Those good old days weren't so long ago

I'm so old that I remember when America was the most respected world power; when it was the honored benefactor/defender/leader of the United Nations; when its allies trusted America's actions and motives; when America brought its skyrocketing deficit under control; when the gap between its rich and poor was not as great as it is today; when a new administration attempted to extend health care to everyone; when no one feared the loss of Social Security benefits; when the dollar was the equal of the euro ... Come to think of it, anyone over the age of 10 not only can remember, but actually lived during those good old days.

Community will feel loss of Kohanaiki

I recently read the announcement that The Shores of Kohanaiki will begin developing during the next year. It's unfortunate that the desires and culture of the community will once again be disregarded.

People looking to "progress towards development" ignored our years of protest against the project. Somehow their selfishness looks past the fact that we are a people of the land and sea. We don't need 500 residences or an 18-hole golf course to enjoy one of the last surviving ahupuaa on the Big Island.

The loss of Kohanaiki is tremendous and will alter the soul of the community forever, and the invasion of changes will cause the environment to suffer. I also hope that they will also find new solutions to the traffic problems that will arise as a result of a project of this magnitude.

Our keiki won't be able to pass on this sacred treasure. How will the future generations learn to respect the land if none of it is left to learn from?

The land of Hawaii is isolated, rare and fragile. Once it is gone there is no reversing the damage.

Mayor pandered to Hawaiian groups

It is unfortunate that new Mayor Mufi Hannemann has signed the repeal of Bill 38 that gave condominium owners the same rights as single-family homeowners to obtain the fee simple title to their property. It never was an issue of Hawaiian rights but turned into such when Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian trusts did the math and found that they would reap millions from the investments of condominium owners if they could convince the City Council that it was a Hawaiian rights issue and not just a money issue.

When hundreds of condominium owners are forced from their homes when their leases expire there will be many Hawaiians, Samoans and even haoles who will lose their life savings so that the politicians could pander to the Hawaiian rights groups. Where's the aloha?

Cows and chickens are right behind pets

Now, lets see. It's illegal to eat cats and dogs (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 11). Next thing they'll be making illegal to eat cows, pigs and chickens. What is the world coming to? Since when in America is it illegal to eat any domestic animals? Animal activists should mind their business or maybe they should try some.