PROTESTERS RUINED A GREAT WAY TO TRAVEL

Auwe to all who protested or who have caused problems for this fantastic way to travel. This company took a chance on setting up another mode of transportation for us Islanders.

Do you remember when air fare was $170 one way? If Mokulele or go! airlines never set up business in Hawai'i, where would we be?

These people who protest and then call Hawai'i their home, you don't realize what you're doing. You either haven't been able to afford to travel or you're just a follower who thinks you are doing what's best for the state.

Auwe to all protesters of Hawaii Superferry.

STATE SHOULD NOT DISREGARD THE LAW

Laws were written to protect the environment from harm and destruction.

Yet these laws were intentionally violated by Hawai'i's executive branch (the Lingle administration), the legislative branch, i.e. your Senate and House representatives, respectively; and Hawaii Superferry, much the same way the Bush administration violated the American middle class — all for money.

Where was transparency, accountability and the courage to call to task the economic and financial leadership responsible? We would not be in such dire circumstances if the Lingle administration had placed Hawai'i's people over corporate profits.

Let's not kid ourselves. Like the American taxpayer, the Hawai'i taxpayer is going to pay again for court costs, attorney fees and a whole lot more.

It's time to demand both government and business in Hawai'i and Washington obey laws rather than disregard them.

It's much more cost-effective and sustainable.

BIG ISLE 2% FUND

PRESERVING SACRED LAND IS ONLY USE

Many feel the 2 percent (of property tax revenues) land fund for open spaces on the Big Island should be kept intact and used for its intended purpose, which is to preserve sacred and heavenly localities. To tap the land fund for open spaces for other purposes would be devilish in nature.

People have spoken up, and localities such as Punalu'u Beach Park and Papa'ikou Point are areas that should be purchased by this sacred fund. Keeping these areas preserved will do wonders for our future brothers and sisters, and for ecotourism.

All in all, the 2 percent land fund for open spaces on the Big Island is good for the Big Island people, who don't want to see another O'ahu or Maui here. To touch the land fund for other purposes is satanistic, and people will have to pay for their consequences. Enough said!

STATE PARKS

ADMISSION FEES WILL DAMAGE TOURISM

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is working on a plan to increase revenue. Deceptively called "Recreational Renaissance," DLNR plans to charge nonresidents admission to several state parks: Nu'uanu Pali and Ka Iwi (O'ahu); 'Iao and Makena (Maui); Kekaha Kai and 'Akaka Falls (Big Island); Koke'e/Waimea and Ha'ena (Kaua'i). It's a bad plan.

At some sites, admission fees may not offset the cost of building, maintaining and staffing facilities. Tour companies will lose revenue to fees. Tourists will resent being nickeled-and-dollared (again) and become frustrated waiting to park and pay (in Pali wind and rain?) at short viewing stops. Being ripped off, tourists might stay away — from Hawai'i.

The plan currently allows residents free admission. But residents now pay to enter Diamond Head and stand in long, hot lines to enter Hanauma Bay. This gives reason to believe residents will have to wait in line and pay to enter parks our taxes already pay for before we can enjoy our own home.

The plan will not substantially increase revenue, and it may drive tourists — our economic lifeblood — away and discourage Hawai'i residents from enjoying culturally significant, ecologically important and valued recreational lands.

WIND ENERGY

MOLOKAI RANCH POLICY SHORT-SIGHTED

As a resident of Moloka'i who supports First Wind's efforts on island to produce wind energy for O'ahu's consumption, I was happy to read about the compromise made between the state, First Wind and Castle & Cooke with regard to this matter.

In the article, the author says that First Wind "wants to build a wind farm on Moloka'i and have been working with the residents to achieve that goal." I just want the public to know that the majority of the residents of Moloka'i are on board and ready to go, and have been on board for about two years. The culprit in this matter has been, and still is, the Molokai Ranch.

We need land to finalize this deal, land which Molokai Ranch owns and will not let First Wind have access too. Molokai Ranch could have easily replaced their La'au development project with this wind energy project, and the income produced from wind energy would have met financial shortfalls that Molokai Ranch was experiencing with its hotel operations. If Molokai Ranch would have played along, wind energy on Moloka'i would have been a done deal already.

TOURISM

'SNL' SKIT, SUPERFERRY PROTESTS SHARE PARALLEL

There are many including Lt. Gov. Aiona who were appalled by the recent "Saturday Night Live" skit where The Rock cast a poor light on the tourism industry. Of all things, the setting was a resort on Kaua'i. Ironically, the Superferry protests proved that some of their "points" were spot-on accurate.

Were people really concerned about the environment, or about whales? Maybe a few. But most were worried about an influx of people coming to ruin "their" island. Who would those people be? Oh, tourists!

Tourists are not welcome on Kaua'i or Maui. That is the message being conveyed, and that is why all those people protested. And ironcially, it was a distinct minority that was against the Superferry. Most of the locals on Kaua'i and Maui wanted the Superferry. It was a few people with loud mouths who ruined it for the rest of us; a few people who riled up crowds of other ignorant people to cuss and scream at fellow kama'aina from other islands.

So now, I think the "SNL" skit is a work of art. A truly satirical piece that rings true in so many ways, whether it's good for business or not.