TRANSPORTATION

O'AHU SHOULD FOLLOW BIKE-FRIENDLY KYOTO

I hope Mayor Mufi Hannemann noticed the extraordinary number of bicyclists during his recent visit to Japan.

While enjoying last week vacationing in Kyoto, I was impressed with the congenial shared use of city sidewalks by cyclists and pedestrians. Hundreds of bicycles were parked near shops everywhere, and citizens of all ages appeared to be relying on two-wheelers for commuting and errands. Everyone seemed adept at holding an umbrella while pedaling through rain showers. I would guess that cycling contributes to their generally trim physiques, though their healthy diet certainly is a factor.

With gas above $5 per gallon and bike shops stocking efficient bikes starting at less than $100, this mode of transportation clearly makes economic sense in Kyoto. At a fraction of the cost of a railroad, Honolulu could develop a system of bicycle-friendly routes, thus preparing for the future when fossil fuel will no longer be cheap and people begin to rediscover the joys and rewards of pedaling.

TAX MONEY

MAKIKI LIBRARY NOT STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY

I find it hard to believe that anyone is seriously considering using tax money for the Makiki Library. The state has a public library system, with at least one branch within minutes of Makiki. This would set a very bad precedent for any group to establish a program and then expect the state/county to bail them out.

Makiki has known for years that the state's library system would not support them. Now, however, they are crying about a community center, a meeting place, a good program and so on. All of these may be true but it is not the state's kuleana to bail them out.

MICHELLE WIE

CUT SOME SLACK FOR TALENTED PRO GOLFER

It's already started as I hear and read criticism about Michelle Wie all over the place.

Some people will knock her stilted manner of speech, which is normal for a 16-year-old trying to adjust to an adult world. How many of us were perfectly at ease being interviewed in front of a camera at that age? How many of us as adults can ad-lib something that sounds sincere in front of the cameras?

And what is wrong about a teen "giving back to the community?" Any person old enough to have a sense of gratitude can give back to the community if he or she has the wherewithal.

And here, I believe, is the main motive of people throwing brickbats at this young golf phenom: She stands to make more money in a single golf season than a dozen grown men will make in a lifetime, and this seems to arouse naked jealousy in some people.

Of course, I won't attempt to read the minds of those throwing rocks at Michelle Wie, so I'm not saying that every person who is hypercritical of her is jealous; if the shoe fits, wear it. But please remember that although she looks and seems like a grown woman, she is a 16-year-old child and should not be judged by such rigid black-and-white standards.

Michelle Wie must learn that there will be people happy for her and people who are not too happy for her good fortune earned by years of practicing her art rather than playing video games or whatever else teenage girls do, and let all the mean-minded criticism go in one ear and out the other.

CASTLE JUNCTION

OH, THE LOVELY WEEDS

Let's hear it for the landscapers and groundskeepers of the recently reshaped hill at Castle Junction. Rarely do we get to see such a wide assortment of weeds grown in such a short time. The secret must be to water it only on rainy days.

GAS PRICES

BAD THERE, WORSE HERE

You reported to us on Monday that the nation's gas prices are up 10 cents over the past two weeks because of the hurricane activity in the Gulf region. But it's not for the residents of Hawai'i. Thanks to the brilliance of our doomed-to-repeat-history Legislature, we had to pay an increase of 40 cents or more over the past two weeks.

SCHOOLS

SELF-REPAIR BENEFICIAL

The probable results of having junior high and high school students take part in the repair of their schools will be character-building in the students and pride in their schools.

This is not a new idea; it is derived from Sen. Robert Kennedy's idea to have people participate in the building of their affordable housing.

NORTHWESTERN ISLANDS

FISHERS PROVIDE VIGIL AGAINST FOREIGN BOATS

I read Jay Nelson's letter ("Protecting waters is a gift for Hawaiians," Oct. 8) in support of Gov. Linda Lingle's decision to close the state waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to commercial fishing and her attempts to have the federal government follow suit, and I have to say they don't know how the real world operates.

The presence of these nine bottom fishing boats actually help protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from exploitation by foreign vessels. These bottom fishers have a stake in protecting this resource and they're the eyes that help keep foreign fishing boats from coming into these waters and taking everything they can, which the foreign fishing boats would surely do if they believed no one was watching.

The state does not have the money to patrol this area as well as the commercial bottom fishers do at present. And I doubt the federal government would provide the funds necessary to not only buy out the commercial bottom fishers, but to provide the boats and crews necessary to take over as eyes that protect these waters.