KAILUA

MARINES SAVE THE DAY AT RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT

Just weeks before the opening ceremonies of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life held recently Kailua Beach Park, the organizers were told that because of a scheduling change, HECO would not supply power for the event.

Fearing a dark and quiet fundraiser, a call was made to Marine Corps Base Hawai'i to see if they could help. Within days, Combat Service Support Group 3 had stepped in to assist, and the Relay For Life went off without a hitch.

I can't thank the young Marines enough. They supplied power and lighting for 18 hours without a single interruption and were up all night with us, joining the battle against cancer.

They were a shining example of what the Marine Corps represent in the community, and I was proud to shake their hands and thank them for their service to us and their country.

In addition, several dozen MCBH Marine volunteers assisted with setting up the event, and music was energetically provided by the Marine Forces Pacific Show Band. We thank you all.

POLITICS

WHICH PARTY AFFILIATION WILL ED CASE CHOOSE?

I received a letter from Ed Case seeking funds to run for a yet-to-be-determined office.

I could not help but notice that there is no mention of Ed being a Democrat in the letter.

My question is this: Will Ed run as a Democrat or is his party affiliation still to be determined?

CONDO HOTEL UNITS

OWNER DISGUSTED BY LATEST PROPERTY TAX BILL

Recently, I received my property tax bill for several properties that I own in Honolulu.

I was appalled, angered and disgusted, as I believe many other recipients were and will be.

My unit at the Ala Moana Condo Hotel that is less than 300 square feet is taxed at $3,255, which is $668 more than my 2,250-square-foot residence in Hawai'i Kai.

On top of that, I pay almost 12 percent of any rental income with GET and transient accommodation tax.

I also have a 185-square-foot room at the Aloha Surf Condo Hotel. This year's tax is $1,985.

What is going on? These are condo hotels with rooms owned by individuals, not deep-pocket corporations. The city's actions will force many to sell.

VIOLET STREET

OTHER BRIDGES PRESENT DIFFICULTIES FOR WALKERS

City Director of Facility Maintenance, Laverne Higa's letter on July 20 on the Violet Street bridge was full of omissions.

She identified an alternative bridge three blocks away, but did not state how difficult the trek would be to get to it. The route also includes several blocks that have no sidewalk. The other bridge is at the bottom of a large ravine, and goes far up to the other side.

The Higa letter omits that at the July 11 neighborhood board meeting we were told no assessment of community need, repair or retrofit was conducted. Another engineer stated his belief the bridge could be rehabilitated. The cost of rehabilitation is believed to be far less than demolition or replacement.

The bridge has not been maintained by previous or current administrations. The city is ignoring the problems caused by switching focus to another bridge, several blocks away in a steep area with no sidewalks.

Kalihi Valley needs basic decency and support for the limited facilities available to our residents in their work, school and daily activities.

We need the Violet Street bridge, and must not lose it to lack of maintenance and disregard of community needs.

WATER SUPPLY

BUILD MORE RESERVOIRS, A DESALINATION PLANT

It's that time of year when the Board of Water Supply is urging us to conserve water.

All forms of media are being used to bombard us with conservation tips. And I will only mention the numerous water main breaks in passing. What a waste.

But what is the Board of Water Supply doing to help conserve water? Building more reservoirs to catch all the runoff when it rains? Desalination of seawater? We're surrounded by saltwater, yet there's no effort to make fresh water out of this abundant natural resource.

Maybe they can take some of the money they're using for conservation commercials and use it to build a reservoir or two, get a desalination plant going or build a water supply system that doesn't leak.

TRANSIT

RAISED TOLLWAY MAKES MORE SENSE FOR O'AHU

How can some politicians refer to the planned rail system as mass transit?

Without going to the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, a large segment of the future ridership will not be interested. At best, it will only be taking riders from our already excellent bus system.

How can the City Council force us to pay for an outrageously expensive system that the majority of the voters would not vote for if given the opportunity? Who do they work for ?

It's a shame we don't have the money to get rid of the potholes or to modernize our aging sewer system.

An elevated tollway would help our traffic within two years at 1/7 the cost. Why not make the elevated tollway wide enough and strong enough to hold a light-rail system at some future time?

That way much of the construction cost and most of the inconvenience would be taken care of (it would be up and out of the way of the normal roadway).

I just hope the voters remember this when the next election comes around.