What horror will surface next?

What will our collective government think of next to amuse and entertain both the locals and our delightful visitors? Not too long ago it was dumping the poop from a nearby broken sewer main into the Ala Wai Canal where it could be distributed along our world-famous Waikiki Beach so everyone could swim in it.

Thereafter, our aging and badly deteriorated sewer system has been mostly ignored, as if another warning break had never occurred.

In a time of prosperity, instead of seriously repairing and upgrading our badly deteriorated local road and highway systems, we have watched as few serious repairs were made. Numerous potholes were filled in but never properly sealed, so that they could be repaired again in a few months.

Now we have had the opportunity to wave goodbye to that nasty old nuisance, the Hawaii Superferry. I can hardly wait to see what the powers that be will come up with next.

Beach park restrooms need some TLC

We have been visiting your beautiful state each winter for more than 30 years and have enjoyed your beaches every year. Though upon returning this winter, we were shocked and appalled by the terrible condition of the beach park restrooms, especially at Kailua Beach Park, which seems to be the most visited beach on the island because of its calm blue waters and soft white sand.

But these restrooms certainly cannot be safe for anyone, especially children! It creates many problems for visitors who need to use the restrooms and certainly takes away from the enjoyment and beauty of the beach itself. Something needs to be done as soon as possible.

Ugly side lurks under Hawaii's pretty exterior

I have travelled to and from the mainland numerous times and have never failed to notice the dynamism of communities there, in stark contrast to our local attitudes and practices. Mainland cities and towns fight hard to obtain and maintain businesses. We seem to have absolutely no idea how to do so. We should be nurturing our businesses, large and small, at every opportunity. Instead, we have an uncanny ability to prevent their establishment and to hasten their demise, many leaving in utter disgust.

Oh, of course, visitors oooh and aaaah at the beauty of the place, but they certainly wouldn't do business here. Why take the risk with Hawaii when there are thousands of communities on the mainland that will welcome their enterprises and will make amazing concessions to outbid the competing town in the county next door?

I'm ashamed and disgusted at those in their black robes and environmental gear who sit smugly in judgment of our business community. We're a pretty place, but we're not taken seriously by the rest of the world. Beneath their expressions of appreciation for our gorgeous landscapes, they're laughing at our quaint, self-destructing stupidity. Justifiably so.

Hawaii's good at taking money from Uncle Sam

The Navy should not have to pay reef damage reparation to the state. Hawaii politicians have long been experts at using disasters to milk money from the federal government: Hurricane Iniki, $400 million. An inflated $56 million for University of Hawaii flood damage. Millions more for Big Island earthquake damage and, of course, the famous $2 billion to build the H-3 in the name of “;defense.”;

Did the state worry about coral destruction when it built the reef runway in 1977? Hardly. I'll bet that damaged some coral. And how much money did Uncle Sam contribute to build the runway, which has benefited tourism immensely over the years? How about $81 million!

I'm sure there was some damage to the coral, but 10 acres' worth seems a bit inflated. And as for the sewage spill, it was a drop in the bucket compared to what the City & County of Honolulu dumped into the Ala Wai Canal. Obviously, the sewage spill posed no long-term threat to the reef. If the Navy has to pay for its accident, perhaps HawaiianTel should be forced to make monetary amends for the power outage caused by an antiquated system that couldn't stand a lightning strike. Both ideas are equally absurd.

It'll all shake out in the next elections

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is the strongest candidate for governor because of huge support from unions and by virtue of his experience with local, state and national government. But Abercrombie's statement about the surge in Iraq might turn off voters who respect the blood and sweat of our armed forces sacrificed in that war zone. Bribing and paying the Anbar Iraqis so they don't kill coalition forces, as stated by Abercrombie, is an insult to our fighting men.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona might give Neil a hard time with his endeavor to the state Capitol.

Every bus on Oahu should be a hybrid

I am urgently asking city officials to use more hybrid buses to improve the environment and better our planet.

You see, whenever we use automobiles that are run by gasoline or diesel fuel, the exhaust they give off is very harmful to the ecosystem. The toxic fumes and chemicals in the exhaust are also harmful to your health. This can cause lung cancer or serious chronic problems, such as cardiovascular disease or asthma.

I am well aware that the city has taken the first step to making this hybrid act happen. I have observed when I wait for the bus before and after school that Honolulu has put some hybrids onto the streets, and that is great. But we need to look at the bigger picture. If there are only a handful of hybrids, then we are only doing the bare minimum. If we have all of our buses switched to hybrid, including school buses, then we are doing the absolute maximum that we can to better the place we call our home: Planet Earth.

So I am asking, as a concerned citizen of Honolulu, that all of our buses be hybrids. This will not only help our planet, but it will also draw attention to Hawaii as an environmentally friendly place. I will guess that people from the mainland and foreign countries will enjoy visiting places that are known for helping the environment. Thank you for your time, my fellow citizens, and remember: One person, no matter how small, can make a difference. Mahalo!