NORTH SHORE

DO WHAT IS PONO, KEEP THE COUNTRY COUNTRY

I would like to express my concern regarding proposed development at Turtle Bay. Any further development would certainly destroy what still remains of the natural ambiance, warmth and beauty of our rural North Share community.

The aloha spirit that was once prevalent here has all but disappeared as our way of life is being severely challenged.

It is imperative that the powers that be curtail any further large-scale development such as that proposed by the Kuilima Resort Co. before it is too late! It is unconscionable that our way of life and the beauty of the North Shore be jeopardized any more. Once it is gone, it's gone for good. It is our kuleana to do what is pono and keep the country country!

KAHUKU NEEDS, WISHES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED

Your recent article on the expansion of the Turtle Bay Resort (Oct. 13) suggests that the Kahuku community is divided on the issue. But it is clear that the only support for the project is coming from a handful of individuals who were involved in the unilateral agreement negotiations more than 20 years ago.

When the agreement was negotiated, the Kahuku sugar mill had just closed and jobs were an important consideration in the community. Today, those who represented Kahuku in the original agreement are retired, and their children's children are going off to college. Their world, and ours, is very different.

With statewide unemployment under 3 percent and a number of jobs available at the resort, this community is more concerned about affordable housing and traffic than the creation of hundreds of non-living-wage service jobs and the desecration of some of the last open spaces on the North Shore. As evidenced by recent protests at Honolulu Hale and the resort, this is an islandwide issue with people across O'ahu opposing the expansion plans.

The decision by Oaktree Capital to act on the decades-old permit indicates that its view of the economic landscape in Hawai'i has changed. Similarly, the needs and wishes of the Kahuku community have changed. It is incumbent on the developers to stop moving forward on their plans and first address the needs of today's community.

TEACHERS

DRUG-TESTING PROPOSAL UNWISE, ILL-CONCEIVED

Although no evidence has been presented linking the sad case of special education teacher Lee N. Anzai with drug abuse in our schools, state Sen. Norman Sakamoto proposes universal testing of new teachers and random testing of existing teachers.

The hasty proposal is as unwise as it is ill-conceived. Unsubstantiated assumptions do not outweigh the general right to privacy enjoyed by all citizens.

We would be better served if legislators exercised informed judgment and did not seek cheap political capital from tragic headlines. If recent events in Congress are a guide, what's next on Senator Sakamoto's agenda, drug testing for political candidates?

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

DHS FAILED TO GET BEST PRICES FOR RESIDENTS

Lillian Koller's letter (Sept. 26) fails to respond to the fact that the Department of Human Services did not negotiate with drug manufacturers, as she stated in a public meeting. These negotiations were the clear intent of the legislation passed in 2004, setting up the Rx Plus program. DHS's failure to negotiate with the drug manufacturers for rebates and pharmacy discounts took away an avenue to further reduce prescription drug prices for our Hawai'i residents. This was a huge mistake on the part of DHS.

Legislators and advocacy groups promised the public that these negotiations would take place to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The Department of Human Services has damaged the credibility of these groups by failing to negotiate rebates.

It is time for DHS to work with the Legislature and other interested parties to find ways to allow Hawai'i residents to receive the best possible reduction in their prescription drug costs.

BOTTLE LAW

HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS DONE MEDIOCRE JOB

Most would agree that recycling is a good thing. It's good for the Earth, good for the Islands, good for our children and for posterity. Our Legislature gives us a container-recycling law to be administered by our state government. But Gov. Linda Lingle's Health Department does a mediocre job in putting the law into practice, making the redemption process an inconvenient and unpleasant experience. Is it intentional because the law was created by a Democratic Legislature?

What's so hard about making the redeeming of bottles and cans as easy and convenient as possible? Like requiring redemption centers to be open on Sundays and at least until 6 or 7 p.m. And having employees who are helpful and pleasant.

