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City is wasting money on Hanauma project

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has informed me that, as a Hawaiian, I have no standing in the decision involving the ultimate destruction of the natural beauty of Hanauma Bay.

The city has made a decision that it will build, on the view cliffs of Hanauma Bay, a structure that will house an office for the management of the Ka Iwi Coast, a restroom/locker room for the friends of Hanauma Bay, a restaurant, gift shop, small Bishop Museum display room and, oh yes, a room primarily for educating the users of the bay.

Is this what we intend for our beautiful beaches? We've destroyed Waikiki, so is Hanauma Bay next? Then where?

In an attempt to hide this 11,000-square-foot building, the city is going to cover this area with dirt and plant grass on it. Of course, a fence will have to be put up so people won't climb the berm.

Can you imagine the city maintaining the grass on this berm? It has trouble maintaining the lawn at City Hall!

The cost figure, according to the city, is about $11 million. This is shibai, as the actual cost, including interest, could well approach the $23-million range.

Is this the best use of our city funds? We must loudly voice our opposition.

Roy L. Benham

World Court involved in sovereignty issue

The failure of the Akaka Bill to pass the U.S. Senate is now allowing Hawaiians to focus on what is happening internationally.

The challenge at the World Court's Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, Netherlands, by a Hawaiian subject of the Kingdom of Hawaii this month, will determine whether the United States is illegally occupying the Hawaiian Islands, which many sovereignists claim is still an independent and sovereign nation state under international law.

Should the decision of the World Court be favorable to the Hawaiian nation, a Pandora's box of political chaos will result that will make the efforts of Freddy Rice, Sen. Daniel Akaka and the Department of the Interior seem like playing pattycake.

Rod Ferreira
Kamuela, Hawaii

Quotables "I just wanted a business where we could all work together and that would support us all. And it went really well, for a little while." Mary Ann Shipley OWNER OF THE CLOSED SHIPLEY'S RESTAURANT AND ALE HOUSE On the closing of the family-run Manoa restaurant that became a haven for both new and established musicians who engaged in casual jam sessions "Most certainly they do transport between here and the outer islands, and ... to the mainland, because a lot of...states have total prohibition against fireworks." Joe Guyton HONOLULU AIRPORT SECURITY COORDINATOR Explaining that transporting fireworks aboard aircraft is illegal and security measures will be tight at the airport through the New Year's holiday

Cruise ship casino should be permitted

Gamblers by the thousands leave these shores every week to try their luck in Las Vegas, Reno and as far as Atlantic City, with a good percentage surrendering their paychecks or bonuses to these places.

Thereby, these Hawaii residents are suffering the same supposed consequences of family upheaval, financial ruin, bankruptcy, etc., as if they had gambled here.

So who's gaining at our expense? And why are people like Sen. Daniel Inouye so adamant about no gambling at home?

Perhaps Inouye should spend more time here, before proposing such long-distance, loony legislation such as the following: All foreign ships visiting Hawaii are barred from having casinos aboard, which coincidentally gives American Hawaii Cruises a monopoly in the islands for the next 25 years.

What's the big deal if foreign ships want to come here and base their ships in competition with American Hawaii Cruises? Isn't that the American way, or is it the old-boy Hawaiian Network all the way up to the Senate, keeping us in the economic doldrums?

John L. Werrill

Helpful suggestions to city are ignored

I recently made a suggestion to the mayor's office, one which I thought was reasonable and helpful to a variety of individuals.

It all began on one of my trips downtown. I ended up in the underground city parking structure on Beretania Street across from the Board of Water Supply.

As I struggled to hold onto a number of items in my left hand, I managed to remove my wallet with my right hand and then, without losing other bills, single-handedly removed a dollar and inserted it into the parking meter.

Oops, wrong way! Turn it around and reinsert. Oops, folded corner! Try to unfold it. OK, one bill accepted. Repeat the cycle with a second dollar bill, while offering apologetic glances to those queued up behind me, as the other pay station was out of order. What's wrong with this picture, I asked myself?

I called the mayor's suggestion line to propose that a shelf or bench be placed at the pay stations in the parking garage to allow us to put down our items and perform this parking payment task with two hands. I received nothing but excuses as to why my request could not be fulfilled.

Incredulously, I thought to myself, "And I have two good hands. What about those who aren't so fortunate? How must they manage?"

This episode makes me miss the days of Mayor Fasi; then the remedy would have been in place in a Connecticut minute. Perhaps Mayor Harris ought to send some of his worker bees to the University of Hawaii public administration program so they can sharpen their administrative skills and realize their public mission.

William King

Stranded passengers should be more grateful

I was appalled at the selfish behavior of the 44 Honolulu-bound travelers on the Hawaiian Airlines flight who were "stranded" in Seattle. So they missed out on Christmas dinner and opening gifts. They also lost the whole meaning of Christmas.

Were they so caught up in the holiday commercial hype that they forgot what the celebration is all about?

Did they ever stop to thank Hawaiian Airlines for giving them free hotel rooms and meals in Seattle, or the $200 and free-round trip ticket apiece?

Would they rather have taken the plane and had a disaster happen?

To them I say, be thankful that you are able to travel and have money to spend to visit friends and relatives or go on a vacation. There are so many out there who have nothing.

Susanne Watson
Aiea

Medical marijuana users will proliferate

It's going to be funny to see the number of people who have the need for "medical" marijuana.

"So, what are you taking medical marijuana for?"

(Big puff. Cough. Cough.) "Brada, dis some good buds! What you said?"

"I said why do you need to take medical marijuana?"

"Uhhh...ahhh...I fo'get. Oh yeah, I get one pain in my eye. Yeah, dat's da ticket." (Big toke.)

Nick Kiefer
Ewa Beach

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