SUPERDELEGATES

CLINTON WRONG CHOICE FOR NOVEMBER RACE

If the results of Hawai'i's Democratic caucuses were not enough to compel our superdelegates to support Sen. Barack Obama, here are a few more questions for them to consider prior to making their choice:

Will Sen. Hillary Clinton's attempts to paint herself as capable enough to answer a national security crisis (the "3 a.m. phone call") come back to haunt her in a general election against a decorated war veteran with much more experience than her?

Will her call for a mandate for universal healthcare prevent her from being able to answer charges of socialized medicine that are sure to come from Republicans?

Will her not-so-subtle injection of race into the Democratic nominating process alienate African-American voters who will prove crucial in the race for president in southern states as well as in congressional races nationwide?

We've seen how George W. Bush's "ends-justify-the-means" political campaigning in 2000 and 2004 has translated into his divisive governing style over the past eight years.

I'm hoping that our superdelegates will look past party loyalties and recognize that what Hillary Clinton has to offer does not represent Democrats' best chance in a general election and it most certainly is not a recipe for change.

MOLOKA'I

BHUTAN OFFERS EXAMPLE FOR ISLAND OF MOLOKA'I

Bhutan, the country that measures its Gross National Happiness, has a vibrant native culture and pristine natural environment. The government keeps it that way by restricting tourism to the country. Individuals cannot visit on their own. Only small tours, led by native guides, are allowed. There are tours for hiking, bird-watching, temples, art and more.

Could this be a model for Moloka'i? If we preserve the natural environment, people will want to visit because it is unique and different. They could visit on day trips, or take guided tours where they would camp on the land or perhaps be hosted in people's homes.

They could take working vacations where they assist in the taro lo'i or the fish ponds. More events like the 'ukulele camp could be established, perhaps a storytelling camp featuring the kupuna of the island, or a Hawaiian healing camp with lomilomi massage and la'au lapa'au or herbal medicine.

People fly halfway around the world and pay thousands of dollars to visit Bhutan. We can offer them an equally rich experience closer to home that will benefit our people and our environment.

GIVE MOLOKAI RANCH PROPERTY TO OHA

I have the perfect solution to the Moloka'i mess.

OHA wants $200 million of property. The Moloka'i property is worth $200 million. Give OHA that property rather than the ones previously agreed to. The government can purchase the property by use of eminent domain, if necessary. OHA can then decide what to do with the property.

Activists such as Walter Ritte are waiting for some Santa Claus who will buy the property as an investment and then leave it as is. Any investor who did that would be an economic idiot.

Both the activists and newspaper columnists make the current owners out to be the bad guys for doing what any sensible businessman would do — if a business consistently loses money, you close it.

OHA has ethnic and cultural reasons to acquire this property. Give them the property and then they can best decide how to help their fellow Hawaiians.

RAIL

CITY BURDENING ITSELF WITH A BOONDOGGLE?

If the proposed rapid transit system is such a great deal for all of us here in Honolulu, then it should also be a wonderful opportunity for private enterprise.

Why not invite any private entity with the financial wherewithal to offer proposals to build and operate the entire system on a for-profit basis? At the end of, say, 25 years, the system could then be sold to the city at a pre-determined price.

I am willing to wager that not one taker will surface to provide a proposal for this venture. Additionally should some foolish investor gamble on a project of this magnitude, the investor would demand a minimum ridership and a price per ticket that would be exorbitantly out of reach for the general public.

Test the theory, if it isn't good enough for the private sector, why should we burden ourselves with this boondoggle?

SOMETIMES POLITICIANS ARE JUST PLAIN WRONG

I'm disturbed by the mayor's dumping on Panos Prevedouros and his traffic study.

The mayor really seems to think he has the majority of the island backing his train.

The only real way to find out would be to let the voters have a referendum.

Panos comes up with realistic ideas with far greater impact toward actually alleviating traffic.

Those of us who travel the roads as part of our work and "economic development" and can't substitute the train for such pursuits don't want to see us throw billions of dollars away for a 3 percent improvement in traffic.

It's just dumb, and sometimes politicians are wrong.

EGG THROWING

PARENTS MUST TEACH KIDS TO DO RIGHT THING

I agree with Mr. Michael Nomura's April 1 letter. He stated that the Saint Louis students did not apologize in person, but through a written statement.

Growing up in the '50s and '60s, if I did anything to disrespect someone or someone's property, my parents would have marched me down to the scene of the crime and made me apologize in person.

Not only that, but I would have had to offer my services in retribution for what I did.

This is what molded my moral conduct as I was growing up, and it worked.

Where were these kids' parents? And, what are they trying to instill in their children?

If these were my kids, they would have been at Mr. Jervis' house to apologize and wash his car or mow his lawn.

Kids will always be kids and make wrong choices. That is part of growing up. Parents, take ownership of your children's actions now. Hold them responsible, and teach them about doing the right thing.