The best solution, of course, is curbside pickup of our recyclables. No deposits to pay, less storage problems, no driving to redemption centers and no waiting in lines.

What a huge accomplishment for Mayor Mufi Hannemann if he could pull this off for us. We're still hopeful that he will.

TRANSIT

POLITICIANS HIDING TRUTH ABOUT RAIL AND ITS COSTS

With only weeks to go before the decision on light rail, the City Council and the mayor have yet to provide the public with any numbers. They are even fooling you with the name; light rail is rail that runs at street level. Above-ground systems are heavy rail.

For the politicians, rail means control, power, perks, privileges and budgets. This means jobs and votes.

A popular myth is that rail is rapid transit. It ain't. Rail goes along at 15 to 20 mph. It's slow and inflexible. Another good one is, "Honolulu is too big a city not to have rail." Well, Honolulu is large, but as a metropolitan area, Honolulu is 56th in the nation. The smallest metro area with rail is Miami, with a population 4.5 times larger than Honolulu. They are also not telling you that the subsidy will be huge. Add it to TheBus subsidy of $120 million, and we will be paying hundreds of millions to keep both systems afloat. The full costs, if exposed, are staggering. That is why you are not seeing them.

TOLL ROAD NOT WORTH THE EXPENSE, HASSLES

Why not rail? I've ridden rail in Japan and Oregon. Ridership was high, and the rides were great in both cities. The train stations were comfortable. Arrivals and departures were like clockwork. It's so much better than wondering whether your commute will take one hour or five hours! So much better than being in a bus, stuck in traffic too.

Why add a toll road? You drive from Kapolei and still have to merge into the massive traffic at the end. An accident on the toll road would be a disaster. Imagine being on it with no way to get off!

Also, add up the expense of it: paying possibly $8 to $10 for the two-way toll, usual parking fees and gas. All for still being in traffic at the merge into the usual traffic congestion, or possibly being stuck on it for five hours when an accident on it is being investigated. It's not worth it!

KAUA'I

FERRY SHOULD GO ONLY WHERE PEOPLE WANT IT

Kaua'i residents are greatly distressed over the possibility of the ferry coming here.

We see how the Superferry may serve O'ahu. People there are anxious to find peace and tranquility, and how convenient to take their car to other islands for a nice weekend.

Kauaians fly if they want to go to O'ahu. And one roundtrip to the Big Island or Maui, for two people, a car and two mandatory nights on O'ahu, would cost more than $700 and include 15 hours aboard that ferry. Who would ever consider a trip like that? Two people can fly roundtrip to the Big Island and rent a car for under $500 and spend four hours travel time.

Why would Kaua'i support something that only hurts our island — traffic, crime, more people (and not necessarily vacationing ones who come to spend and enjoy)?

The Superferry is not designed for our use. It is designed for others to come here and use this island.

There are other problems, too, including whale-breeding disturbance and creating a mess in Nawiliwili Harbor. How can something so major and so drastic be imposed on us without a vote, without a debate and without an environmental impact study?

If other islands want it, fine — if Kaua'i doesn't, fine. The ferry can go where people are asking for it.

GOVERNMENT

WHY THE PUBLIC LACKS CONFIDENCE IN OFFICIALS

How can the government expect the public, to have any confidence in anything that is really important?

Isn't public safety a prime responsibility? There was no natural disaster for O'ahu, yet the entire island was without electricity — almost 24 hours for our neighborhood. That is unacceptable.

No person currently holding any public office should be reelected, since that is the only way we can make our disgust known'

The educational system is dismal to say the least; sewers still flow into the ocean; the water system does not have generator backup; it took an hour for Civil Defense radio to give information. Our streets are poorly maintained. Is there anything the government excels at except spending our tax dollars foolishly?

Now they want us to believe a billion or so needs to be spent on a train system that everyone says isn't a solution, just another Band-Aid! Meanwhile, our residents are living in tents because there is only shelter for the majority.

Where are the priorities?