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Don't charge drivers to use the restroom

Recently, state government started charging entrance fees to a popular scenic attraction, Diamond Head. This is easily understandable due to the heavy tourist traffic and need to maintain this attraction and its facilities.

However, is it necessary to charge tour and hospitality drivers whenever they need to use the restroom? These drivers promote our beautiful island every day. Why, then, is it necessary to penalize them for their efforts?

The decision to charge bus and tour drivers for their restroom visits is ludicrous and demoralizing. Diamond Head has long been a "lua stop" for these workers due to its isolated location. The local hospitality industry is deserving of some consideration here.

Conrad Okuma
Pearl City

Water rationing on Oahu isn't foreseen

In response to Nobu Nakamoto's May 26 letter, we wish to assure him and all water customers that the Board of Water Supply is working to ensure that everyone is treated fairly should any mandatory restrictions be imposed.

We have no immediate plans for such restrictions. Our experience has been that Oahu's water users are very responsive to calls for voluntary conservation.

By doing so, they have enabled us to meet all water needs through similar drought conditions with little or no restriction on water use.

We continue to urge everyone to reduce daily water use by 10 percent. The unusually dry weather of the past three winters has left us with less than ideal conditions in our aquifers as we approach the season of highest demand.

Those who would like tips on how to save water may call our community relations office at 527-6126 or our access our Web site at http://www.hbws.org. (http://www.lava.net/bws/)

Clifford S. Jamile
Manager and Chief Engineer
Board of Water Supply
City and County of Honolulu

Vieques appreciates Hawaii's support

I thank Hawaii's Legislature for expressing its solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico by approving a resolution urging the U.S. Navy to stop the bombing of Vieques, an island that 9,300 citizens call home, and to return the land to civilian usage.

We commend your House of Representatives for its bravery in defending us, the underdogs. We face the greatest naval power on the planet in our handicapped condition as the last remaining colony of the United States. Since 1898, Puerto Rico and Hawaii have shared the vissisitudes of life under the Stars and Stripes.

The Navy speaks with a forked tongue. Just today Admiral Green, commander of Roosevelt Roads Naval Station -- and hence Vieques -- assured the media during a press conference that the bombing of Vieques had no negative effects on the environment or on the health of the population.

Ricardo de Soto
Chairman
Fundacion Surfrider de Puerto Rico
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Quotables "I have a strong feeling that the office is not functioning in a professional manner. The fact that we are in June and still don't have a system is unbelievable." Linda Lingle REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRWOMAN Criticizing the state for not yet signing a contract with a company to count ballots for this fall's elections "Byran Uyesugi knew what he was doing was wrong, and he simply did not care." Dr. Michael Welner NEW YORK CITY PSYCHIATRIST Testifying for the prosecution that the man charged with fatally shooting seven Xerox employees last November was suffering from schizophrenia, but that the multiple murder was carried out "in an economical, calm execution style"

Groom's slobby friends spoil wedding ceremony

I couldn't agree more with Jim Delmonte's May 25 letter about the need for people to dress/clean up for functions. Several years ago, when I went to a friend's wedding, I was shocked by several of his pals showing up at the church wearing filthy jeans and T-shirts.

They looked (and smelled) like they had just come from working on their cars. The least they could have done is clean up a bit. When will people realize that, if you want to be accepted by society, you should act a little more like society.

Alan Cummings
Port Angeles, Wash.

Stop the hysteria about marijuana

After reading Rep. Colleen Meyers' May 27 letter, "Marijuana is a threat to our children," I wonder who is profiting from the continued hysteria about and prohibition of a plant that is clearly safer than alcohol or tobacco.

Our children are in far more danger from these prohibitionist thugs than they could ever be from marijuana. All over the U.S., people have their lives destroyed and are even killed in late night raids by these government zealots.

Don't believe the reefer madness propaganda. The greatest danger from smoking marijuana is that our own government will kill you or cage you with violent criminals for choosing a recreational drug safer than the ones being currently taxed and allowed to be sold.

The most beautiful state in the union would be a wonderful place to drive out the ugliness of marijuana prohibition.

Jeff Flanagan
Hinsdale, Ill.

Cruel killer of wildlife must be stopped

Every year a rogue agency called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses tax dollars to kill more than 90,000 animals. A handful of powerful cattle ranchers insist that the killing is necessary to protect livestock.

This agency's methods of predator control are indiscriminate and inhumane: aerial gunning, clubbing, poisoning and steel-jaw leghold traps. These traps kill animals that have never jeopardized livestock, including pups and cubs, endangered species and pets.

Scientific studies indicate that this "protection program" is ineffective in reducing livestock losses. Despite a 46 percent increase in the Wildlife Service's appropriation, and a significant increase in the number of animals killed in the last decade, livestock losses to predators have not declined. In fact, some predator species have responded to the intensive killing by increasing their reproduction.

Congress will soon debate an amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill that would cut funding for wildlife destruction to protect livestock. This is a rare opportunity for public involvement. Ranching interests are fighting hard to continue the killing.

Those who oppose this cruel, wasteful practice should contact their U.S. senators and representatives. Ask them to support the Bob Smith amendment in the Senate and the DeFazio-Bass-Morella amendment in the House to the agriculture appropriations bill.

Richard F. Gartner
Haiku, Maui

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