Highlight facts, not accusations

Friday morning driving to work, I heard an anti-Charles Djou ad on Hawaiian 105.1, sponsored by the United Public Workers Union Local 646. I am a registered independent and currently undecided voter who is honestly trying to make my vote count in this election.

The radio ad mentioned no specific votes or facts of any kind. It portrayed Djou as a dishonorable puppet for big business, despite his proven record otherwise, which anyone can learn from 20 minutes of research.

Although this ad was uneducated, overly emotional and disrespectful, I cannot imagine these are adjectives that describe Mr. Dayton Nakanelua, the dedicated members of the UPW or candidate Colleen Hanabusa (whom the UPW endorses).

This is Hawaii, not the mainland. My challenge to ALL candidates is this: Show some aloha, debate facts, show respect to community members who've earned it—even if you disagree with them. Be the change that your advertisements call for. My taxes aren't paying for you to act like sixth-graders.

Koa Ridge project must be rejected

The rezoning of agricultural land for the Koa Ridge urban development cannot be permitted. Hawaii is at a critical crossroads. Our survival and prosperity over many generations depends upon recognizing and proactively responding to certain opportunities and challenges. A critical issue faces us with this proposed development.

Castle & Cooke is trying to get 768 acres between Mililani and Pearl City rezoned from agricultural to urban, with plans to build 5,000 homes along with office, commercial and industrial facilities on this prime agricultural land beginning in 2013.

This project directly conflicts with legislatively approved agricultural policy. The state plan supports agricultural diversification on Oahu. The environmental impact statement acknowledges that this project will pave over prime agricultural land, 376 acres of which are currently cultivated for diversified agriculture. This is a critical need, as we already cannot feed ourselves as a state, and Oahu is in a far more dire situation than the other islands.

This development is directly contrary to HRS 226-7.b.(10), which intends to “;assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands with adequate water to accommodate present and future needs.”;

We do not have enough land to feed ourselves, but we have people who want us to rezone our insufficient agricultural lands for more development. This is irresponsible.

The final hearing before the Land Use Commission for this project will likely occur in the third or fourth Thursday of May. We urge commissioners to remember that they are responsible for balancing the needs of present generations with those of future generations.

Koa Ridge area good for housing

I don't understand why people are opposed to the Koa Ridge project. Castle & Cooke, the same company that built Mililani, wants to build a new community between Waipio and Mililani, next to the H-2 freeway and across the street from Costco and the Tony Autoplex.

I was born and raised in Hawaii. I don't want to see our island overdeveloped. But everyone knows we need housing. I would probably oppose a project that wanted to put up thousands of homes in Waialua, Haleiwa or Kahuku. But the Koa Ridge project is literally going to be built next to a freeway, in between two existing residential communities and across the street from a big box store.

Let them build Koa Ridge. Maybe this will help us to keep the country COUNTRY.