ENFORCEMENT WILL CONTINUE AS NEEDED

Since Dec. 2, Honolulu police officers have issued 43 warnings and 25 citations for park closure violations and illegal camping at Kapiolani Park. In many cases, the citations were issued after individuals had been given earlier warnings.

For a few individuals to say that the police are stepping up enforcement because of a particular event or person is without basis. We will continue to enforce the park laws in response to the community's needs and the need for park staff to maintain and clean the park.

LOUIS M. KEALOHA | Chief of police

RED CROSS SHELTERS

MAHALO FOR HELP IN TIME OF EMERGENCY

I wanted to send out a special thanks to Mr. Tony Cato, Oahu disaster coordinator with the Red Cross, for his excellent job on the opening and staffing of the Red Cross shelters on the North Shore and Waianae during our recent emergency.

I visited both shelters on the North Shore and was very impressed with the staffing, organization and coverage of the shelters. They had volunteer staff there 24/7 for the duration of the high-wave warning. All of these volunteers were from different parts of the island but willing to come out and help us on the North Shore.

Also of special note during this time was the Hawaiian Humane Society. They provided round-the-clock volunteers at all of the shelters to make sure our pets were safe and well taken care of in this time of need. At this time of year, we need to remember to thank all those people who give of themselves tirelessly to give us a safe place to land during emergencies. Mahalo!

JAN KRIBELL | Shelter chair, North Shore Disaster Preparedness Committee

RAIL TRANSIT

POLL RESULTS SHOW PUBLIC SUPPORT ROSE

We find it interesting that The Advertiser's story about a scientific poll on rail authorized by the city ("Poll, TV deals avoid scrutiny," Dec. 11) neglected to include the most obvious thing: the poll results.

When Advertiser reporter Sean Hao requested information on the city's recent poll, he was also provided the results of the scientific survey that found:

• 60 percent of those polled supported the development of a 20-mile elevated rail transit line connecting West Oahu with Downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana Center.

• 69 percent also felt that rail transit was a "good investment" in the future of Honolulu.

• 77 percent of Oahu feels the island has a "serious" traffic problem. And even among those opposing the rail project, 71 percent agrees that Oahu has serious traffic problems.

The scientific survey conducted by respected polling firm QMark Research & Polling interviewed 900 Oahu residents. One hundred people in each of the nine City Council districts were interviewed to ensure that all regions of the island were surveyed.

Not only did the poll show that public support for rail went up since the transit vote, but it provides the city insight on how to improve its community outreach on what the public wants to learn about the project, including costs and how the train service would operate.

KIRK CALDWELL | Managing director, City and County of Honolulu

FIREWORKS

ILLEGAL AERIALS SEEM TO BE OUT OF CONTROL

Year after year the fireworks seem to start earlier; they now start in the early part of December. The amount of illegal aerial fireworks shows the same trend as well. The sounds are so intense they sound like bombs, almost as if they're exploding next door.

If the state has such a hard time controlling fireworks, a good that is imported, is there really any chance for Hawaii to fight against drugs?

ALLAN HIGA | Mililani

ABERCROMBIE

SO BEGINS CIRCUS MAXIMUS IN HAWAI'I

The surprise resignation of Rep. Abercrombie from Congress signals the start of Circus Maximus in our home state. With a war chest flush with money, a campaign off to a weak start and a very popular Democratic opponent who has the support of our senior U.S. senator, the representative required a bold move to garnish support and increase public recognition. Yes, this is a major gamble, and he could be unemployed next year if he is not lucky.

This move, however, puts our mayor between a rock and a hard place. If he too resigns, we would have two elected political leaders who have given up their elected responsibilities for personal glory and would spend the remainder of the campaign session trashing each other.

On the flip side, it seems when Gov. Palin stepped down from her office, the Democratic Party had a field day by quickly branding her as a "quitter seeking personal gain." Not sure if we will have the same verbiage applied here.

RICHARD M. SMYLIE | Hawaii Kai

PARTY LEADERS NEED TO EXPLAIN STRATEGY

As his term nears expiration, Congressman Neil Abercrombie has clearly demonstrated his desperate need to find himself another spot at the public trough.

No matter that the Democratic vote margins, even in the House, are razor thin with important votes still to come. No matter that the state is out of money and can't pay the teachers. Out of his own selfish desires he doesn't care that we may have to pay $2 million for a special election. Do we really need somebody like that as the next governor?

And, of course, if we do not have an election because we cannot afford it then the state, in these tough economic times, is deprived of one of its two U.S. House votes. A 50 percent decrease from Hawaii's point of view. What a mess. You would think that the Hawaii Democratic Party would have weighed in on this decision or at least gone out of its way to explain the need to do this.

Will the state party leaders please stand up and explain the strategy behind this decision and tell us why this is really the appropriate plan of action?

PAUL TYKSINSKI | Kailua