Forget recycling; build a new island with trash
Curbside recycling -- doesn't that term just make you feel all warm and fuzzy? But I oppose it, because it's a goofy idea. It would be inconvenient for us (all those different containers, all that separating of our garbage), and expensive for the city. Curbside recycling is offered as a solution to our garbage problems, but it solves nothing. Even with recycling, sooner or later the garbage will mount up, and a place will have to be found for it.
I have a solution. Magic Island was a wonderful addition to our island, and it is built on garbage. More of these magic islands would give us park space where we like it best -- along the shoreline. Give us no nonsense about the environment; the building of Magic Island has caused no known problems. We should start thinking about where the next Magic Island should be built. We should not wait until the current garbage dump is overflowing.
Mark Terry
Honolulu
UH should say 'aloha' to athletic director
I developed a tremendous respect for University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan when he emotionally announced
his decision to pass on the NFL draft and stick with his teammates in 2007. This respect has grown during the past few months as shock waves were generated from UH athletic director Herman Frazier's inability to complete this coming season's schedule and his lack of candor in keeping UH fans informed ("
Frazier: I 'miscalculated,'" Star-Bulletin, March 25).
It's bad enough that UH will include more than one team representing "Little Sisters of the Poor," but to suggest that these issues have not had and impact on season ticket sales is pure shibai. It has had an impact. If it were not for Brennan's return, the numbers would have taken a big hit. People are purchasing tickets simply because they are excited to see this future NFL player on the field. To his credit, Brennan has remained silent and loyal to the program.
I cannot fathom why the public has remained silent on Frazier's shortcomings ... sports writers certainly have not. I now dread the thought that this individual will hire the next UH basketball coach. Let's get an athletic director who is equal to the performance expected of UH athletes and coaches. Aloha, Mr. Frazier!
Kelvin Char
Kailua
Money interests ruin Oahu's surf scene
After 60 years in Hawaii, I moved to Phuket, Thailand. The sea and all places beautiful have not been closed here yet because there remain traditional fishing villages that are willing to fight money interests.
Oahu has become a place for the rich. Surfers are not wanted. Surfing is one of the last free recreational sports and it is being closed to us -- including parking at the Ala Wai and Kaisers. Greed.
Eliminating free parking at Bowls and other surfing areas is immoral. It can only lead to more social problems. Surfers again must show strength. We are all brothers and sisters under the gun of the powerful and rich, who would just as soon throw us into prison for unpaid parking tickets as enjoy a few hours of free surfing.
What is the solution? Confine the working class into ghettos? Experience an increase of stress-induced violence, family abuse, alcoholism, drug use and insanity? Why? People have had their culture, rights and heritage taken away from them. Even the sun and sea are stolen. What next, the air we breathe?
Ted Gugelyk
Former Hawaii resident
Phuket, Thailand
HMSA execs don't deserve bonuses
Regarding the story "
Hiam gets $1.1M to lead HMSA," Star-Bulletin, March 20:
Hawaii Medical Service Association needs a new board. It gave away $4,4887,464 in salaries and bonuses to 10 top executives who were rated for excellent performance while producing an undisclosed operating loss. A total of $1,813,518 of this was for bonuses! Members had to pay a 3.8 percent increase in rates and doctors are complaining about late reimbursements. Too many are leaving the state.
In the meantime, HMSA lobbies against rate regulation and other oversight by the Legislature of this essential industry. If the board is not shamed into resigning, what recourse is there except the Legislature? Unfortunately, executives select their own boards, treat them lavishly and justify their pay by whatever standards they themselves set.
A.L. Rogers
Kaneohe
Growth of West Oahu demands rail transit
I've lived in Makakilo for 29 years. With all the plans for West Oahu, this will be a very exciting place to live in the next 20 years. Kapolei will have as much commercial space as downtown Honolulu, a brand new university, new attractions, and thousands of new homes and new jobs available.
All this is good, but progress causes traffic congestion. Our roads are already crammed and we need a better way to get in and out of the area other than by car. We have a chance to make the commute from West Oahu to Honolulu better. Let's not let this opportunity pass us by again. Rail transit is what we need. Many of the homes, jobs and activity centers are going to be along the new rail corridor. It's a no-brainer that we'll need rail transit.
Lance C. Holden
Kapolei
Surely America can do better than Newt
You gotta love Newt Gingrich's mea culpa, admitting his marital infidelities while leading the rabid pack of "holier than thou" Republican dogs who went after President Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Disgraced and quitting as speaker of the House, third in line for the presidency, Newty is going for the brass ring in 2008? Can't America, with more than 300 million citizens, produce one person for its nation's highest office who isn't a scumbag?
Paul D'Argent
Lahaina, Maui