PROBLEM IS WITH HORRIBLE LEGISLATION

There is no problem with the Superferry; there is a problem with Chapter 343, which has proven to be a disastrous piece of legislation. The environmentalists are not the champions of the law they are portraying themselves to be (with a lot of help from the media); they are merely anti-progress, anti-ferry litigants. We can tell by their silence about Matson, Young Brothers and other businesses that ply our waters.

Our elected leaders are now tripping over themselves to defend Chapter 343, assuring us that we can have it both ways. Yet we find ourselves with Chapter 343 but no Superferry.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

OBAMA POLICY AN ATTACK ON UNBORN

For those who think family members will now have a chance of healing with embryonic stem cells, there is good news. Nonembryonic cells have already been successful in treating multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cirrhosis of the liver, cerebral palsy, heart disease, meniscus repair, windpipe reconstruction and many more.

There are now more than 70 conditions that have been treated with adult stem cells or umbilical-cord blood cells including patients in Hawai'i (Advertiser, June 2, 2008). Scientists have now created embryo-like stem cells in the lab without killing human embryos.

President Obama has eliminated restrictions on using our taxes to fund embryonic stem cell research, or ESCR, and has elevated politics over science. Given the successes of ethically derived stem cells, why would there be such a push for federal tax funds? If ESCR had such wonderful prospects, why wouldn't private funds from pharmaceuticals be flowing into it? There are over 2,000 FDA-approved clinical trials under way with adult stem cell tissues.

ESCR is funded by lies and represents another attack on the humanity of the unborn — a necessity to justify "abortion rights."

CONDO BOOKINGS

TOURISM SLUMP WORSE THAN STATED

I'm sure that many, many individuals and companies who have condo or hotel rental businesses were shocked in disbelief with the comments by David Uchiyama, chief of marketing for the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, (Advertiser, March 19) predicting a 3 percent drop in visitor arrivals for 2009. When is the real word going to get out?

We have four condos on the ocean in Po'ipu. In the past decade, our occupancy rates hovered around 90 percent, and we consistently raised rents annually. This year, our summer 2009 bookings, normally sold out completely by now, are hovering at 12 percent. We have dropped our rates two times in the past four months. While we were sold out for the Dec. 15- March 3 high season (almost all booked prior to the economic fallout), the future looks black. Our payments of general excise taxes and hotel taxes are going to be plummeting.

I hope our state is ready for some very rough times.

CIVIL UNIONS

LOOK AT THE HUMAN BEINGS BEHIND ISSUE

In 1998, 70 percent of Hawai'i voters decided for everyone that marriage is between a man and a woman. They continue to hold on to these archaic beliefs and demand proof that times have changed yet refuse to acknowledge it. These people speak without listening and preach without knowing.

It seems citizens against this bill forget that this issue focuses on actual human beings. Can they look into the faces of the people this affects and tell them they are deciding who they can and cannot be legally bound to?

Take your heads from behind your holy books and look at actual people for a change.

NATATORIUM

FILL IN POOL, MAKE MULTIPURPOSE SITE

I suggest filling in the swimming pool at the Natatorium and using it as a multipurpose venue.

First, it would be a perfect site for two beach volleyball courts. Move the courts from the current cramped end of Waikiki to the Natatorium, where they would have both parking and a spectator-friendly seating area.

Second, also move the movies on the beach down for similar reasons: seating, parking, ocean views, quiet (less traffic noise), and ample seating.

Needless to say, such a venue could also be used by tourists and locals alike to watch Friday night fireworks, and if done correctly could also be a revenue generator as a rental space for outdoor theater and hula performances, evening concerts, surf contests, and outrigger canoe regattas. Can you imagine how nice sunset, Hawaiian music and hula would be with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean? I think Duke would approve.

BED & BREAKFASTS

STATEWIDE RULES CAN PRESERVE AMENITY

I have been following the pros and cons of bed and breakfast operations in the editorial section for months. My husband and I were hosts for 13 years in Kailua. We had very strict city & county rules to follow. There were random check-ups to determine if we were abiding by them.

B&Bs originated in Europe, and the homes where you stayed were always owned by a host(s). Your breakfast was prepared and served by them. You were given literature and helpful hints on sights to see, places to eat and other information you requested. It was so pleasant to have them sit down with us, answer questions and tell us about themselves.

I hope that statewide rules will remain in effect. People have a choice — B&B or hotel.

ANTI-SMOKING EFFORT

BILL WOULD REVERSE SUCCESS WITH TEENS

Citizens must act now to prevent the Legislature from reversing years of successful anti-smoking efforts that have dramatically reduced teenage smoking in Hawai'i.

The American Lung Association in Hawai'i strongly opposes any legislation, such as HB 1731 now before the Senate, that could reverse successful anti-smoking programs. The bill seeks to divert monies from the Hawai'i Tobacco Settlement Special Fund to balance the state's budget.

The fund has supported programs to educate Hawai'i's children about the dangers of smoking and to help teens quit their addiction to tobacco. Since those programs have been in place, the Hawai'i teen smoking rate has dropped from 24.5 percent in 2000 to 9.7 percent in 2007. Adult smoking rates also have fallen markedly.

Diverting monies to the state's general fund would significantly harm programs that have reduced teen smoking here by 60 percent. Rates increased in several states after funding for anti-smoking programs were cut. We can't let that happen in Hawai'i!

Call your legislators, especially those on the Senate Health Committee, and tell them not to raid the Tobacco Settlement Special Fund. We can't let them balance the budget by endangering our children's health.