Developer should support new aquarium

If Andy Anderson's Kakaako development is to succeed, he'll need an attraction bigger than a ferris wheel. Besides, the sight of an E.K. Fernandez-type ride intruding on one of our last prime ocean-front properties isn't going to sit well with many residents.

An attraction that does have a proven record of anchoring development areas is the aquarium. In Sydney, Long Beach, Baltimore and Monterey (to name a few), aquariums have transformed empty, scruffy, dockside slums into thriving gathering places, bustling with colorful shops, restaurants, theaters and museums.

Oceanside of Anderson's proposed project, at a point commanding postcard views of Diamond Head and Waikiki, lies an ideal aquarium site. The Hawaii Community Development Authority has wisely set aside this parcel just for this purpose.

All that stands in the way of this dream is funding from both public and private sources. A committee has been established and is looking for donations. Anderson would be well-advised to join the fund-raising effort.

C. Richard Fassler

UH should be more generous about patents

Your July 30 story, "UH asserts ownership of cloning patents," saddened me. The use of lawsuits to control patent issues could have a chilling effect on University of Hawaii researchers who might start their own companies here.

As someone familiar with a multibillion-dollar high-tech start-up, I know how hard it is to get a new venture going. Having to climb a hill when your royalty is already cut by 50 percent makes it nearly impossible.

Most will agree that the high-tech industry is critical for Hawaii's economic future. To encourage this, what if UH reduced its royalty claim to 20 percent, if the new company agreed to employ a significant portion of its work force in Hawaii?

This would bring high-paying jobs, plus tax revenues and the royalty. And 20 percent of a billion dollars is better than 50 percent of nothing.

Aaron Oki
Torrance, Calif.
Via the Internet

Defense Department gives out awards

An ongoing Department of Defense program provides recognition in the form of certificates to military and DOD civilian personnel who served our country honorably during the Cold War. For service members who served during what our government has termed "conflicts" and not "wars," this is a small token of appreciation from a grateful nation.

If any of your readers would like to apply for this certificate and recognition, and they have Internet access, they can find a helpful site at http://www.militaryreport.com. Simply access this site and click on the "Archives" star-shaped button at the bottom of the page. The next page will have a line called "Cold War Certificate Update." Click this button and it will take you to a form letter that the applicant can use to request a certificate.

It's not the same as a ticker-tape parade, but it's a start.

Kevin Saito
Via the Internet

Quotables "Sorry, there's not a lot of jammin' in classical music." Mariko Anraku HARPIST SET TO PERFORM SATURDAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S ORVIS AUDITORIUM On whether she ever "jams" with her fiance, cellist William De Rosa, who will also be featured in the concert "Words cannot express the grief we all feel at Walter's udden death. He was truly one of a kind." Ron Taketa PICKED TO SERVE AS INTERIM FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HAWAII CARPENTERS UNION On the death of the union's longtime leader, Walter Kupau, 63

Honolulu has gone downhill since Fasi

Recently, while my wife and I were visiting Honolulu, we were shocked at how dirty some of the streets were. The Ala Wai Canal is a disgrace. Also, since my wife is disabled, I was allowed to use a handicap placard for parking purposes. But I was shocked when an police officer advised me that if my parking meter expired, my car would be ticketed and towed.

Many cities on the mainland allow handicapped/disabled persons with valid handicap license plates or placards to park at meters without getting ticketed or towed if their meters run out. Honolulu is the first city we have visited that does not allow this practice. Don't you care about the disabled people who visit the islands?

When Frank Fasi was mayor, the town was clean and he cared for the people. In speaking with many residents while visiting Oahu, we were amazed at the number who would like to see him return to the mayor's office, too.

I always felt that Mr. Fasi was the best person to run the City & County of Honolulu. He always did his best to treat everyone equally and fairly.

Joseph M. Amici
Hammonton, N.J.
Via the Internet

N. Ireland wants to be part of Great Britain

I'd like to respond to Hilary Kelly's Aug. 4 letter, "English trying to rule Ireland." Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because the majority of the people living there have voted for maintaining the union with Great Britain. This vote has been confirmed many times.

Since 1969, Northern Ireland's soldiers, police officers and general population have been killed, maimed and terrorized. Yet the majority vote remains the same.

This is the democratic process, and those not willing to remain loyal to the crown are free to leave.

Americans are misinformed about Northern Ireland politics and should refrain from sending money to support terrorism.

Edna Mailey
San Diego, Calif.

Punahou lucky to have father-son coaches

Having had the pleasure of working with Kale Ane, I consider him one of the most delightful and kindest individuals I have ever had the opportunity of meeting (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 3, "Buffanblu football runs in family"). Kale, a soft-spoken and humble man, is a loving father and husband.

How wonderful to see him and his father, Charlie, together again at Punahou. They are turning Oahu's sons from young boys into fine men.

Keala Friel-Yuen

Taxpayers, not Clinton, foot disaster bills

The headline on your Aug. 2 Associated Press article on the mainland heat wave read, "Clinton to help those hurt by heat." The headline should have read, "Taxpayers to help those hurt by heat." Please give credit where it is due.

R.D. Greenamyer
Mililani
Via the Internet

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