Grandstanding over flag vexing

I was alarmed to read that flag-bearing and freedom-supporting citizens were shouting down elected officials who did not share their political views. I thought the flag represented a constitutional democracy that valued free speech, yet these patriots seemed unwilling to entertain alternative opinions.

State Rep. Kymberly Pine would be well advised to realize that community associations are perpetuated plantations where freedom rarely reigns. The fact that she is fighting for a mere symbol of freedom rather than real freedom and participation in community associations suggests that the flag is being used for political grandstanding.

We needed a discussion about participative democracy in community associations, and we got a political ploy pandering to voters in an election year.

City can't even take care of our roads

Why should we believe that Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the City & County of Honolulu will be able to maintain the rail if it is built? They are unable to maintain the roads, which are, and will remain, the main infrastructure for the vast majority of travelers. The roads are ranked as some of the worst in the U.S., even though we probably have fewer roads to maintain than any other state. The just-opened Fort Weaver Road opened with three lanes, each done at a different time, and none blended together—forming an already poor road condition in need of repaving. Typical.

What's to prevent the rail system from becoming another TheBoat? At least when TheBoat was canceled, it left no eyesore behind. That won't be true for the rail—which really means they couldn't afford to let the rail die, so we'll be stuck throwing money into that hole forever. Feel your taxes going up yet?

Koa Ridge project should be rejected

I oppose Castle & Cooke's proposed development on some of the best agricultural land left on Oahu.

Its proposed Koa Ridge project would directly pave over more than 760 acres of prime A and B agricultural land and add thousands of cars to the commuting traffic nightmare along H-2 and H-1.

The state Land Use Commission needs to stop this dangerous development. Why? Because it:

» Threatens Hawaii's ability to feed itself, sustain future generations and adapt to potential import disruptions.

» Would harm Hawaii's efforts to become more energy independent by continuing the misguided trend of urban sprawl.

» Would drain precious water resources and hastens the day when expensive desalinization plants might need to be built.

» Would cause gridlock, and thus more pollution, reducing the time families can spend together and impairing the productivity of everyone who would rather be at work or home instead of staring at an endless line of brake lights.

End state drought by passing HB 444

In light of recent declarations by fundamentalists that Washington's record snowstorm was caused by its passage of an equal marriage law, and that Haiti's hurricane was caused by its people's pact with Satan, it is obvious that Hawaii's drought is caused by the Legislature's refusal to pass House Bill 444 on civil unions. I urge the government to save our state and its people from disaster by passing the bill now.

Oh yes, it's a matter of civil rights and equality for all people in our state.

Lack of leadership makes bans useless

Here we go again, wasting days and days talking about banning fireworks.

But just because you ban something doesn't mean that it's going to stop. Years of lack of leadership had made the use of the word “;ban”; a big farce.

Tinted windows on vehicles, noisy mufflers, urinating in public, use of crack, crossing red traffic lights, etc.—are all banned, but there's nobody to enforce the laws. We have weak law enforcement and a very weak judicial system that look good on the brochure but not on the docket. Maybe with our new police chief, things will change; so far, not much has.

The media should publish a monthly report of these “;banned”; activities to see the progress made. We can get all the stats for any NFL or NBA teams but not on what is most important to us: peace and safety.

Allowing tent cities encourages homeless

Millions of middle-class families spend with great delight summer vacations in tents in campgrounds at European beaches and gladly pay good money for it. In Hawaii, we have eternal summer so you can live like this year round. Camping is free in beautiful beachfront city parks with the same amenities as European campgrounds: drinking water, showers and toilets—generously provided by taxpayers of Honolulu. Why are some people so stupid and still pay rent? Let's tell the whole world: Come to Hawaii! No need to pay expensive rent in paradise. Just bring a tent!

Seriously: The unbelievably stupid Honolulu city administration creates most of the so-called homeless problem by allowing these tent cities!