GASOLINE

MAINLAND PRICES ARE GOING DOWN; NOT HERE

Earlier this year, I talked with a friend in North Carolina and the subject of gas prices came up. At the time, he was paying about $2.74 a gallon, and here in Honolulu I was paying around $2.94, only 20 cents difference. I talked with him recently, and he is paying $2.64 and I am paying $3.27, over 60 cents per gallon difference.

If ever there was a case of price gouging going on, this would be it. On the Mainland before and after a hurricane or disaster, it is illegal for stores or service providers to gouge the public — but yet we're being gouged every day.

This time you can't tell me it's the price you pay to live in paradise. OK, it is the price I have to pay — but it's not right. What we need is a go! gasoline station.

MANOA FALLS

'FOREST RESTROOMS' DESPOIL STREAM, CANAL

The state has replaced some of the most difficult areas of the Manoa Falls trail with gravel walkways and with curbs and steps made of recycled plastic and other materials.

Because the trail is easier to hike, it has become a very popular attraction. When the weather is good, hundreds of people, including tour groups, hike the trail daily.

Since there are no restroom facilities, the hikers use the forest areas bordering the trail as restrooms. In heavy rains, some of these areas drain into Manoa Stream, which drains into the Ala Wai Canal.

Besides contaminating the forest areas and Manoa Stream, use of the "forest restrooms" causes an awkward and embarrassing situation for the hikers.

I hope the state doesn't encourage even more hikers by making further "improvements" to the trail.

EDITORIALS

GIVE US CONSISTENCY ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Why the flip-flop?

The Honolulu Advertiser's editorial of Jan. 30, 2001: "Hawai'i has an opportunity to teach the nation a lesson about energy self-sufficiency and the potential to wean ourselves from dependence on oil and other nonrenewable resources."

The Honolulu Advertiser's editorial of June 29, 2002: " ... instead of expanding our dependence on fossil fuels, we'd like to see more resources committed to developing alternative energy."

The Honolulu Advertiser's editorial of June 20, 2006: "Demonstrating that O'ahu needs more power should be easy. The tough part will be convincing the PUC that the best answer is another fossil-fuel-burning plant. Critics say the extra capacity could be developed without the need for a new plant. ... the tilt at this point appears to favor building the new plant."

REP. CASE

AKAKA MUST DEBATE TO CLARIFY THE ISSUES

Why, oh why, is Sen. Akaka not open to a public debate with Congressman Case? The citizens of Hawai'i would love to see this so we can vote on the issues.

Both candidates should welcome this type of forum if they truly represent the best for Hawai'i.

Enough excuses from our current senator. Debate already. I would like to make an intelligent choice based on what you present and not on the fictitious age non-issue. Voters see through that excuse, anyway.

One last thing to both of these high-profile candidates: If you got it, bring it on. No worries, show the public you got it going on.

PARK SPACE

KAKA'AKO MAKAI BILL SHOULD BE APPROVED

A June 8 article by Andrew Gomes titled "State agency seeks to block housing ban on waterfront" mentions Ron Iwami as an HFD fire captain who supports House Bill 2555. This bill would stop the sale of state public land at Kaka'ako Makai and stop residential development in this area.

Many of us were impressed with Iwami's "from the heart" leadership, as president of Friends of Kewalo Basin Park Association, which he organized with friends to stop this Hawai'i Community Development Authority project.

Iwami was trained well in the Fire Department. Realizing the need for additional help fighting this fire, he and others rallied 12 other organizations and proceeded with his leadership planning, including meetings, rallies and "a people's march" to the state Capitol.

HB2555 was unanimously passed by the Senate and House, less one vote. We now must wait for Gov. Lingle's signature to pass HB2555. I hope she is listening to the Legislature and residents who rallied in support of this legislation.

Kaka'ako Makai must be kept as park open space for the people of Hawai'i, and for the 20,000 to 30,000 new residences projected for the Kaka'ako District.

HAWAIIANS

KAMEHAMEHA SHOULD END ITS DISCRIMINATION

Kamehameha Schools' admission policy discriminates against Hawaiian children who are academically challenged. All Hawaiian children should have the opportunity to attend Kamehameha. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The admission policy gives preference to children with Hawaiian ancestry. However, the test that is administered weeds out the children who struggle academically.

As a DOE teacher who has taught in schools with high populations of Hawaiian children, I am very disappointed in the way Kamehameha selects students. Most of the children who are selected to attend Kamehameha are high academic achievers who will probably do well anywhere.

If the school is going to fight for its right to give preference to children of Hawaiian ancestry, then it needs to re-evaluate the way it selects students and give all Hawaiian children an equal opportunity to attend the school.

LOWER FARES

AIRLINE COMPETITION WILL STIMULATE TRAFFIC

A recent letter to the editor criticized the new carrier go! for offering low fares to its customers. I am the owner and CEO of Mokulele Airlines, a local company flying interisland. As we don't compete directly with the larger Hawai'i carriers, I think I can offer a fair and balanced view of go!'s entry.

I believe competition is good for Hawai'i and think we can all benefit. The more affordable interisland travel becomes, the more traffic will be stimulated.

Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of go! has said that given the already high load factors on interisland routes, these markets would appear to be underserved and, with the additional traffic stimulated by go!'s low fares, there should be more than enough traffic for the existing carriers.

The entry of go! has already led to lower fares. Last year, over 5 million passengers traveled between the Neighbor Islands. If the average ticket drops from $100 to $50, passengers will save over $250 million annually — a large amount of money by anyone's calculations. Any money saved may well be plowed back into the economy by additional spending.

OPPOSITION

SENATORS HEARD TRUTH ABOUT THE AKAKA BILL

Having recently returned from Washington, D.C., where I was part of a team of three kanaka maoli who opposed the ill-fated Akaka bill, I am elated by failure of the ruse to manipulate the "record" by purposefully and artificially attempting to garner votes for cloture — through misrepresentation — by attempting to make it appear that all the people of Hawai'i supported the bill.

The attempt at manipulating supporting votes failed. Proponents used conditions such as "only by invitation" and "testimony only by supporting agencies (that survive at the trough)" in hearings held only in Washington, in hopes to make the "record" appear that the bill was more popular than it really was — with all individuals in opposition who traveled there on their own nickel locked out.

Fortunately, we were able to neutralize the strategically unfair and immoral attempt to gerrymander votes by spreading the truth that there were Hawaiians in opposition.

The temporary takeover of 'Iolani Palace by others in opposition confirmed our position. Those senators' staffs we talked to were very appreciative to hear our version to correct the manipulated "record."