WORLD WAR II

100TH BATTALION LEGACY MUST BE CHERISHED

Catherine Toth's excellent series of articles on the 100th Infantry Battalion World War II veterans appropriately honors men who have done extraordinary things for the people of Hawai'i and the world.

My father is one of these men who just want to be remembered as regular guys who are good people.

They don't seek recognition, but we, especially the descendents, need to keep the memory of their legacy alive because the rights that have been afforded to us came with a heavy price.

We cannot take these rights for granted, and must cherish and protect them for all people.

We see every day that fear and mistrust can lead people to do awful things to one another. It's up to all of us to protect the values we hold dear and pass them down to future generations.

Mahalo to The Advertiser for helping us do just that.

MAHALO

RESIDENTS STOPPED TO OFFER HELP IN RUSH HOUR

While I was driving on the H-1 westbound on June 21, my 2- year-old daughter threw up on herself and her car seat. As I began cleaning her and the car seat, a solo bike police officer drove by and asked if I needed assistance. I explained my situation and he drove off.

In a world that is so busy, I did not expect any more offers of assistance. But, two gentlemen stopped and asked if I needed assistance.

The first gentleman, in a sedan, pulled off the road in front of me and asked if I needed help. The second gentleman, in a pickup truck, rolled down his window and asked if I needed help.

I don't remember if I even said thank you to the police officer and those two gentlemen.

Thank you for your generous offer of help from a mom of two in rush-hour traffic in the gray Sienna van.

RECYCLING

SHIPPING OUR GARBAGE NOT VERY PROGRESSIVE

Regarding The Advertiser's Page One article, "City will seek deals to ship trash to Mainland" (June 20): I find it very interesting that most, if not all, cities in the U.S. have recycled for 20 to 30 years while Honolulu has chosen not to.

And now instead of shipping valuable reusable recycled materials, we must pay to ship our 'opala. Doesn't seem very progressive to me.

I think we need a change. We need recycling now. As the mayor says — put 'opala in its place.

WAIKIKI

RESTORE NATATORIUM TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY

I hope the state and the city can resolve other issues faster than they have been able to resolve how they will proceed with the Natatorium.

They have been futzing with this issue for 30 years now. This is not rocket science, folks. The options are either fix it up or tear it down.

Restore the Natatorium and after it's restored to its original glory, the renovated facility could include a base of operations for the ocean safety folks in Waikiki, a small gift shop, and a small theater that could show videos explaining the Natatorium's history and dos and don'ts of swimming, surfing and diving in Hawai'i.

Please don't join the cities and states that care more for a few extra tax dollars than our nation's history.

TRANSIT

HIGHER GASOLINE PRICES WON'T FORCE SWITCH

I don't know what John Williamson was smoking when he wrote his commentary on future rail ridership, but whatever it was, it left stars in his eyes.

His argument — that it will only be a matter of time when the price of gas rises to $4 or $4.50 a gallon and people stop using their cars to take mass transit — is simply a dream, and one that proponents of rail like to use more and more to justify their ill-fated boondoggle.

Isn't that the same argument they made about cigarettes — that when the price of a pack reaches $4, no one will buy them? It's just more of the same pie-in-the-sky baloney, with absolutely no facts to back it up.

It's also the same argument they make about sitting in traffic. Hmmm — let's see. Would I rather spend an hour in traffic or spend two to three hours trying to catch mass transit to get to the same place?

It's not about the price of gas; it's about a resource too valuable to waste — time.

POLITICS

AFTER BUSH DEBACLE, CANNOT TOLERATE GOP

In a new Newsweek poll published last week, President Bush's approval rating reached a record low, making him the least popular president since Richard Nixon.

Among those who disapprove are nearly one third of Republicans. Surprisingly, 26 percent of Americans continue to approve of the job Bush is doing. Before George W. Bush became president, I had no problem tolerating Republicans while they tried to force their personal religious beliefs upon me, our government, our education system and into the homes and personal lives of all Americans. Yes, I simply tolerated this.

