Merger will benefit only the airlines

It seems the merger of Hawaii's two interisland carriers is not the best solution, in the long run, for Hawaii's travelers.

Initially it may benefit both airlines, but down the road, with one company monopolizing interisland travel, the prices are going to be driven up to a point where Hawaii travelers are going to suffer.

If the state was going to step in to help, it should have figured out a way to help both of the airlines by giving them equal playing ground while keeping competition in place.

Now, with no competition, the consumer is forced to bite the bullet again. Even with a two-year price freeze by the new company, Aloha Holdings, ticket prices will skyrocket eventually. The state needs to think long term and help to protect the consumer, not just big business.

J.Y. Matsuo

[Quotables] "It is significant. Anyone who buys or consumes alcohol will be impacted. From our standpoint, alcohol is a luxury and if we had to raise money anywhere, that is a good place to do it." Gov. Ben Cayetano On his proposal to double the state liquor tax next year. The tax would add almost 9 cents to every bottle of beer, $1.20 to a fifth of liquor and 53 cents to a quart of wine. "We don't know when the last wild nene on Molokai disappeared, but it was probably more than 100 years ago." Jack Spruance Puu O Hoku Ranch manager, on the release of 10 wild nene on Molokai. The birds will roam the ranch's property under an agreement approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

No "Lite" life in Kaneohe for columnist

I feel sorry for Charley Memminger (Honolulu Lite, Dec. 19). Why does he continue to live in Kaneohe? He not only has to deal with flying cockroaches, but the stench of something the size of a dead horse inside his walls.

My friend who lives in Kailua told me about centipedes that crawl onto her bed and sometimes bite her boyfriend. She tried poison bait, but it seemed to attract more of them.

On top of it all, drivers on the Pali Highway have to watch for moss slicks.

Give me Foster Village any day. I kiss the ground and give thanks to God that I live far away from that insanity.

Glenda Chung Hinchey

Legislators should approve gambling

We've done little to improve our economy in the past several years. In fact, some politicians have proposed anti-business legislation, such as banning shipboard gambling and smoking in restaurants.

Legislators should be brainstorming on ways to improve our economy by supporting business and creating jobs. Forty-eight out of 50 states have some form of legalized gambling. Let the voices of the people be heard. Let's not be governed by a vocal minority.

Toshio Chinen
Pearl City

25 mph limit exists for good reason

Bart Mathias' letter to the editor mentioned the 25 mph speed limit on the Pali on the hill approaching Castle Medical Center (Letters, Dec. 19). He thinks it's too slow.

The residents and visitors to the Olomana subdivision, along with the Olomana Community Association, would strongly disagree with him. The 25 mph limit is there for a good reason. Uluhala Street connects to the road just above the hill and is a heavily used outlet for the subdivision.

The speed demons make it an extremely dangerous location for all concerned.

Slow down. Save a life, possibly your own.

Debbie Stelmach
Kailua

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