CLEANUP NEEDED IN USS ARIZONA WATERS

While I laud the Navy's cleanup of more than 20 tons of old tires from the Pearl Harbor waterfront, it perplexes me why there has been no similar cleanup to remove the oil from the hold of the USS Arizona, under the Arizona Memorial. The old ship continues to leak oil into the harbor.

At a recent visit to the memorial, I asked one of the people in charge why the oil has not been removed from the ship; the explanation is that it is "a sacred site."

With the advanced technology we have nowadays, there must be a way to remove this oil or create some type of containment. One only needs to visit the memorial, see the sheen of oil on the water, observe how it has killed the surrounding coral and wonder how allowing this continuing pollution is part of "honoring" men who died for our country. Perhaps a survey of the family members and survivors of Pearl could be done to determine whether they would be offended if this was done to the ship.

Libby Tomar | Kailua

ENTERTAINMENT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DON; AUWE, WAIKIKI

Don Ho's birthday was celebrated Aug. 13 at the restaurant that bears his name — for now, anyway. I was there, along with a delightful lineup of entertainers who were nurtured by Don throughout his years performing in Waikiki. What a shame that there are so few venues in the heart of our tourist mecca to showcase the wonderful talent Hawai'i has to offer.

Decades ago, Duke Kahanamoku's was the place to go, to embrace the joy and lifelong memories Don Ho served every night, while other notable local entertainers were spotlighted in hotels up and down the strip. Those were the days. We ventured into Waikiki for the best entertainment in the Islands. Now there are silver people asking for money, and the showrooms are void of the essence of our musical culture.

I thank Don's widow, Haumea Hebenstreit Ho, for loving uncle Don unconditionally and with all her heart until the end, and for planning the celebration of his life by showcasing the fabulous entertainers who no longer have a stage.

Linda Coble | Manoa

TOURISM

PROMOTING CULTURE WILL DRAW EUROPEANS

Walking around Waikiki streets as an Italian visitor, I have noticed a lack of Europeans. Are you marketing enough to European travelers? We travel a lot, and we really would love O'ahu.

I would suggest setting up a more effective strategy to attract Europeans, taking into account that the new market segment of travelers often prefer authentic experiences over global shopping mall products.

First of all, I would strongly recommend the creation of a network of traveler information offices. Second, I would suggest investing in new socially responsible traveling proposals such as "zero impact" or eco-travel lodging. Similar concepts I have experienced in Mozambique and Brazil would fit perfectly in Hawai'i.

Third, I would promote more cultural events such as art exhibitions, music concerts and Hawaiian cultural festivals.

After that you will need to advertise the new O'ahu "brand positioning" through international magazines articles, public relation campaigns and tourist guide presence. I would translate the Hawaiian guide books in more languages.

I am definitely convinced that this would be a win-win business and cultural operation. What would make those Europeans travelers happy would also help the people of Hawai'i to preserve their cultural identity.

Federica Braghi | Honolulu

KA'ENA POINT

PARK USERS' LITTERING A SAD DESECRATION

Every weekend, my daughter, her father and my niece go out to Ka'ena Point — not to play or fish or necessarily enjoy the stark beauty of that area (which they do), but to pick up after others.

They haul out burnt pallets and rubbish left behind by people who see this area as a place to carouse and dump. Many of these pallets are brought in by young soldiers who feel they have a right to set bonfires and party (illegally) in this park, at night. A couple a weeks ago, a brushfire burned many acres of land at Ka'ena Point, destroying native foliage.

For me, a longtime kama'aina, to see such desecration of a supposedly protected area is a sad state of affairs.

Please have consideration, whether you are a resident or active-duty military: Obey the posted signs. If you are out in that area to enjoy, haul out your own rubbish.

Do not set bonfires — this is a very dry part of the island and any careless spark or flame can cause great destruction. Park, picnic, fish and enjoy, but do not run your off-road vehicles on the delicate sand dunes.

Please be considerate and responsible.

Barbara Long | Mililani

STATE PAYROLL

UNION LEADERS' LOGIC DOESN'T ADD UP

The esteemed leaders of our public-sector unions stated in their Aug. 16 Island Voices commentary ("Union view: State layoffs no solution,") that "we cannot cut our way to prosperity," and that the projected "financial impact of the governor's three-day-per-month furlough plan would be a loss of more than $200 million in state tax revenue," and that "targeting public employees will create a new deficit, not a new economy."

Aside from the exceedingly questionable math that must have been used to compute that reducing state payroll by $768 million would create a loss or deficit of more than $200 million, the implication is that maintaining, or perhaps even increasing state payrolls would actually improve our ailing economy.

Thus, using their logic, if the state — already with about twice the number of employees per capita of population to any other state — were to maintain, or even increase the number of employees, we would benefit our economy and maybe help unemployment at the same time.

Yeah, that should work!

Jimmy Wolery | Kane'ohe

PAY CUTS

UNION BOSSES SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Hey, when are all the union bosses going to take a pay cut? Their exorbitant salaries were recently published and it's time for them to act!

What are they waiting for? C'mon guys, lead by example, eh!

Mel Rodenhurst | Kailua