CULTURAL SITES

ARMY IS NOT ALLOWING FULL ACCESS AT MAKUA

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon (Letters, July 27) claims the Army is "working very hard to facilitate access to cultural sites." A week after Gen. Mixon wrote, we were denied access to an ancient heiau at Makua Military Reservation, where I sought to present ho'okupu to my ancestors and akua.

I was not counting on the Army's good will when I requested access. The American Indian Religious Freedom Act commands the Army to protect the right to practice our religion, including access to sacred sites, and a 2001 federal court order requires cultural access at Makua twice a month.

My Army escort barred me from practicing my culture and religion, claiming unexploded ordnance might lie in the path to the heiau, even though the Army declared the area safe months ago and the same person had escorted me to the heiau to present ho'okupu only a few weeks earlier.

There are only three explanations for the arbitrary decision: (1) incompetence, (2) arrogance or (3) a purposeful attempt to see if we would disobey orders, giving the Army an excuse to ban us from future accesses.

Whatever the reason, it's time for the Army to allow full access to Makua's sacred sites.

LOCAL RESIDENTS NOT CARING FOR OUR 'AINA

Many people want the Army to return Makua Valley. I am retired from the military and a 15-year resident of O'ahu and would support the return of the valley if I wasn't convinced that it would suffer the same fate that has ruined the surrounding area.

I enjoy scuba diving in the vicinity of the valley. It is a beautiful spot as long as you don't open your eyes until you are underwater. The area near the reef directly across the street from the valley is disgustingly polluted with used diapers, condoms, beer bottles, burned cars and myriad illegally dumped items.

We and our elected representatives have allowed the Wai'anae Coast to be used as a dumping ground (literally and figuratively) for way too long, and there is no relief in sight.

Why should the military turn over the valley when we can't take care of the land we already possess?

I say let them keep it until we prove we have the desire and means to clean up Wai'anae.

BEACH POLLUTION

CONGRESS MUST PROTECT AMERICA'S COASTLINES

Hawai'i's beaches are at risk from pollution. In comparison to other coastal states, Hawai'i had a low number of beach water samples that exceeded national health standards, according to a new report ("Isles' beaches cleaner than most," Aug 4).

While this is commendable, there is still work to do to quickly notify the public about polluted waters and prevent the pollution.

To that end, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Beach Protection Act, a bill that requires faster beach water-testing methods in addition to increasing funding for testing and identifying pollution sources. This bipartisan bill ensures beachgoers know promptly when the water is polluted.

In addition, Congress must continue to protect America's coastline from oil spills and slicks caused by offshore drilling.

We are disappointed that Rep. Neil Abercrombie supports offshore drilling that would threaten beaches with oil spills and urge Sens. Dan Akaka and Daniel Inouye to support the Beach Protection Act and to continue to protect America's coasts from drilling.

These steps help to protect public health by ensuring that we are promptly alerted to risky levels of pollution in addition to preventing water pollution at its source.

RAIL DEBATE

TRANSIT AUTHORITY CAN'T BE INDEPENDENT BODY

I read with interest The Advertiser's support of a transit authority as a supposed "independent body" to oversee the proposed rail system.

If what I've read is true, the members of the transit authority would be appointed by the City Council and the mayor. If the members of the transit authority are indebted to the mayor and City Council for their jobs, how is this a nonpartisan, independent body?

It is obvious why the mayor now supports the Charter amendment for a public vote on rail as long as it authorizes the creation of the transit authority. Don't be fooled by the mayor's antics.

ENERGY

OFFSHORE OIL WON'T LOWER OUR GAS PRICES

When it comes to offshore oil drilling, one has to wonder: How many Americans really believe that those oil corporations that own U.S. offshore leases are going to drill and deliver that oil to U.S. consumers at below-world-market prices? Do Americans think that U.S. offshore oil will be dedicated just for America?

Oil companies will do what they do best; extract and deliver U.S. offshore oil in the form of options to commodity traders. The traders, in turn, will sell the oil to world market oil consumers — India, China, Europe, and the U.S. These countries will purchase U.S. oil at whatever the world market price dictates.

U.S. consumers, and apparently our two presidential candidates, are fooling themselves if they think we are going to get deep discounted gas prices at the pump as a result of drilling for U.S. offshore oil.

In reality, our oil will not be dedicated solely for U.S. consumption. The world will enjoy our oil and pay up for it, just like we all will when it finally arrives at our local gas station.

MILILANI

ROADWORK IS TRYING THE PATIENCE OF DRIVERS

I don't know who decided to simultaneously close most of the access roads to Mililani at the H-2 junction, but the roadwork has been causing a mess.

Three of the four ramps are partially closed and one side of the road crossing the H-2 is closed, forcing everyone entering or leaving Mililani to wind through a snaking contraflow mess in the remaining open lanes.

Some parts of the ramps have been closed for months with little visible progress. Meanwhile, weekend traffic is gridlocked.

$80 BILLION

IRAQ'S SURPLUS SHOULD GO TOWARD COST OF WAR

There is a simple yet elegant way to deal with the Iraq war now that we know that country has an $80 billion surplus. It is called "You pay, we stay."

This puts the decision about how long we stay and at what level squarely on the shoulders of the Iraqi government and people.

AGING IN PLACE

COLLABORATION KEY IN LONG-TERM CARE PANEL

We appreciate The Advertiser's support of the Long-Term Care Commission, created by Act 224.

Seniors everywhere want to age in place — at home, in the community and in institutional settings. But to make this possible, we need to build a system to provide long-term care services at home, in the community and in institutional settings.

Legislators, the governor and aging-agency officials have cooperated in their efforts to establish the Long-Term Care Commission. We hope this model of collaboration between the executive and legislative branches can spread to other issues.

We understand that Gov. Linda Lingle would not be able to consider releasing $100,000 for the commission unless a funding and work plan is developed. This will be done, and we believe state money can be used to leverage private funds to enable the commission to conduct its work.

Legislators have consulted with the governor on commission appointees who could help design a long-term care system for Hawai'i's seniors. We expect Gov. Lingle to announce her commission appointees in a few weeks, before the Sept. 30 deadline. We believe one of the commission's most important tasks will be to generate a community consensus for its proposal.

TOURISM AUTHORITY

DIRECTOR SHOULD BE LET GO BECAUSE OF E-MAILS

I just learned of the "inappropriate" e-mails forwarded by the director of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

Someone in such an important position should be held to a higher standard. Having failed this trust, clearly he must go.

What disturbed me even more was seeing Sen. Colleen Hanabusa say that we need to consider his service to our state and not act hastily (or words to that effect).

From someone in Hanabusa's position, we need leadership. There are plenty of people who are immensely capable of filling the director's spot.

We deserve top-notch public servants, and elected leadership with the highest standards.