Superferry's value has become apparent
With the sudden closure of Aloha Air cargo operations, it should be obvious now that having an alternate means of swift transportation to our neighbor islands is critical to our economy, even lifesaving for some.
Perhaps immediate resumption of Superferry service to Kauai, and even interim arrangements to Kawaihae may be necessary.
Sid Gurtiza
Wahiawa
Life without air cargo might not be so bad
Maybe we shouldn't be too quick to replace Aloha's air cargo capacity. Sacrifices will obviously have to be made. I live on Oahu and will have a hard time without getting outer island opihi and malie. But a bakery might open in West Hawaii.
Dee Ruzicka
Honolulu
Businesses must adapt to changing conditions
In the past six months, Hawaii has seen the loss of two cruise ships; Aloha Airlines closed after 61 years of service; ATA airlines abruptly halted all service to Hawaii; the tourist industry saw a drop in arrivals of 13 percent in the past month; and unemployment claims have dramatically increased during the past two weeks.
The signals are clear that we have to change the way we are doing business or continue to suffer such losses. Delta and Northwest Airlines have announced an intent to merge and create a more competitive and efficient airline. Are there any other choices for the U.S. airline industry?
Rising fuel costs, increased competition from discount regional airlines that serve niche markets and international carriers supported by state subsidies are changing the marketplace. Delta and Northwest have displayed the foresight to adjust to a changing world market.
As the Department of Justice carefully reviews this business decision, let's hope that the members of Congress keep politics out of the process and face the economic realities of our airline industry.
Lee Bowman
Honolulu
For them, teaching was a job well Dunn
I was so proud and nostalgic on Sunday morning when I read an article in the paper highlighting the Dunn family
("Family of learning," Star-Bulletin, April 27). As an impetuous youth back in the 1980s I was one of the fortunate students at Kalakaua Middle School to have both Mr. and Mrs. Dunn as my instructors. Mrs. Dunn was my seventh-grade science teacher and Mr. Dunn was my eighth-grade adviser. Both were consummate professionals in getting me to learn and grow, and ultimately instilled in me the value of an education.
Although during those early years sometimes my academic achievement was not at the forefront of my classroom thoughts and behaviors, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn gave me the right amount of discipline, encouragement and care for me to eventually get focused and productive.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, for all that you gave me. I have the greatest confidence that the next generation of Dunns in the educational system will be as impactful as the both of you were to me.
Resti Paguirigan
Pearl City
Violating Constitution won't stop graffiti
A big "Sieg heil" to
Larry Fryer on his April 25 letter about graffiti. Searching anyone without probable cause is a violation of the Constitution of the United States. However, since it is being used for toilet paper nowadays, why not? I would assume if they needed someone to administer the caning that Larry would be only too happy to volunteer.
Graffiti is a problem all over these United States and Hawaii is no exception. A better solution to the problem is to have the perpetrators clean up the graffiti. Once in effect that would stop a lot of it, although nothing -- including caning -- will stop it altogether.
John Sammis
Killeen, Texas
Learn from what other metro areas have done
I have live in Washington, D.C., for about 10 years and think our Metro is cool. When Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority decided way back when that D.C., Maryland and Virginia needed a Metrorail system, so many homeowners rejected the plan, because of cost, noise and everything else under the sun. Back in the early '80s, people moved 50 to 60 miles outside of D.C. to save money on homes. Today, with massive traffic jams, rising gas prices and all the things growth can cause, Metro has been a shining star.
Hawaii, don't you see the similarities? Homeowners don't want things in their back yard, taxpayers think it's expensive and lawmakers want to keep constituents happy. I was born and raised on Oahu, and when I return for family vacations, I'm amazed how the locals can put up with all the traffic jams, skyrocketing fuel costs and everything plaguing the island. On a recent visit, I was heading from Kalihi to play golf at Makaha one early morning and the sea of headlights in the distance was just amazing.
Don't get fooled by all these politicians and experts who continue to say "we need to study this and that." Studies cost money, building additional freeway space costs more in infrastructure and could create major traffic problems and the longer you all wait, the higher the cost.
Aloha Honolulu.
Sid Kahoonei
Formerly of Hawaii
Arlington, Va.