Vigilant citizens can help Lingle succeed

I was one of the Democrats who worked for Linda Lingle's election as governor because I believe she was the best possible choice. I hope that every Hawaii resident -- regardless of ideology or party affiliation -- will now support her in trying to bring about the change she has promised. The election is over; she is now the governor; and we're all in this together.

I hope that everyone also will watch closely the goings on in our government so that those in Lingle's administration won't be unduly tempted to slip into the pitfalls that brought about the end of the Democratic Party's hold on power. Remember, the change to Democratic control 40 years ago started out as such a good thing.

We should all be watchdogs. If you see something bad in our state government, let the new governor know about it ... right away. If you have an idea that can improve our lot, pass it on to the governor.

And don't concern yourselves overly much about whether or not our governor supports the sometimes questionable decisions and rhetoric of our Republican President. Our governor doesn't work for George Bush; she works for us.

Things can be better and, if we are all vigilant and involved, they will be.

Keith Haugen

Wall of secrecy has come crashing down

It is not too hard to imagine that the inauguration of Hawaii's first female -- and first elected Republican governor in 40 years -- is akin to the taking down of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall was made of brick and mortar; the wall taken down on Monday by Gov. Linda Lingle was made of a veil of secrecy about the state budget and other government processes.

A new open state government will allow every taxpayer and legislator, regardless of party, to see where tax money has been going and permit an audit of each department to determine if allocated funds have been reaching targeted programs. There will be an end to raiding the Department of Transportation repair and maintenance funds and the hurricane relief fund. State auditor Marion Higa's analyses of government practices will no longer sit on a dusty shelf.

Like the Berlin Wall falling under its own weight of government failures, the old way of doing things by Hawaii state government has come to a crashing halt. Now there is a "New Beginning" of hope.

Garry P. Smith
Ewa Beach

Historic movie palace should be restored

Unlike mainland Alhambras and Bijoux, movie palaces that exalted someone else's past or glory, the original Waikiki Theater exuded Hawaii's charm and romance.

There were the faux trees and foliage lining the walls, wisps of cloud floating past the starry-skyed ceiling and the lighted colored-glass fountain in the wide entryway that begged you to step up to adventure, mystery, romance or whatever that was playing in a setting worthy of a bewitched beachcomber.

Of course, all of these features were razed years ago, leaving the theater a sad, empty shell of its former self with the ignominious name of Waikiki 3.

Waikiki Theater was a class act. It deserves to be saved and restored to its former glory. such a treasured repository of island dreams, magic and memories should be protected. Losing Waikiki Theater will leave an irreplaceable hole in the middle of Waikiki and in our hearts.

Richard Y. Will
Waikiki

Honolulu a scene of shopping and concrete

What is this our national pastime? Shopping, working, driving, eating or sleeping?

In an area about a quarter the size of London or Paris, we have one of the largest shopping malls on the planet, in addition to every last space being taken up by computer stores, auto dealers, discount stores, grocery stores and shopping centers from Waikiki and Manoa to Aiea and Pearl City and on and on and on.

Maybe it's a compulsive disorder because even visitors on vacation always ask where is Ala Moana Center. Do they shop or go on vacation?

OK. So I'm in a griping mood, but what about all the maniacal traffic dropping off or picking up stuff in all these places all day long.

And where do the local TV stations take the daily temperatures? In their air-conditioned studios? Because at midday at Kapiolani and Kalakaua, it's more like the Sahara at 98 degrees in the shade, rather than a so-called breezy 82 degrees

We've turned this place into a concrete hall. Even London has a park with trees every other block with places to sit down and wonder what in God's name is going on.

John L. Werrill

More people support Wal-Mart development

From what I read in the newspapers and see on television, some people may think that there is wide community opposition to the Sam's Club and Wal-Mart planned for the Keeaumoku superblock. That's not the case.

As a resident and general manager of the Pearl City Sam's Club, I can tell you that just about every day members, customers and friends ask me when is the store going to open at Keeaumoku.

I understand some neighbors may not want the project, but there are a lot more who support it. At the same time, we want to assure the community that we have been meeting with the neighbors and listening to their concerns. We have worked very hard to address their concerns and will keep working hard to be a good community partner.

The 3,000 Sam's Club and Wal-Mart employees and I look forward to serving our members and customers in Central Honolulu.

John Cruz

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