ENVIRONMENT

KA'ENA POINT FENCE IS NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER

I am greatly disturbed by the decision of the state and environmental groups to fence off the natural area reserve at Ka'ena Point. The proposed fence is 6.5 feet high, is of fine mesh and will surround the 59-acre reserve completely to the high-water mark.

It will be constructed in the hope of protecting ground nesting birds from rats, dogs and mongooses and would "blend into the hillside." Gates are proposed to allow people to visit the reserve.

As someone who visits and appreciates the beauty of Ka'ena, I find this egregious farce a scar on our beautiful coastline. There are many questions.

Does the state believe that these "pests" cannot make their way around the fence via the gap at the high-water mark? Is this protection necessary? The Ka'ena NARS is a small plot of land and ground nesting birds breed at many areas, including 10 small islands within the main Hawaiian Islands. There are 118 more nesting islands if the Northwest Hawaiian Islands are included.

If this fence blends seamlessly into the hillside, won't these birds be injured flying into the fence as they return to their nest at nightfall? Gates will allow access, but they have a funny way of becoming locked later on. This is an idea that needs serious reconsideration.

So have we come to this? Do we now keep our natural resources under glass so that we may look and not touch? This is not the answer.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

HA'IKU STAIRS ACCESS SUGGESTION IS REPRISED

I wrote an easy solution to the Ha'iku Stairs problem about a year ago, but it seems no one is listening. So, I will give you the easy solution again.

Between Windward Community College and Hokulele subdivision is a large land easement where people can walk up to the access road that leads to the stairway.

People can park their cars at the parking lots below the college at Kane'ohe District Park, walk up to the back right of the campus, go through the fence that has a entrance way and walk to the access road.

The parking lots have restrooms and water fountains. Maybe this is too simple a solution for everybody.

NEWS BALANCE

PAPER KEEPING WAR IN IRAQ IN PERSPECTIVE

Kudos to The Honolulu Advertiser for keeping the Iraq war in perspective for its readers.

I cite a recent article entitled "Soccer win gives Iraq a rare bit of good news," and another article right next to it announcing two more soldiers were killed in regional combat.

While I would never begrudge the Iraqis what little happiness they can find, I know we can never let anything dilute the fact that our American men and women are dying every day for our freedom.

Rarely would I herald your newspaper as being balanced, but this placement won you some redemption in my eyes — let's see if it's a trend.

IRAQ

BOTH MISSION, TROOPS MUST HAVE OUR SUPPORT

Contrary to what Renee Riley thinks in her letter ("Support our troops, bring them back home," Aug. 3), real support means supporting the mission as well as the soldier.

I am tired of people who haven't served in this war or supported it exclaiming that all troops should be withdrawn immediately.

I support this war, I support these soldiers and I want the mission finished for the greater good of not only the U.S., but the world.

I have not forgotten 9/11 or the myriad other terrorist attacks around the globe for the last three or four decades, and I do not believe that the U.S. or any of the other victims of terror were the cause.

TRANSIT

TRAIN IS AN INFLEXIBLE OPTION, THEBUS IS NOT

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is inflexible on changing the train to the better bus concept.

The transit train is inflexible as to where it goes. The train is inflexible as to where it stops.

The train is inflexible as to the speed it travels. The train is inflexible as to taking your bike and other bulky stuff. Buses are flexible as to where they go, where they stop and the speed they travel, and they will take your bike.

TheBus exists and is already subsidized by all O'ahu property taxpayers — who are all able to use it throughout the island.

The train would be an additional city expense subsidized by all O'ahu taxpayers (excise tax) even though not all O'ahu citizens can use it. Also, it does not solve the traffic problem. A better bus system does.

Mayor Mufi can solve the traffic problem by getting rid of the train and using TheBus.

OTHER TRANSIT PROJECTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

I'm very much against Mayor Mufi Hannemann's adamant position with regard to rail transit.

The City Council is studying alternate mass transit proposals, namely elevated bus routes with more convenient exiting. But Mayor Mufi will not consider any alternatives to his pet project.

Why? Because this is his monument, his legacy and he doesn't want it to be tampered with.

