Hotel should have kept its tree-lined entrance

If you're planning a visit to The Kahala (formerly Hilton, Mandarin and now Resort), brace yourself for one huge unpleasant jolt. The beautiful trees that graced the entry driveway have been butchered beyond recovery. No, I take that back; butchers are professionals, and so perhaps what was done should be called something else.

Whatever you may call it, ask yourself, whatever were the managers of the Kahala thinking when they ordered the stumping of trees that have been expertly pruned over the course of many years?

The hotel has always been one of our finest eating and lodging places. And as a frequent and regular patron for nearly 40 years, I have always loved going there. However, it's a little impossible to keep the resort at the top of the list when your entry view is tree stumps. Now I'm wondering, how do I bring myself to get past those?

Bill boosts money, miles to transit plan

The article on an anticipated increase in the amount collected through the general excise tax mass transit surcharge (Star-Bulletin, March 15) reads as if the 10 percent withheld by the state for handling the collection is a given.

Readers should be aware that an effort is being made to reduce the amount -- particularly since the money kept by the state goes into the general fund rather than its intended use for transit. The Senate held a bill introduced for that purpose but will now hold hearings on a similar measure, House Bill 724.

The original version of HB 724 was modified and no longer indicates how much the state's take should be reduced. Since the state Department of Taxation is unable (or unwilling) to provide an estimate of its annual costs for handling the surcharge collection, reduction to 1 percent or $1 million, whichever is less, is suggested as sufficient to cover future state expenses. The activation date for the bill should be made retroactive to Jan. 1. Funds restored to the city's special fund for transit will "translate" into additional miles of fixed guideway on an expedited schedule. Residents should urge their senators, especially those on the Economic Development and Tourism and the Ways and Means committees, to pass HB 724.

Bad owners, not dogs, leave messes behind

In response to Alvin Park's letter to the editor ("If you don't like dogs, stay away from Waikiki," March 20): The problem is not the dogs, it's the owners' not picking up their dog mess while out on their walks. Worse yet, if you're like my family and you live in a condo and have to live next to someone with animal stench reeking out of their unit it can be very uncomfortable. I live right next to Jefferson Elementary, and my children see the daily mess while in school. Too much dog feces! Auwe!

Why make it harder for those not in cars?

We are all aware that the H-1 freeway makes it possible to drive from one end of town to the other without encountering traffic lights or pedestrians. Yet traffic controllers seem to want to make it easier for drivers to go faster across town by eliminating some bus stops and keeping short the time given pedestrian crossing. The phrase "keep traffic moving" comes to mind.

But what about the pedestrians and the bus riders? These people ease traffic by keeping cars off the road. Yet by doing this they put their lives in jeopardy trying to cross the streets before the lights change and trying to shorten, somehow, the longer walk created by lengthened distance between bus stops. Some cannot walk the extra two blocks or so.

Are these traffic planners answerable to anyone? They seem oblivious to complaints. Are they appointed by the mayor? Can we fire them? Can we fire the mayor?

Voting only by mail will save time, money

Senate Bill 156, making it mandatory for all registered voters to vote by mail, has passed the state Senate and is with the House of Representatives. The advantages to vote by mail are numerous:

So, people, let the state representatives of your district and other districts know that we need to pass SB 156 and get ready for the 2008 presidential election. Let's do it! Oregon does, and gets terrific results.