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Hotel rates keep Hawaii visitors away

As one who would like to travel to Waikiki often, I find that even the off-season rate of $99 a night at some hotels is not a real bargain. If Waikiki hotel operators would offer far more reasonable rates, they could pull themselves out of the economic crisis they have experienced over the past several years.

By keeping their hotels filled to capacity, they could earn extra money on their restaurants, bars and shops. More tourists would also put more money into other Honolulu business coffers.

Maureen O'Neill
San Francisco

Piped up music from sidewalk? Good grief

Jeremy Harris' idea of piped music on a Kuhio beachwalk is silly. People don't come to Hawaii expecting theme park displays. Simply build some small, unobtrusive bandstands along the walkway and hire three-piece combos for sunset gigs.

Not only would live music be framed by the orange horizon, alluring and a part of Hawaii, but then musicians would have some jobs. Get a clue, Mr. Mayor.

Tom Cook

Mahalo for tolerating awestruck tourists

My husband, our 18-year-old granddaughter and I have just returned to Texas following a visit to your beautiful state. We stayed in Honolulu and Lahaina.

This was my husband's and my 10th visit to Hawaii. We took our granddaughter, who lives in Arkansas, for her high school graduation gift. She loved it!

Our country is so fortunate to have a state with such a rich and unique heritage as yours, in addition to its beauty and the friendliness of the residents. We watched the opening of your Legislature on TV. No other state has more interesting opening ceremonies than Hawaii.

I know tourists like us sometimes get on the nerves of island residents. They probably wish there weren't so many of us. Therefore, we thank you all for welcoming and tolerating us mainland folks, and preserving the customs that make your state so delightful.

In closing, overdevelopment is a real danger to Hawaii. We know -- it's threatening the charming town where we live. Please don't change too much before we get back. I believe Kauai is next up on our schedule.

Barbara and Jesse Barrier
Georgetown, Texas

Quotables "If people have been following my career all these years ,I hope they say, 'Vernon? Oh, he's getting better.'" Vernon Sakata Hawaii journeyman guitarist On his recently released second album, 20 years after his first one and after backing up some the biggest recording artists in the islands "If they can make the H-3 through mountains, why can't they do something here? People shouldn't be stuck in their cars like that." Mamo Kahananui Life-long Nanakuli resident Saying that last week's shutdown of the one road into Waianae because of a hostage/standoff situation shows the dire need for a second route into Leeward Oahu to prevent future traffic jams

Hanauma project should proceed

Please allow me to provide some insight to support our continuing efforts to make reasonable and vital improvements at Hanauma Bay without unnecessary deferrals for greater studies.

Mayor Harris scaled down his original plan in June 1999 to remove the Koko Head tram and all other features that had caused community concerns. The Hanauma Bay Improvement Task Force was formed to help us develop an improvement plan for the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

The task force was a diverse group, led by the president of the all-volunteer Friends of Hanauma Bay. Much of the dialogue was by members of the East Honolulu Community Coalition.

According to the group's final report, "Primary emphasis was given to the opinion of the members of the task force who are not city employees or otherwise directly associated with the project; this reflected the fact that the major purpose of the task force was to elicit input from the community."

It was significant that the task force reached a fundamental agreement that many of the improvements can and should be made NOW at Hanauma Bay. The scientist conducting the carrying capacity study concurred that it was NOT necessary to await the outcome of the study before doing so.

Those who regularly enjoy the bay, especially our wonderful volunteers, eagerly await the benefits that the new plan will bring to this valuable natural resource.

William D. Balfour Jr.
Director of Parks and Recreation
City and County of Honolulu

Rebel flag issue shows GOP's true colors

Everyone knows what the Confederate flag represents, yet our Republican presidential candidates chose not to denounce it.

Unfortunately, our nation has a vast population of voters (not just living in South Carolina) who embrace the modern-day ideals of the Confederate flag that, thank God, so many others find despicable. It's sad that a major party is a haven for people of such thoughts.

Julie Rambo

Sierra Club is suing to protect islands

Some have the mistaken impression that the Sierra Club is against tourism because it has sued to require the Hawaii Tourism Authority to study the impact of tourism on the environment.

On the contrary. The Sierra Club's action demonstrates support for the long-term viability of our primary industry by ensuring that its foundation is preserved. The HTA's "product" is primarily Hawaii's environment.

We must balance the level of our tourism with the islands' capacity to support the industry on an ongoing basis.

Increasing the number of people in Hawaii threatens some of the very things visitors come here to experience. Yet we have little real knowledge about how much of an effect it has, and where the essential balance point is.

An environmental impact statement should help provide a tangible basis to determine this.

Scott Crawford
Kaneohe

Women must get into elected office

I just read Diane Chang's Jan. 24 column on the 17 bright and brave members of the Women's Legislative Caucus. It is important to have a woman's view in the law-making process, especially with her understanding of issues like domestic violence, pay equity, public education and children.

Women have so much insight and understanding. Quite frankly, we care about more things that most men simply write off as being unimportant.

Marilyn Sheffield
Wilmington, N.C.

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