Come on, mayor, let's consider a project that is more convenient and a less costly alternative.

TRAFFIC

TAILGATING ANNOYING, DANGEROUS ON FREEWAY

Tailgating is fine at the stadium, but not on the freeway.

If I have to stop, I don't want you in my passenger seat.

Give me some room to breathe — back off, please.

THEBUS

REAL-TIME HOT LINE SHOULD BE PROVIDED

The other day, a 95-year old man and I were waiting for the No. 14 bus that was scheduled to arrive at 6:05 p.m. at the Sierra and Lurline bus stop.

We both use the bus daily to visit family at the nearby Maunalani Nursing Center.

We shared a 45-minute wait for the delayed bus in a light drizzle. I called the bus schedule information number, but I just got a prerecorded message.

I then asked my husband to pick us up. What would have happened to the man if I hadn't been there? He lives alone and does not have a cell phone.

Delays are inevitable, and in most cases they are just an inconvenience to riders. For the elderly bus riders who accompany me on route No. 14, delays are more serious. These riders don't complain. They hope to get around without being in an adverse environment or risking personal injury in the dark.

How about giving riders a real-time information hot line about delayed or missing buses at all hours? How about posting this number at each bus stop?

Updated information would provide riders with the ability to make other arrangements or inform concerned individuals. It would also encourage use of public transportation.

PRISONERS

STATE HAS HAD TIME TO PLAN RE-ENTRY PROGRAM

The Lingle-Aiona administration has had more than four years to plan for and establish programming for rehabilitation and re-entry of prisoners into the community — four years with much surplus money.

It has now been reduced to defining the word "shall" in SB 932/Act 8 as having a "directory meaning" and not a "mandatory" meaning. Will this now be true of any Hawai'i statute with the word "shall?"

This latest ploy appears to be a lack of commitment to act on behalf of 2,100 prisoners and their families.

These 2,100 prisoners are part of Hawai'i and deserve the opportunity to be reintegrated with their families, return home, be trained and seek employment here.

Clayton Frank says it could "take years to build or find suitable bed space and develop enough substance abuse, anger management and other prisoner programs to handle returning prisoners."

Well, governor and lieutenant governor, you've had years. What are you waiting for?

COMPENSATION

FOOD BANK CEO SALARY WAS AN EYE-OPENER

Regarding The Advertiser article on Aug. 5, "Healthcare nonprofits paying CEOs top dollar":

Auwe! I am now considering stopping my donations to Hawai'i Food Bank.

I have been sending them gifts for years with the impression that an organization such as this had a lean overhead, concentrating monetary resources on those in need.

The CEO's salary adds another meaning to "Hawai'i Food BANK."

MILITARY SITES

ISLAND SCIENTIST SHOULD OVERSEE DU TESTING

Citizens concerned about depleted uranium are ecstatic that soon the Army will test for it around Pohakuloa, Makua, and Schofield Barracks.

Dr. Lorrin Pang, a well-respected scientist whose expertise on this matter has been recognized at both the state and federal level, has offered to accompany the Army scientist.

So far, our governor has not agreed that there is need for Dr. Pang to oversee the testing, but we are confident that we can win her over.

The next time you enjoy the beach or hike a trail, pause to reflect on the beauty of Hawai'i's natural environment. We are blessed to live here, and we must protect the 'aina.

Unless Dr. Pang is allowed to act as oversight monitor, the question of whether the results have been influenced by political agendas will remain. Concerned citizens are urged to contact the governor.

TUNNEL

PALI HIGHWAY POTHOLE A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD

My daughter could have been killed or more seriously injured recently when she was driving on the Pali Highway.

Just inside the first tunnel, Kailua-bound, she hit a pothole that immediately flattened both passenger side tires, causing the airbags to deploy.

Luckily, she did not lose control of the car, nor did she get hit by other cars.

I want to thank the four Marines who assisted her until the police and ambulance arrived.

The police officer, the ambulance driver, the tow-truck operator and every resident of Kailua know about the right lane in the tunnels ... when is the state going to do something about it?

After someone is killed?