What's so bad about making a big profit?

I keep hearing, "Why are gas prices here so high? The oil companies are gouging the people of Hawaii. Why do they charge so much for gas and make such obscene profits?"

They do it because they can. Last time I looked, making huge profits was not illegal, but was actually the point of being in business.

Better things on the way for Waikiki

Of Waikiki, John L. Werrill (Letters, Sept. 25) asks, "Who would want to live there?" I would and do.

I could live in many locations on Oahu, but I choose to live in Waikiki, as do 28,000 other happy residents. Our "concrete jungle" is supplemented by millions of annual visitors who obviously do not find Waikiki "asphyxiating, overwhelming and saturated," as he proffers.

As to Lewers Street, if he had bothered to review plans, public input or design information, which incidentally have been publicly available for more than two years, he would have seen that the new developments will actually decrease density, create open spaces, and provide significantly more sunshine and aesthetically attractive structures than what existed before.

Waikiki-bashing continues to be a favorite past time in Hawaii. Let me remind all state residents that according to Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism figures, "Waikiki, through its tourism-related activity, accounted for an estimated 8 percent of Hawaii's Gross State Product in 2002. This amounted to roughly $3.6 billion. In addition, 10 percent of all civilian jobs statewide and 12 percent of all state and county tax revenues can be credited to Waikiki's attraction of visitors."

Obviously, some people don't think of Waikiki as a "pile driver heap of mismanagement."

Waikiki still has much to offer residents

It's probably a good thing that John L. Werrill (Letters, Sept. 25) was able to leave Waikiki; it's not so good that he doesn't welcome its current movements toward being an even better place than it already is. It will never be another city like the ones he mentions (thank God), nor will they ever be Waikiki.

I suggest that the next time John is in Waikiki that he pause to look at the beauty that is all around him. Nowhere else in the world is there a place for everyone to live right next to beautiful beaches, sunsets and friendly people. I spent many happy years living, working and surfing in Waikiki, and never fail to enjoy revisiting it.

Will Harbin ever do the right thing?

If Rep. Bev Harbin doesn't know now that the "right thing" for her to do is resign from her appointment to the state House of Representatives (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 23), why should we expect her to do the "right thing" once the state Legislature convenes in January, when she'll have the potential to do great harm?

Give Harbin credit for handling problems

Democrats moan about Beverly Harbin's tax liens, but she's done something about them by liquidating personal assets, including her house, to pay down the obligations. Contrast this to big-shot Democrats in tax trouble who have escaped completely, assets intact, with the help of these same crybabies.

With all the microbusinesses in her district, Harbin could be the best choice as someone who really understands the pressures of keeping an enterprise alive.

Hooray for the lady whose "take no crap" umbrella shields her from crocodile tears of "we're in control" Democrats who resent the independence of the small businessperson.

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