TRANSIT

O'AHU ROAD SYSTEM IS NEAR GRIDLOCK TODAY

Letter writer Paul Winner (May 3) must be kidding with his claim that tourists do not come here to look at an ugly elevated rail system but "want to drive our beautiful scenic and lightly traveled roads."

Perhaps he can tell me where to find such roads along the planned alignment of the elevated guideway for the transit system. Farrington in Waipahu? Kamehameha in Pearl City? Salt Lake? Dillingham? Nimitz?

If something like the narrow guideway for the modern magnetic levitation system is implemented, it will look a lot better than the elevated tollway the Stop Rail Now movement would push if it wins the referendum.

It also will offer tourists a chance to actually look out the train window at the island landscape rather than seeing only the rear end of the cars in front of them as they crawl along in near-gridlock traffic in their rental cars.

HAWAIIAN KINGDOM

GO TO THE PALACE, SHOW SOVEREIGNTY SUPPORT

Now is the time for those who believe in the validity of ea (sovereignty) to go to the palace. Show your faith and trust in the rights of Hawai'i being an independent nation.

You don't have to choose Mahealani Kahau and her organization. You only go there to support the belief you have in the rights of the nation of Hawai'i. There at the palace not even OHA, DHHL or Kau Inoa can claim to be the "one." Only the people of Hawai'i can decide that.

So go to the palace. Show support, show unity for the kingdom/nation/country or whatever it will become once we decide. Just go.

Call your friends, 'ohana, fellow believers. Go so we can show proof that ea is valid, real for the people of Hawai'i. Hele, imua, go. Eddie would go.

APPALLED AT EDITORIAL ON PALACE LOCKOUT

I was appalled at the censorious, punitive tone of your editorial regarding the Hawaiian sovereignty group lockout of 'Iolani Palace.

Once again, a group of Native Hawaiians reminded us all that they have lost too much, and that they are grief-stricken and angry about those losses.

I loved the picture of Police Chief Boisse Correa sitting on the ground talking story with Mahealani Kahau. What would you have had him do? Order out the tear gas and make arrests? Or worse?

What has happened to the editorial board of The Advertiser, which used to advocate for compassion and justice?

Are you old enough to remember Kent State? Or the American Indian Movement?

HB 1832

LEGISLATORS SHOULD HAVE PASSED SIGN BILL

The Advertiser had an excellent editorial on April 29 supporting HB 1832, which would regulate the size of signs in residential communities, but the Legislature declined to enact the bill, reversing course at the last minute.

Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser was quoted as saying that the bill was "far too restrictive" and would "have impact on Huli Huli Chicken (fundraising) campaigns (and) 'Go Warriors' signs."

This bill was carefully crafted to allow people to display signs on their homes while limiting the size of signs to protect against visual clutter. The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed such regulation so long as all the regulations do not discriminate based on the message being conveyed. In other words, expressions of support for the Warriors must be governed by the same rules governing expressions of support for a candidate or a constitutional amendment.

Commercial activity is generally prohibited in residential areas, so if Huli Huli Chicken were being regularly sold from a person's house, that would raise other legal issues. Signage to support causes or noncommercial groups would be permitted by HB 1832, so long as they remain within the reasonable size limits in the bill.

The Advertiser's editorial said that: "The bill strikes a smart balance by allowing freedom of expression with sensible limits on the size of the placards." That is certainly true, and the last-minute recommittal of this important bill by our legislators seems to have been based either on a misunderstanding of the governing law or on a failure to appreciate the importance of protecting the unique beauty of our wonderful islands.

TERRORIST'S BOAST

IS OSAMA SUCCEEDING AT BANKRUPTING U.S.?

As I recall, one of Osama bin Laden's boasts was that he would bankrupt America.

We still cannot find him, but every day it is looking more like he will soon be able to say "mission accomplished."

CLICK IT OR TICKET

HPD MUST TARGET OTHER BAD DRIVING BEHAVIOR

I noticed that the Click It or Ticket campaign is in full gear again with ads on TV claiming it saves lives.

The officer in the ad proclaims "We're doing everything we can to prevent these avoidable deaths." It is a worthy cause, for sure.

However, if our fine men and women of law enforcement truly wish to do "everything to prevent deaths," why not ticket people who don't use turn signals on the highway and drivers with "unclicked" passengers in the back of pickup trucks. Both pose an even greater risk of accidents and death.

A little bit more discretion and consistency of thought toward this issue by the public and police would serve us all well.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

PARENT IS ENRAGED BY DISPARITY IN FUNDING

As a parent of a charter school student, I am enraged at the disparity in funding compared with mainstream Department of Education schools.

My tax dollars go into the pot the same as everyone else. The negative repercussion this has on my child's education is unacceptable.

Legislators blame the governor, when they have the ability to change dollar amounts. Stop pointing fingers.

I don't care who wrote what. All that ultimately matters is equality. We teach our children what is fair and right. Then the very people children are supposed to look up to, our so-called leaders, shun them and make excuses for their own lack of gumption.

Who are you to say that my son's education doesn't deserve the same funding? Put yourselves in our place; how would you feel if you were told your child isn't worth it?

We will remember your actions when we have our ballots in our hands. We are keeping score.

CHARACTER

REV. WRIGHT ISSUE NOT A CAMPAIGN DISTRACTION

This paper states that the issue of Sen. Barack Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a distraction. It is not!

Obama has based his candidacy on transcending race and possessing good judgment. Obama spent 20 years as a member of a church led by a pastor who is clearly racist and un-American to his very core.

Obama is not a well-known entity, and so the public looks at his character and personal history. Issues come and go, but character gives us insight into how a president may react to the unforeseen.

Sen. Obama was satisfied to sit in a church for 20 years where the "reverend" preached that America invented and set AIDS upon black Americans; that America was the drug pusher in black American neighborhoods; that black brains learn differently than "European" brains. Sen. Obama's "good judgment" meant his daughters were taught religion and morality in this racist, un-American atmosphere.

Until Obama explains why he allowed a racist, un-American Rev. Wright to teach and pray with his own daughters, this issue is not a "mere distraction" but relevant to his claim of transcending race and of good judgment.

CHINATOWN

RUBBISH ON SIDEWALKS, GRAFFITI ARE AN EYESORE

While driving through Downtown Honolulu over the weekend, passing the two lions guarding the entrance to Chinatown, from the River Street bridge, down King Street, all the way to Bethel Street, I thought I was driving through a Third World country.

Shops lining both sides of King Street had broken windows, there were boarded-up shops, graffiti, rubbish in doorways and on the sidewalks.

Where is the Downtown Neighborhood Board? Is each vendor or shop owner responsible in keeping our city clean?

Something should be done to keep the city's appearance beautiful. I cringe to have our visitors leave and criticize the appearance of our city.

Please, get someone to clean up this eyesore.