want to go to Kaua'i anymore, since they apparently don't want any of "us people" over there.

Nice aloha, guys.

Robert Waner
'Ewa Beach

A MODEST PROPOSAL TO SHOW WE REALLY DO CARE

As the wheels of government slowly grind toward a decision on whether the people of Hawai'i are to be allowed to travel by Superferry, my mind keeps returning to the claim by its opponents that the vessel might run into whales.

Their concern has started me down a logical path. Every year, dozens of dogs and cats are killed and maimed on Hawai'i's streets and highways. If only we stopped driving, think of all our furry friends who would be saved.

I therefore modestly suggest that anyone applying for a driver's license, or intending to purchase a car or truck, be required to submit an environmental impact statement.

I know this is a whale of a suggestion and that some people who put personal convenience ahead of loftier considerations might object, so I recommend that my proposal be phased in gradually. Let's begin by limiting the EIS requirement to members of Maui Tomorrow, the Sierra Club and the Kahului Harbor Coalition — plus all those on Kaua'i who have shown us they prefer swimming or banging on cars to driving.

Howard E. Daniel
Kailua

ADVERTISER

HEADLINE SENT WRONG MESSAGE TO READER

I wonder what the reasoning was behind the headline used to describe an attempt to abduct a 14-year-old student walking to school in Mililani?

"Girls learn lesson of avoiding strangers" is a peculiar way to describe what happened. "Man tries to abduct student" would have been more descriptive, as well as more objective.

Instead, the headline almost implies that somehow girls should be more responsible for their safety, and that they can avoid being abducted if only they are more vigilant.

It is a good thing that this student was able to free herself. But to imply that females need to learn a lesson, or that by being more vigilant they can avoid abduction, is wrong and places the blame on the wrong target.

Maybe this message was not your intent, but that's how it came across to me. No matter how careful women are, this kind of thing can happen, and it is not because they did not learn the "lesson of avoiding strangers."

Sheri Leaman
Mililani

MILITARY

CARTOON IMPUGNED INTEGRITY OF PETRAEUS

Shame on your newspaper for running the despicable editorial cartoon slandering the credibility of Army Gen. David Petraeus. In lock step with MoveOn.org, you chose to impugn the honor and integrity of this exceptional military man, and in doing so you denigrate the entire military as well.

My larger question to you and all those who ascribe to your paper's editorial view is: Why are you so invested in the defeat of America?

What mindset compels you to assume the worst of our military and its leaders? With all the real threats that face us in the world today, why do you attempt to convince the readership that the greatest danger lay within this administration?

Our enemies are watching, and they must be delighted that the masses are being encouraged to doubt the veracity of the very leaders who command our forces and are entrusted with protecting America.

I fear we are only at the beginning of this war against global Islamic terrorism. You folks who denigrate the military would do well to understand that these brave men and women will someday be the only thing standing between you and the jihadists who seek your destruction and that of your country.

Cynthia Waters
Honolulu

PETRAEUS AD

PROUD OF VOTES CAST BY SENS. AKAKA, INOUYE

I didn't care for MoveOn.org's ad attacking Gen. David Petraeus before we had a chance to hear his testimony.

But contrary to letter writers Ray Gagner and Dana Clevenger in Monday's paper, I am proud that Sens. Dan Akaka and Daniel Inouye voted "no" on a Senate resolution "to specifically repudiate the unwarranted personal attack" on the general.

Congress has no business repudiating any exercise of free speech. Thank you, Sens. Akaka and Inouye, for defending our American freedoms.

J.B. Young
Honolulu

AKAKA, INOUYE WRONG TO SUPPORT MOVEON

Shame on Sens. Daniel Inouye and Dan Akaka for voting to support the scurrilous smear by MoveOn.org of our military men and women.

One usually expects better of Sen. Inouye, although Sen. Akaka predictably follows the instructions of Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin on almost all matters.

Here, those Senate leaders were obviously scrambling to find even 25 embarrassing votes, and our esteemed solons went right along.

Does it strike others how ironic it is that Sen. Akaka heads a committee dealing with veterans affairs? And please, senators, try not to say "I support the troops."

James A. Martens
Waimea, Hawai'i

CULINARY BUSINESS

LEGAL STATUS IN U.S. NEEDED FOR INCUBATOR

I would like to thank Curtis Lum for his work on the Sept. 5 article, "Cooking up new businesses in Hawai'i."

Mr. Lum did a wonderful job of capturing the important work that the Culinary Business Incubator does, as well as the impact that the Pacific Gateway Center has on so many business owners' lives.

As a result of the piece, we have received more than a dozen phone calls from various individuals interested in starting their own business or simply expanding through the walls of the incubator. Our September Small Business Entrepreneurship course is, so far, the highest-attended class of the year.

To clarify, potential users of the kitchen do not need to be U.S. citizens. Rather, they need to hold some form of legal status here in the United States, including citizenship, permanent residence card and work or student visa. Many of our clients have migrated to Hawai'i from around the world in pursuit of opportunities to succeed, and have found them here at the incubator.

The work we are able to do is because of the support we have gotten from public and private funders in the initial construction of the incubator. Receiving ongoing support for programming is a constant struggle, and we are thankful for the periodic resources granted to this important program.

Rebecca Soon
Director, economic development, Pacific Gateway Center

IROQUOIS POINT

WILL BEACHGOERS HELP TO PAY THE MANY COSTS?

Not long ago, not many people wanted to use Iroquois Beach. There is only one road in and out and the state does not maintain it. But the most important thing is the safety and security of Pearl Harbor. We don't live in a world free from security worries. We have to protect the very thing that protects us.

Yes, the development company made a lot of expensive repairs and improvements to the beach. it was a must to save it from erosion. They have provided a safe place for the residents here.

Some people want the beach to be open now. Are they prepared to help reimburse for the improvements? Are they ready to provide lifeguards, as there is a strong undertow? Can they afford maintenance and security? There are no bathrooms or showers available.

The state cannot maintain the beaches it has now. Why should the development company be held responsible for all the expenses?

Just down the road there are beaches that are underused and undermaintained. The Leeward side has some of the most beautiful beaches on this island and people can't even use a large portion of them. Where is the outcry for something to be done for them?

Suzan Omer
'Ewa Beach

HAWAIIAN RIGHTS

AKAKA BILL IS DESIGNED TO DESCRIBE A PROCESS

I finally find a personal area of agreement with the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i and its president, Richard Rowland. His letter of Sept. 17 characterized the Akaka bill as "largely empty."

That is precisely correct and precisely the point. The bill is designed to describe a process, not describe the structure of the finished product.

This "emptiness" contains no provisions for casino gambling, no provisions for seizure of private property, no exemptions from state or federal taxes, no language asserting a separate justice system, nor any other fear-induced provisos that Akaka opponents invent and abundantly cast about.

Davis Ho
Honolulu

HAWAI'I

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET AHEAD, AFFORD RENT?

As a single parent, I find it very difficult getting any kind of break.

I have full physical custody of both my children with no child support. I have been having a hard time looking for a place to rent simply because I can't afford it.

I don't qualify for any type of affordable rentals because my gross income is too much for a family of three.

I just don't get it. My net income is only enough to pay for rent and utilities. There are other expenses, such as food, clothing, gas and car insurance. I do need to get to work and my kids do need to eat.

There is no justice for single parents who are trying to live on their own. Do they expect me to go out and get a minimum-paying job so that I can qualify? I worked hard to get where I am, but sometimes it isn't enough.

All I am asking is why is it so hard for a single parent like me to get anywhere?

Cynthia Segismundo
Kapolei