MISUNDERSTOOD

SPECIES ACT DOESN'T INFRINGE ON LANDOWNERS

Both U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's vote for H.R. 3824 and Michael McMurdo's praise for it (Letters, Oct. 12) show they don't understand how the Endangered Species Act works and, specifically, what "critical habitat" does. To pull species from the brink of extinction, the ESA prohibits federal agencies from participating in projects that destroy the places endangered and threatened species call home. This is common sense.

Critical habitat designation doesn't affect private land at all, as long as the federal government isn't involved. If landowners decide to seek federal subsidies, permits or other assistance, they need to ensure their project will not destroy habitat endangered species need. If landowners don't like that requirement, they don't have to seek federal help. The choice is theirs.

Hawai'i has the dubious distinction of being the endangered species capital of the country. Abercrombie should promote programs that encourage private landowners to take measures to help Hawai'i's species, not waste taxpayer money on payoffs for imaginary wrongs.

PRESERVE PENSION

BANKRUPT COMPANIES MUST HONOR EMPLOYEES

Companies that file bankruptcy should not be allowed to break their contracts with their employees. This is what they are doing when they decide to liquidate the pension funds, slash benefits, reduce pay and then, to add a touch of salt, increase the pay of management.

To be fair to all parties concerned, the bankrupt company should pay out the pension fund to the affected employees based on what has been deposited on their behalf. Then the employees can reinvest the money as they see fit.

Perhaps, companies should allow employees to choose the investment vehicle, similar to a 401(k) or medical coverage. This way, everything that is promised to the employee is given to the employee. And when the company is mismanaged or comes upon hard times, the worker at the bottom wouldn't bear an unequal burden.

TOUGH ECONOMY

DON'T FAULT LANDLORDS FOR RENTING OUT HOME

It amazes me that anyone begrudges the homeowner who subsidizes living expenses with a rental unit in this real estate climate! With the cost of housing so high, and the cost of living on an island, people need to make ends meet any way they can.

Does anyone think it is a picnic to have renters in your home? Please. A home is the largest investment most people ever make. Preserving our investment in any way we must is our own prerogative, and in this case, it is a means of support for our tourist-based economy. It is a win-win situation.

STOP RACES

TRIATHLON BARRED US FROM HOME, RUINED DAY

I live in Kamiloiki Valley and attended church last Sunday. I knew the triathlon was happening and we made extra time to get to church. However, on the way home, when we finally got to the intersection to go into the valley, we were denied access. The police officer said the road was closed and my only option was to park the car and walk one mile with my young son to my home.

I was fuming. First of all, there is no way I should be denied access to my home, unless there is an emergency — and I don't think a triathlon is an emergency. Second, there was no advance warning about shutting down the valley. If I knew that I couldn't return home I wouldn't have left.

We just had the Honolulu Century Ride and the marathon is around the corner, and I think there is another bike race in the summer. How much more do we have to be inconvenienced? There should be a limit to the events; they just keep adding on, with no concern to the families that live in that neighborhood.

We already deal with traffic during the normal work week. Don't ruin our Sundays, too.

MISPLACED SYMPATHY

SO WHEN'S THE SERIES ON VICTIMS OF CRIME?

I'll be looking forward to your series of articles and full-page editorials on the fate of crime victims. After your outpouring of misplaced sympathy for the prisoners and their "problems," crime victims deserve equal sympathy and coverage.

You can start by identifying the damage done by your "model prisoners" and what assistance and restitution their victims received. Crime is random and vicious and anyone, including you and your ACLU buddies, can suddenly become a victim.

PARADIGM SHIFT

WIE BLAZED TRAIL FOR YOUNG WOMEN, ASIANS

I feel that the question is no longer whether Michelle Wie is gifted and exceptional, but rather to what extent her talents have affected the young women of Hawai'i.

Beyond being a role model, she has been a pioneer in breaking the stereotypical mold of Asian-Americans in the eyes of the general American public. Many of us will reap the benefits of her high achievements, whether we realize it or not. Her greatest feat is not the length of her drive but rather that she has given a stronger credibility to the Asian-American community through her undeniable skill and perseverance.

I hope that we can applaud the triumphs of Michelle, as she has been very dynamic in the development of her own career and of her professional image from a very young age. She serves Hawai'i's youth well in the eyes of all Americans and, in fact, the world. She has given us all a lot to be proud of and made us realize we are not strictly limited by the career paths of those who have gone before. Go, Michelle!

KAWAI NUI

MARSH SUFFERS AS CITY, STATE PLAY HOT POTATO

The City & County of Honolulu has been sitting on the request to transfer Kawai Nui Marsh to the state for five years, in effect blackmailing the state: Take over city flood control responsibility or no land transfer and therefore no $5 million in federal funds for waterbird habitat construction.

When asked at the Oct. 4 meeting if the city would therefore be willing to take responsibility for maintaining the waterbird habitat, Laverne Higa (director of the city Department of Facility Maintenance) said, "No."

I would like to remind Laverne that with "enjoyment of the property" comes responsibility. The city has let a public trust resource, Kawai Nui Marsh, become a massive, overgrown weed patch under its "stewardship."

No longer can one see open water from the highway into Kailua. In fact, you can't even see the marsh itself because of all the trees that have grown in a wetland that has international importance.

Furthermore, the more growth in the marsh, the less water it can hold, and the more likely another flood will occur. No wonder the city wants to pass on responsibility to the state.

And the city doesn't seem interested in a compromise either: Transfer parcel 22 to the state so the waterbird habitat construction can go forward in time to qualify for the federal match, and work with the state for joint responsibility on flood control with the remaining portion of the marsh transferred when that agreement is concluded.

PEDESTRIAN DEATHS

CROSSWALKS WITHOUT SIGNALS VERY DANGEROUS

Not long ago, The Advertiser had an excellent analysis of pedestrian deaths in Honolulu. Though I know that deaths in crosswalks represent less than 20 percent of total pedestrian fatalities, I wonder if anyone has looked at the frequency of such accidents in crosswalks that are mid-block and without signals versus those in traditional corner crosswalks. The mid-block variety strikes me as extremely dangerous, and I suspect they are vastly over-represented in pedestrian fatalities.

I personally have seen a number of near-accidents at such locations when a van or SUV in the outside lane comes to a stop, yet blocks the view of the pedestrian from other traffic on the street.

Such crosswalks appear to give pedestrians a false sense of safety while drawing them into great danger. I would recommend all such crosswalks either be eliminated or have signals installed.