Time for ferry critics to pick another cause

I read with amusement the outcome of the $1 million Hawaii Superferry EIS.

The report declares that the cumulative effects of the Superferry would significantly and adversely affect traffic within the vicinity of Nawiliwili, Kahului, Kawaihae and Honolulu harbors. No kidding. That's like saying if you build an airport or shopping center there will be more traffic.

The statement concludes on a positive note that the vessel would increase the capabilities and response times of first-responders and relief efforts in the event of a disaster.

The Superferry has paid her dues for an EIS that has showed us virtually nothing that common sense alone could not have figured out.

I am looking forward to seeing Sen. Gary Hooser and all other politicians who were opposed to the Superferry without an EIS at the champagne ribbon-cutting relaunch party of the voluptuous Alakai Superferry.

It's time to move on. And to all who were opposed to the Superferry, it's time to find something else to pass the time and vent your anger at. And to all who supported the Superferry, looking forward to sailing with you in the very near future. Maybe we can even do a little whale watching en route to Honolulu.

What's an unpaid musician to do?

They sacrifice, study and practice all of their lives until they can pass auditions to play in the great Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Then they rehearse, study and sacrifice to give educational concerts to school kids and perform to give us the best music we can hear. They have a great conductor. Yet even before the economic downturn, they weren't always paid. Honest, hard-working people, the best in the business weren't paid for doing a good job!

Supposedly, the symphony board has prestigious people; yet no financially sound plan with future stability materialized. Perpetual donors might have felt they were contributing to a bottomless pit and stopped. With the economic downturn, things are worse. Rent, food and medical bills mount. In bad times we need music more than ever. It has been said that a great nation needs great art. Mayor, governor, anyone - help? At least help pay them for work already done. Otherwise, what's a good musician to do?

Mormon caring offers a lesson for us all

The Dec. 29 Associated Press story about the Mormons taking care of their own makes me think that therein lies a partial solution to our current economic woes - the problems that face our entire society, our country.

The Mormon program works because they care about each other, and they take care of those who need help. Those who have the means give and give and give. And their masses tithe, 10 percent of their income, to the church, so it's a church-run form of social security, and it works. Only those who need the help get it. Those who can, help those who need. What could be a better solution?

It also teaches believers to take care of themselves. The Mormons preach a doctrine of self-reliance and selflessness, and they practice what they preach. Go to a Mormon home and you'll find a well-stocked pantry with food stockpiled to feed the family for a year.

My congratulations to the LDS church for the well-run program that provides a safety net for their own. The church is well-known for running a worldwide welfare and humanitarian service program that has been going on for decades. They share surpluses, even cash, where it is needed.

I know there are other older religions that have similar programs - the Catholic Charities program, for example.

Thirty-three percent of the world's population is Christian and if even only that third of our world population followed the example of the Mormon Church, we might survive. Seventy-five percent of the people in our country call themselves Christians, belonging to one of the thousands of separate Christian groups that have been identified. Just think if they all emulated the Mormon program.

And Christianity is only one of the nearly 20 major world religions, which are subdivided into 270 large religious groups and the many smaller ones. Undoubtedly, some of them must also have such relief programs.

It's worth a try. Who knows, maybe one of the larger religions could even take care of the nonbelievers.

Voters made their choices: Mufi and rail

I'm sick and tired of hearing and reading anti-rail and anti-Mufi rhetoric. What have any of these groups opposing rail ever done for the residents of this island? If they spent half their time and energy helping to pick up trash or volunteering for community projects this place would be a better place to live.

Mayor Hannemann has helped with almost every aspect of improving the living conditions of our community, including trying to help the economy get back on its feet with thousands of jobs that will be created when the mass transit rail system comes on line, not to mention the alleviation of road rage traffic by upwards of 20 percent.

Don't try to resurrect anti-rail sentiment with childish ploys to impeach Mufi. By the way, it isn't Mufi's fault that the EPA is mandating changes in our sewage plants.

The people voted “;yes”; to Mufi being the mayor again, and “;yes”; to the rail system in true democratic fashion. Please accept the will of the people and let the good energy of the mayor and the rail system proceed without further delay.

Stop Rail isn't behind impeachment effort

Let's clear the air about the misconception that the Stop Rail Now group is behind the attempted impeachment of the mayor. Let it be absolutely clear, Stop Rail Now is not responsible, nor are we involved in the move to impeach the mayor. Further, we are not responsible for the $1.3 million of taxpayer money that was spent to promote the rail. We worked with donations to counter the mayor's deep-pocket tax money, and with what little we had we did a pretty good job.

We accept the decision of the people and are now involved with the environmental impact statement debate to ensure that the right choices are made before construction begins. We were told these decisions were already made before the vote took place. We were told that everything was in order, including the route, and that the federal money was on its way. Within a week after the vote the route was changed.

Every taxpayer has the responsibility to question the use of public funds and hold all elected officials accountable. It could be that the group who is calling for impeachment is doing just that. Get involved with the issues instead of being a sedentary accuser. Wednesday was the deadline to voice your input regarding the EIS, did you?

Army-Navy game might salute Hawaii

Hawaii has always had a close and strong connection to the country's military. The 2009 Army-Navy game will make this evident. Both head coaches are former UH Rainbows. Keiki o ka aina will be high on the list of Washington, D.C., dignitaries there. In fact, one of them will officially cheer for Annapolis during one half of the game and for West Point the other and present the winner with the commander-in-chief trophy.

Rumors are rampant that Pearl Harbor survivors will be honored by the Navy, and the 100th/442nd veterans by the Army.

Aloha wear welcomed.