Larry Johnson's strategy is democracy, not bribery
I was surprised by the views of the Sierra Club's Hawaii Chapter, described in the front-page Nov. 8 article about Bank of Hawaii chairman Larry Johnson. The Sierra Club seems to believe that giving support to candidates who support our views constitutes bribery.Does that mean if we give donations to candidates who support the environment, we are offering a bribe? Is it OK to make donations to candidates who stand for honesty and integrity?
We all support the candidates and organizations that promote our interests and priorities. This is not called bribery. It is called democracy.
The package of the Economic Revitalization Task Force to help our stagnant economy is a solid plan (not a perfect plan) that will move Hawaii toward growth and vitality. It is good for our families, our environment and our businesses.
Johnson is demonstrating leadership and courage to step forward for Hawaii. The Sierra Club is being silly.
Rob Welsh
Task force is trying to turn economy around
During the past months, the Economic Revitalization Task Force has worked and documented a number of initiatives critical to the future of Hawaii. From written reports to public statements, the Legislature and state administration are now fully aware of what the shareholders -- the residents of Hawaii -- want in order to breathe life into our economy.Our elected officials now have the opportunity to take these initiatives and put them into policies and laws for Hawaii. Let's hope they will make the hard decisions to turn our economy around.
If not, it'll be back to business as usual. And believe me, today's and tomorrow's shareholders don't want business as usual.
Martin D. Schiller
Plan would commercialize Waikiki Natatorium
What a shock to read the Star-Bulletin's Oct. 15 editorial, "Council should stand firm on Natatorium."No! Restore only the front of the Natatorium to honor the dead and living of World War I.
How can the Star-Bulletin support snack and gift shops with the subsequent litter to our lovely San Souci/Kaimana Beach area? Certainly, this is commercialism at its very worst.
Do you intend to recommend parking fees to earn more money? If so, where are the young and old locals who frequent Sans Souci Beach going to park?
Furthermore, civil engineers claim 4-10 changes of water, with four the usual number -- not 10!
Jane H. Bills
Hawaii is doing its part to cut greenhouse gases
President Clinton and many other leaders around the world are calling for major reductions in the use of fossil fuels to combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gases.Many argue President Clinton's proposed phased effort is not strong enough or quick enough to fight the worldwide problem of carbon dioxide emissions and other heat-trapping gases.
There is no argument, however, about the need to use alternative energy sources to generate electricity. Alternative energy sources include solar, wind, hydro and, of course, geothermal.
The president has proposed $5 billion in tax breaks to encourage U.S. industry to develop technologies which will reduce America's reliance on fossil fuels. The Big Island already has geothermal and, for more than four years, it has been supplying the island with about 25 percent of its electricity.
Maybe Hawaii Electric Light Co. and Puna Geothermal Venture should apply for some of that $5 billion in tax breaks.
George Martin
Hilo, Hawaii
The Iwo Jima memorial is under siege by Air Force
The Iwo Jima Memorial is one of the most recognized monuments in the world. It draws millions of visitors each year, and its grounds are the site of frequent military ceremonies. It is a shrine to all who served as Marines.This hallowed ground is being threatened by a planned intrusion by an unlikely source. The Air Force Memorial Foundation plans to build a monument only 432 feet from the Iwo Jima statue.
The design of the monument, although surrealistically artistic, is grossly inappropriate. Any monument authorized to be located in this nationally revered location must be consistent in all aspects with the character, symbolism and meaning of the monuments of Arlington.
What bothers me most is the totalitarian attitude expressed by the executive director of the Air Force Memorial Foundation in his statement, "So technically, the U.S. Marine Corps really has no direct say in who or what occupies adjacent Park Service land."
The commandant of the Marine Corps has stated that if the Air Force wants a monument it should have one -- but put it somewhere else. Every Marine who ever served agrees.
A bill has been introduced in the House and Senate to deny any encroachment on the grounds of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
I hope that our congressional delegation will speak out to preserve the dignity of this memorial statue of American fighting men, who met the enemy face-to-face and won -- not only on Iwo Jima but around the world.
Col. Kenneth S. Foley
USMC (Ret.)
Hawaii elects candidates based on their ethnicity
Wouldn't it be nice if we could elect people because of their qualifications instead of their race? I refer to the contest for lieutenant governor.In this contest, some people feel that the Republican candidate for l.g. should be of another ethnicity than gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle. Thus Kioni Dudley, who appears to be Caucasian (he is part native American), is to be ignored as Lingle's running mate because of his race.
Dudley has a distinguished career in teaching and politics. He is a nice fellow, too, who deserves Lingle's consideration.
Maybe Hawaii isn't ready to start electing people for rational reasons, or at least on a color-neutral basis.
Voting for Dudley would send a message that we are ready to improve.
Mark Terry
Somebody let Waikiki lot turn into an ugly dump
On most mornings I walk Diamond Head along the Ala Wai, turn right on Kaiulani Avenue, left onto Tusitala, then right again onto Kapili and left onto Cleghorn. It is a quiet area and it's about all that is left of the jungle.There was a vacant lot across from the Venture Isle apartments. There were two or three flocks of not-so-common birds in addition to doves and sparrows. The area needed watering but the old trees survived and provided habitat for the birds. The grasses provided seed.
I think this is an area where old houses were bulldozed to make way for modern highrises, which didn't happen. Highrises would have been better than what is there now!
Sewer pipe, heavy equipment, piles of dirt. The big trees are still there but they are looking sicker by the day. Most of the birds are gone. It is an ugly dump!
With all the emphasis on the importance of Waikiki as a tourist attraction and source of income, why has this been allowed? I'm sure there are people with excuses galore for letting a meadow turn into an eyesore but it should not have been allowed to happen.
Janet Callender
(Via the Internet)
Now how about a funny contest for state motto?
Your recent design contest for a quarter that features Hawaii's symbols and images of beauty and strength was very informative to this former Honolulu resident.The Washington Post's Sunday Style section has a long-running humor column, The Style Invitational. A recent competition asked readers to create state mottos for the back of the new quarters.
One of the honorable mention mottos for Hawaii was, "No, We Wouldn't Like a Nice Hawaiian Punch, So Shut Your Poi Hole."
Additional suggestions (mine) for an appropriate motto included "By The Time This Carries Our Motto, A Quarter Buys Bupkus" and "Happily Accepting Interstate Highway Tax Dollars." Perhaps your readers can devise their own mottos to accompany the highly attractive final design.
Sue Lin Chong
Washington, D.C.
(Via the Internet)
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