Superferry could skip Kauai service for now
Instead of the Superferry resuming service to Kauai while an environmental assessment is conducted, how about the state Legislature green-light the company to provide access for the disabled and others who cannot get on a plane, to provide service for the majority of regular folks -- Hawaii's families and our visiting friends and relatives, and tourists to Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu. Then after the EIS is done, let's see what unfolds on Kauai.
Wayland Quintero
Aiea
Citizens' comments are not 'ludicrous'
It's not nice at all for Republican Senate leader Fred Hemmings to label suggestions from citizens' groups about the Superferry as "ludicrous," (
Star-Bulletin, Oct. 19).
Citizens have a right to be heard and not be simply brushed off. These concerns are very real to them. Concerns come out of one's unique life experiences.
For example: The "bunchy top" bananas problem, the disease brought from Taiwan that very quickly destroyed the wiliwili trees throughout the island, and my own battle with haole koa that continues to invade my lawn, enlightened me as to why airports make a fuss over horticulture items coming in and out of country.
The Environmental Impact Statement is a disclosure process that allows involved parties to share their views, concerns and information.
It's really too bad that requests for an EIS for the Superferry fell on deaf ears.
Citizens' opinions and concerns must be heard. Elected officials must never ignore, let alone ridicule.
Choon James
Kahuku
Protesters make travelers wary
I'm just wondering how safe our cars will be on Kauai and Maui if the Superferry gets approval to operate. With all the protests, I will not travel until the Kauai and Maui protesters can give assurance that no damage will occur to our cars or ourselves.
Good luck to any travelers.
A. Takamoto
Honolulu
Legislators have shown courage
As our legislators work on a solution to address the Superferry, they should take heart in the knowledge that those who oppose their efforts to do the right thing are the obnoxious minority. The rest of us recognize that while the Superferry was not responsible for the mistakes in the approval process, it is being victimized by those mistakes. This situation is not black and white, and neither is the solution.
We understand that conditional operation presents a reasonable and respectful way to address the primary concerns of the two camps. The arrangement would be active only as long as necessary, because if upon completion, the environmental study concludes that the Superferry has any areas of adverse impact, we expect procedures to be developed to address those concerns. The state's efforts in spearheading conditional operation would also help heal the perception of Hawaii as anti-business.
In the process of trying to balance issues important to all parties, our legislators have been subject to the public wrath of a few extremists. Let's be sure to remember their courage in the voting booth.
Mark Tamashiro
Honolulu
Italian venture brings ethics back to sports
Professional sports are becoming increasingly violent and unethical. More and more we hear of serious injuries such as head concussions, bribing and kickback scandals, rampant steroid use, intimidation and other forms of cheating. Sport, in fact, now typifies the worst aspects of the entertainment business more than it resembles healthy competition.
To combat this hedonistic "win at all costs" syndrome, Italy's Centro Sportivo Italiano, established by the Catholic lay movement Catholic Action, recently purchased 80 percent of the Italian soccer club AC Ancona. Under the new ownership home game prices will be cheaper and profits from the ball club will fund charitable work in the Third World.
Catholic Action has also implemented new club rules whereby fans will be forbidden to taunt and insult opponents, and offensive banners will be prohibited in the stands. Players will even face mandatory volunteer work for foul play on the field. The goal of the project is to bring morals to sport, to reintroduce ethics to an area that is experiencing a crisis of values. We can all learn from this initiative.
If local amateur and professional sports clubs alike followed the example of Catholic Action and began operating as ethics-friendly charitable organizations not only will the players and fans benefit but so will the poor. And sport itself will return to its glory days of authenticity and respectability.
Brian Smith
Honolulu
Disney's hotel will fit right in at Ko Olina
Kathryn Banach (
Letters, Oct. 22) says allowing the Disney Co. to build a hotel in the Ko Olina resort area makes her sick. She also admits she is "a fairly new person to the island."
If Banach had done some research, she would discover Ko Olina is a master-planned community. That means it was designed for condos, a golf course, marina, four man-made lagoons, and, are you ready, hotels.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a longtime Disney Co. shareholder.
Mike Sowers
Kaanapali, Maui