However, after the horrible nightmare of George W. Bush and his pals, I can no longer simply tolerate Republicans. I will do everything in my power to help elect anyone other than a Republican to any office in any election in which I am legally allowed to vote.

MUSIC

SYMPHONY PROMISES EXCITING NEW SEASON

Our Honolulu Symphony had a thrilling 2006-07 season. Highlights include the announcement of our new principal conductor, Andreas Delfs; a hugely successful Big Island education tour; and new director of education, Jon Magnussen.

The 2007-08 season promises to be exciting and full of discovery. Delfs will conduct his first concert as principal conductor on opening night, Aug. 25. We'll be performing in new venues since our customary home, the Blaisdell Concert Hall, will be host to "The Lion King" in the fall. Concert venues include the Hawai'i Theatre, Waikiki Shell, Blaisdell Arena and Mamiya Theatre.

For those who desire priority-seating preferences, preference is always given to season subscribers based on the yearlong commitment they have made. Single tickets are available to the general public after subscribers have been seated for the season. Seating areas such as the balcony are opened for sale based on sales and inventory trends.

If it's been a while since you've been to the symphony, please join us this season to hear and see what we have to offer. Whether you enjoy classical or contemporary — from Bach and Mozart to Three Dog Night and the music and cast of "Lost" — we promise you an incredible Honolulu Symphony season.

GOLF

WIE SHOULD FOCUS ON FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE

Oh, woe is Wie. I believe Michelle Wie is getting to a point of being burnt out in the pressurized world of golf competition.

She should completely drop golfing for at least a year and focus on her first year of college. Hopefully, she will be rejuvenated enough to continue her passion of golf.

If her parents are pushing her too hard to excel in golf, they should take a step back and let Michelle make her own decisions as to how far she should extend herself in golf competition.

WAR

UNITED STATES HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN IRAQ

Recently I saw a picture of a frightened Iraqi girl, perhaps 2 or 3 years old, sobbing. She crouched, a tiny figure against a blood-splattered wall, fists clenched trying to wipe away the tears that drenched her face.

I tried to finish reading the article but couldn't. My eyes kept drifting over to meet hers, looking directly into the camera.

I felt awful just sitting there reading, when I should be doing something to help her. If I had been there I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from running to her, to comfort her, to try to tell her it will be OK. But will it be?

This war is so horribly wrong in so many ways. We have no business in Iraq.

For that little girl and for uncounted others just like her, it may never again be OK.

We must leave Iraq. The sooner the better for everyone.

IRONWOODS

PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE GOOD FOR KAILUA

After reading Frank Rainey's commentary on June 21, I would also like to share my thoughts on the Ironwoods development planned for Kailua.

We all know Kailua is a very special place. This is why as a 30-year Kailua resident I appreciate the time DR Horton, Schuler Division, has taken over the past year to attend several community meetings.

As a result, Ironwoods has been designed to fit with the uniqueness Kailua offers, from the local-style look and feel of the buildings to the native plants and flowers featured in the project's three planned large, open-air garden courtyards.

Like many other places, Kailua has changed much over the years. Things are generally heading in the right direction, and there is a strong need for continued revitalization of certain areas, including the Ironwoods location.

We welcome this new development as another positive step for Kailua.

NOT INHUMANE

PEOPLE HAVE EATEN RABBITS FOR CENTURIES

I'd like to comment on J. Lyn Montague's letter (June 18) on eating rabbits. I do respect the writer's humane view against eating them, that it's terrible.

However, eating rabbits is not inhumane. Rabbit meat is tasty and nutritional. Eating them is also good for the commercial rabbit industry.

I've been a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association for more than 20 years.

I raised Californian rabbits (black nose, tail, ears and feet) in the 1980s for their ono and nutritional meat while living in Florida. I have also raised a couple of rabbits as pets — I'd never eat them.

Humans have eaten both domesticated and non-domesticated rabbits for centuries. Domesticated rabbits are a delicacy and a nutritional source of protein for many people around the world.

If used for food, domesticated animals (including rabbits) need to be killed humanely and quickly.