WAIKIKI

REPLENISH THE BEACH, BUT NOT WITH GROINS

The Sheraton Waikiki proposal to build new T-shaped groins to capture sand at Gray's Beach should not become an issue about offshore surfing areas. It's about natural ocean dynamics.

We allowed seawalls, which changed everything. We did that so we could allow hotels right on the ocean rather than inland so natural erosion and rebuilding could occur.

Let the hotels pay for replenishing sand if they wish but please don't get sucked into the groins-are-good-for-us argument. They are not. Some other Waikiki Beach area will be changed by groins.

Don't be sucked in by some UH geologist saying this won't affect surfing areas. Probably it won't. But that's not the issue. Focus on the beach issue.

INVASIVE SPECIES

NO CHRISTMAS TREES FOR MAUI AND KAUA'I?

There seems to be a good smattering of yellow jackets, spiders and other insects who have made the trip from the Pacific Northwest to O'ahu via the Christmas tree shipments. Realistically, there is a chance that some of these pests will make it to the Neighbor Islands.

Of course, we all know that Maui and Kaua'i residents don't want O'ahu's invasive species. I'm sure that applies to pests from the Pacific Northwest as well. Therefore, it only makes sense that imported Christmas trees be banned on Maui and Kaua'i.

To borrow a line from the "Seinfeld" series: "No Christmas trees for you!"

VISION TESTS

TO DRIVE WELL, 20/20 EYESIGHT IS JUST A START

Some problems with the driver's license vision test were discussed in two recent letters (Loren Lee, Nov. 9; Harold Loomis, Nov. 19).

I agree that there are problems, but the problems are much more fundamental. The vision test measures the central vision acuity — that is, the fineness with which one can distinguish an object in the central vision, and is expressed by numbers like 20/20, 20/30, etc. It does not measure peripheral vision, which is also very important for safe driving.

The measurement of central vision acuity is very subjective, depending on the person's current physical state (just came out of the bright sun; is very tired or not feeling well) or other environmental conditions.

Other factors that are important for safe driving are reaction response time, alertness, and a sense of security and confidence in the role of driver. Possessing 20/40 or better vision is not a sufficient condition for being a safe driver. A mature person with 20/50 vision, good peripheral vision, alert and comfortable with the task, would certainly be a lot safer than someone blind in one eye and 20/20 tunnel vision in the other, but who would pass the test! But that's the law.

KAPI'OLANI PARK

NON-CLUB VENDORS NEED EQUAL ACCESS

The city has granted one artist and handcrafter's alliance an exclusive monopoly for the use of Kapi'olani Park. The members of this alliance can promote (read sell) their arts and crafts in a prime (a gross understatement) location.

The "board" of this alliance has arbitrarily concocted and unilaterally adopted membership requirements that are intended to let them exclude anyone they choose for whatever reason. They do this without any city oversight or opportunity for appeal for the excluded person. Because of their discriminatory policies, this alliance's "members" protect themselves from competition.

I do not support forcing these clubs to accept anyone they don't want as a member. The problem is they have the exclusive venues for such use of Kapi'olani Park.

Non-club members who want to display their art and crafts must be given equal access to the park on the same days.

THE N-WORD

IN DOG'S CASE, SLUR IS NOT FORGIVEN, FORGOTTEN

Dog Chapman has not only used the n-word more than six times in less than a minute but continues to play on the intelligence of black people. We are outraged at the statements Dog made on national television such as, blacks have already forgiven him. Is he speaking for blacks now? We have not forgiven or forgotten. The n-word was used as a brotherly thing among friends — this statement holds no truth, and never from a white person to a black person has this ever been acceptable.

In the '60s and '70s our struggle was intense. Blacks were fighting for black power; therefore, 30 years ago Dog Chapman wouldn't have used the n-word loosely in prison. We still had a lot of resentment and fury from the past. Today we are still trying to recover from the past. Dog Chapman's actions demonstrate racist behavior. He should stop going on national television with his pathetic act of sympathy and get things right in Hawai'i.

ROAD SAFETY

FULL-TIME POTHOLE CREWS NEEDED NOW

It seemed to me that for a while major potholes were all taken care of, but lately they popped up all over the place. They are deep and sometimes impossible to see until it's too late. These craters can and will be deadly to any motorcyclist who fails to see one coming.

What is so hard about having a crew do nothing but patch potholes? Can you imagine if every time a car hit a pothole it would cause a very serious, if not deadly, crash? It would be a miracle if a motorcyclist would survive a direct hit with one of these holes.

Let's not wait for one senseless injury or death from something so avoidable.

I suggest white paint be used around the perimeter of these craters so they would be very visible, at least, until they can be properly repaired. We need full-time pothole crews on O'ahu now!

FOOTBALL

BOISE STATE FAN HAS KUDOS FOR ALOHA STATE

I don't have to tell anyone that we heard horrible things about UH fans. We were told not to wear BSU colors, and to be careful. What we experienced before, during and after the game could not be farther from the truth. The UH fans were wonderful to us, respectful and very gracious.

They invited us to their tailgates, and could not have been better to us. I have loved my time here in Hawai'i, and I will be rooting for UH to beat Washington, go BCS and win their bowl game. Thanks for a wonderful time.

BCS BOUND? FANS SHOULD PLAN TO GO, TOO

I am a Boise State fan and graduate who lived in paradise for many years. I bring my husband to Hawai'i for the game every other year so I can visit my best friend for a week at the same time. The Warriors came to this showdown on the warpath and well-prepared to stop BSU's running game. And, the Broncos were out-"fanned" — the energy from the Hawai'i support could have powered a battleship for four hours.

Congratulations, Warriors and Hawai'i fans! Terrific game, and well won! Now we have two great WAC teams.

You were all chanting "BCS, BCS." But remember, when that BCS time comes, be it Christmas or New Year's, you must be there to support your team in whatever distant (Mainland!) stadium the BCS offers. The Sugar Bowl representative who was in Boise last week said there must be a guaranteed fan base of 17,500 fans from each team to come to the game. There were 20,000 Boise fans who went to the Fiesta Bowl — Oklahoma had twice that. That is the support that your team will need to go to and win a BCS bowl. I saw that support and energy Friday night. Don't let your Warriors down when it comes time to travel.