No need for expensive Waikiki bridge project

From my Waikiki condominium, I observed the daily movement of the American Dental Association conventioners across the Ala Wai bridge leading to and from the Hawaii Convention Center to Waikiki. From what I saw, it was obvious that there is no need for the state-and-city planned $5-million bridge expansion.

Very few of the 34,000 conventioneers used the bridge to walk to their Waikiki hotels. To the relief of all concerned, there was no traffic gridlock. Buses ran on time and it was an all-round transportation success in that regard.

The state's admirable purpose for widening the bridge is to increase pedestrian safety which, if the dental convention is any indication, was no worse than an average day of foot traffic. Yet there will be major disruption to traffic moving into and out of Waikiki via Kalakaua when bridge-widening construction begins in late January 2000.

Why must we must endure this construction for nearly one year, including digging up streets for replacement of sewer and water mains? What a way to celebrate the new millennium. Save taxpayer money and kill the pedestrian bridge widening project.

Jim Kyle
Via the Internet

Golf fees subsidize other city programs

I commend City Council Budget Chairwoman Rene Mansho for introducing the idea of making the city's fees for recreational programs more equitable. But I sent her a memo asking why, since the city's golf courses are already generating about $6 million revenues surplus to the golf program, she still wants to raise golf fees.

I don't object to the rise in fees, but merely question why the courses are so poorly maintained. For example, I refuse to play at the Makalena and Kahuku courses because of their poor condition.

Since other Council members object to having Hanauma Bay serve as a "cash cow" for other recreational programs, why do they want the golf courses to support other free parks and beaches?

I'd like a better understanding of exactly how much money is being spent for the city's various recreational programs, and why the golf courses are being singled out to support other programs.

Vernon Wong
Waipahu

Fisheries lab has been deficient

I'm glad the shark finning issue has finally reached Congress.

The reason for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's long delay in coming up with a pelagic shark management plan is the Honolulu lab of the National Marine Fisheries Service. That federal research agency has failed to provide WESPAC the scientific data it needs.

It will be interesting to see how Congress reacts to the incompetence of NMFS bureaucrats.

Henry Okamoto
Retired Fisherman/
Fishery biologist

Quotables "Wat, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, you going leave me now? The Rainbows started winning. Cayetano not pau. To add to the stress, they killed the Sun Press. What now, lau lau?" Frank DeLima HAWAII COMEDIAN Words to the reworked parody of "Lucille" written by DeLima and writing partner Patrick Downes, in tribute to the announced shutdown of the newspaper "It's a shame he doesn't look good in a bikini; otherwise he'd probably take over my spot." Jason Brooks "BAYWATCH HAWAII" ACTOR On the acting debut of University of Hawaii basketball coach Riley Wallace

Total gun ban is needed in Hawaii

After the terrible Xerox shootings, your Nov. 3 editorial response was "Our view: The incident should prompt employers to review their violence-prevention strategies." Give me a break!

That's the kind of wimpy thinking that brought our country to where it is today -- drowning in bullets and blood. Come on! We don't need our companies to review their workplace guidelines; we need to make Hawaii gun free. How many more deaths will it take to make us see that?

Jim Smart
Hawaii Kai
Via the Internet

It's too easy to blame gun manufacturers

This is an issue of responsibility. If a drunk driver were to kill your family, would you sue Ford Motor Co. or the Jack Daniels distillery? Then why are some trying to sue the gun manufacturers?

I've had guns all my life and have taught my kids about gun safety and responsibility. I've acted responsibly and never had a problem. Like anything else, if you own a gun, you are responsible for it -- not the gun manufacturers.

Some people in American society are so sue-happy and lazy that they blame everyone else for their own irresponsibility.

Incidentally, I also lost a family member (on the mainland) to gun violence, so I am familiar with the devastation it can wreak. But Smith & Wesson and Colt did not kill my loved one. Someone from West Virginia did.

T.J. Johnston
Kapolei
Via the Internet

Secular society is root of violence problem

Neither side in the debate over gun-control has presented satisfying arguments.

Some insist that the Second Amendment no longer applies to the right of individual citizens to bear arms, because modern police and military infrastructures make individual firearms ownership unnecessary. But the police wouldn't have been able to prevent the tragedy at Xerox.

Others maintain that private citizens carrying their own firearms can prevent crime. Yet there are a lot of folks, myself included, who probably shouldn't be allowed to carry a concealed firearm.

The root of the problem lies in our culture and society that has become almost exclusively secular. Human freedom and security comes from God's law, not legislation.

Claude Kutaka
Kaneohe
Via the Internet

Chevron should stop persecuting Young

Why is Chevron trying so hard to shut down Frank Young and K&Y Chevron? Most akamai marketing managers would get behind their best and brightest, but not so with Chevron.

My father took his car to Frank's father in the 1950s and I take my car to Frank in the '90s. Why? Not because he sells Chevron gas but because he is an honest businessman with great mechanics.

Hey, Chevron, are you really willing to gamble that we will continue to buy your gas when K&Y is gone? Perhaps it is time to burn our Chevron gas cards. How about it , Hawaii?

Karen Wright
Via the Internet

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