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Urge state land board to preserve Hanauma

I applaud the Honolulu City Council for its recent support to keep the Ka Iwi Coastline, Golf Courses 5 and 6, free from eventual development. However, one thing deeply troubles me.

What makes two strips of land across from Sandy Beach more worthy of protection from development than the beautiful, open, conservation district nature preserve on the coastline at Hanauma Bay?

Mayor Harris openly supports saving coastal and waterfront areas from development, including the Ka Iwi Coast "from Hanauma Bay to Makapuu," which logically means including Hanauma Bay.

Meanwhile, at the Jan. 24 City Council hearing among others, Councilmen Felix and Holmes proudly expounded on the importance of retaining open spaces on the Ka Iwi Coast with bold words.

Then why did these same men (and basically the same Council) vote to support a huge development at Hanauma Bay, which is clearly a part of the Ka Iwi Coastline, without even considering alternatives?

There simply is no credible justification to forever destroy a large part of this treasured and historical nature preserve.

Protect this natural wonder by calling the state Department of Land and Natural Resources at 587-0400 (or send email to dlnr@pixi.com). Tell the DLNR: "You must preserve Hanauma Bay. Do not approve the city's application for a conservation district use permit to develop the upper coastline."

Please, do this now. Time is running out.

Diane D. Ackerson

Former UH volleyball player wasn't a 'traitor'

This is in response to the Jan. 24 letter from Erin Yamashita about my son, Rick Tune. My husband and I had asked Rick to attend the University of Hawaii after his high school graduation. In exchange, we promised him that he could attend a mainland school if he wanted to pursue a graduate degree.

Rick graduated from the UH with one year of eligibility left. He went to Pepperdine for graduate school and earned his master's degree. Fortunately, he was offered a volleyball scholarship by Pepperdine Coach Marv Dunphy; otherwise, we would not have been able to afford the school's steep tuition plus living expenses. That is the major reason he played for Pepperdine.

Our family is grateful to Coach Mike Wilton for giving Rick his chance to play volleyball. We think his son, Aaron, will be a great assistant volleyball coach for the Warriors. Rick never applied for (nor was he interested in) that position, as he already has a full-time job that he enjoys as a teacher and coach at St. Louis School.

I inferred from Yamashita's letter that she thinks Rick is a "traitor" for playing against the UH. We regret that she feels that way. Rick left with Coach Wilton's blessing.

What's important to remember is that Rick came back home after receiving his degree, is a productive member of our community and continues to give back with a number of service projects. Isn't that what we want of our young people when all is said and done?

Enough said. Let's drop the subject already.

Suelyn Ching Tune
Kailua

Clinton won't ride into the sunset

For better, for worse, Bill Clinton was a clever, effective, productive president, at home and abroad. He was articulate and charismatic, too.

If only his weak moral fiber and character flaws could be overlooked and forgiven. Sadly, as we are gifted with a virtue, oftentimes we are afflicted with a fault.

But wait, be patient and tolerant, as he is not one to ride off into the sunset. We'll be seeing a lot more of Ol' Bill for quite some time to come. He'll be lively, kickin' and fibbin'!

T. Ono
Hilo

Quotables "We are confident that we will be able to defend Hawaiian rights and entitlements." Sherry Broder ATTORNEY FOR THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS On whether OHA will be able to defeat a lawsuit seeking to halt the state from receiving and spending money for programs that exclusively benefit Hawaiians "Tastes like dirt." "Tastes like an unwashed potato." "Tastes like the inside of my shoes." Patrons of Hale Noa ENJOYING THE 'AWA BREW AT THE KAPAHULU BAR Describing the traditional ceremonial drink that dates back to pre-contact Hawaii. Fans say it is healthy, spiritual.

Ewa board members ignore park concerns

I attended recent meetings of both the Waipahu Neighborhood Board and Ewa Neighborhood Board. On their agendas were the same issue: whether to post signs in their neighborhood parks showing the hours that the parks were closed.

The signs assist police as an added tool to keep park activity in check during the early morning hours. The intent is not to stop park usage by law-abiding citizens.

For the Waipahu board, the solution was as simple as putting butter on toast. When the signs went up, they were proven to work. Board members came together to support the concern of a fellow neighbor and resolved the matter swiftly.

As for the Ewa board, it did not matter that the majority testifying were in favor of the signs. Four members voted against their posting near an Ewa by Gentry park, yet none of them live anywhere near the park in question.

Hats off to Waipahu board members for sticking with the issues and listening to their constituents. As for the Ewa members, neighborhood board elections are just around the corner.

Tom Berg
Ewa Beach

Concerns over wild animals are misplaced

For an "animal-rights activist," Cathy Goeggel doesn't seem to know very much about animals (Star-Bulletin, Jan. 22).

Pigeons and doves are no different than feral cats, which plague our parks and commercial areas. When they don't need to search for food, they procreate to take advantage of the bounty.

Overpopulating any area quickly causes health and safety concerns, of which an "animal-rights activist" should be well aware.

Hawaii is paradise. No bird or animal will ever starve to death on Oahu because there is no shortage of natural food.

An "animal-rights activist" should be busy encouraging stores not to sell bird seed, cat food, etc., except to registered pet owners, and actively encourage people to properly dispose of their left-over snacks, plate lunches or other garbage.

Rico Leffanta

Keep Alm on as Hawaii's U.S. attorney

The people of Hawaii would be well served if the new Bush administration would reappoint the Hawaii U.S. attorney, Steven Alm.

Alm has been effective and productive, vigorously bringing many cases to trial that have benefitted our state.

He has deep roots in the community and established excellent working relationships with other agencies, FBI, drug enforcement, local police and his noteworthy Weed and Seed program, which has resulted in a 70 percent drop in crime in those targeted areas.

Although it is customary to replace Democratic with Republican appointees under current circumstances, Bush himself has advocated bipartisan appointments. Recommendation of Alm by local GOP members would benefit our state.

J.M. Wylie

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