Don't put it off -- prepare to evacuate
We need to have disaster evacuation drills, even if it is only once a year. Too many people do not know what to do, where the evacuation centers are, what to bring, whether to use the car or not, etc.
All the hotels have to brief tourists on the safety procedures in case of tsunami or hurricane. The more knowledge they have, the easier it will be to control panic or haste.
We definitely cannot wait for the big one to happen. We must prepare. Now is the time.
Roy E. Shigemura
Honolulu
Preserve unique aura of Chinatown
The article about Chinatown was phenomenal and oh so correct (
Star-Bulletin, June 18). After promises of returning Waikiki to a gathering place for locals and tourists alike, I pray that local government will not destroy the Chinatown area. I hope they will not see fit to get Donald Trump involved in the Chinatown project.
We love Hawaii, but Waikiki is becoming less and less user-friendly. We will still come to the islands, but we most likely will visit only Kauai. We pray that the public will get involved and stay involved in this issue and it will work to maintain Chinatown's aura.
Nancy Brown
Frequent visitor
Seattle, Wash.
Give Hawaiians land and get rid of OHA
In response to
Oz Stender's Sunday column on the demise of the Akaka Bill and his critique of the critics, I have one solution: Let the people of Hawaii vote on it.
I've seen several hour-long television spots sponsored by OHA and other supporters of the bill, and only small unannounced public TV Olelo pieces by opponents. This doesn't seem fair. Let us vote and let's have a real debate about it.
My guess is this will never happen because someone is afraid that some truth will come out.
My solution: Get a list of the aboriginal Hawaiians; give the ceded lands (204,000 acres) and other Hawaiian assets to the aboriginal Hawaiians; get rid of OHA and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and let the Hawaiians use those assets to do what they will. If you combine these assets with the Bishop Estate assets ($10 billion which are really the kingdom's, and the kingdom's people's assets, if you look at how Princess Pauahi Bishop inherited it), the Hawaiians will have the ability and capability to do whatever they think is right.
Lawrence Basich
Honolulu
Good negotiator needed for N. Korea
Often children misbehave to get your attention. A wise parent takes the time to talk to the child and redirect this child to a prudent, productive goal. But what happens when an adult behaves like a child, as has the leader of North Korea, announcing plans to launch a nuclear missile test across the Pacific Ocean, that could reach Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States?
To ease tensions between North Korea and the United States, North Korea asks for talks between the two nations.
How does President George "Bring it on" Bush respond? He announces that the United States might test an interceptor rocket from Hawaii (which it did yesterday). Why doesn't he just paint a bulls-eye on the islands?
It's a move that Jeb Bush, the president's brother and governor of Florida, can appreciate. If the North Koreans send Hawaii a missile and the U.S. interceptor rocket fails to blow it up, many of the tourist dollars destined for Hawaii likely will be rerouted to Florida.
You can be part of the solution by contacting your congressional representative to demand that a competent U.S. negotiator (not Bush) hold talks with North Korea to ease the tensions, before the 50th state becomes an atoll in the Pacific.
Stephen Burns
Mililani
A Gov. Inouye could endorse successor
A local weekly tabloid is running a survey in which one question asks who should be running for governor, but isn't. A possible third and obvious candidate for governor for the Democratic Primary should be Sen. Dan Inouye.
He is in midterm, and does not have to resign.
And when he wins, he can endorse his own successor. Now, how much better can this get?
Arvid T. Youngquist
Honolulu
What Hawaii needs is a discount gas dealer
Earlier this year I talked with a friend in North Carolina, and the subject of gas prices came up. At the time he was paying about $2.74 a gallon, and here in Honolulu I was paying around $2.94 -- only 20 cents' difference. I talked with him again Monday; he is paying $2.64 and I am paying $3.27, more than 60 cents' difference. If ever there was a case of price gouging going on, this would be it. On the mainland before and after a hurricane or disaster, it is illegal for stores or service providers to gouge the public, yet we're being gouged every day.
This time you can't tell me it's the price you pay to live in paradise. OK, it is the price I have to pay. But it's not right. What we need is a "go!" gasoline station!
Ralph Pickett
Honolulu
Leave Kailua Beach's natural beauty alone
I would like to offer a "mainlander's" point of view in response to a
June 1 letter writer's opposition to the proposal banning
commercial activity at Kailua Beach Park.
There are very few places left that are as beautiful and serene as Kailua Beach. My husband and I recently had the opportunity to spend an afternoon there, and with the exception of sitting on top of a mountain in the Colorado Rockies, I have never experienced such a sense of utter peace.
I believe it should stay just as it is; there are lots of other beaches to "commercialize" and it would be a shame to deprive people of the chance to experience the treasure that is Kailua Beach.
Carolynne Bobbitt
Visitor
Schertz, Texas