Give Kalihi-Palama more consideration

I am concerned with the lack of sensitivity being shown to Kalihi residents over a plan to relocate the Hawaii Paroling Authority's sex-offender office on Waiakamilo Road to Alakea Street.

I applaud the community's opposition to moving this office downtown because such an office does not belong near St. Andrew's Priory, or near any school where kids may be endangered. At the same time, I, Damien High School headmaster Brother Greg O'Donnell and the Kalihi-Palama Community Council were appalled with those who supported a proposal to keep the office in Kalihi. There are several schools near the Waiakamilo site that are within walking distance, namely Kalihi-Kai Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate, and Farrington and Damien high schools.

Kids in Kalihi-Palama do not count any less than kids in other neighborhoods. Time and again Kalihi-Palama has been a dumping ground for what most communities consider to be less-than-desirable social service programs, including prisons, halfway houses and homeless shelters.

The perception that a sex-offender office has no place in Nuuanu or other neighborhoods but is okay in Kalihi is wrong and must end.

Romy M. Cachola

City Council member

Pictorial essay showed photographer's talent

What a superbly succinct pictorial essay Craig Kojima made of Chinatown with his four photographs in the "Hawaii" section of your Jan. 5 issue.

The art of journalism at its best and freshest.

Howard Driver

Inouye correct in opposition to gambling

I applaud the stance taken by Sen. Daniel Inouye in opposing gambling. Inouye, more than anyone else in Hawaii, has seen first hand the impact of gambling on the social welfare of families through his seat on the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs and his visits to Indian nations.

We already have enough crime and vices in our communities without creating more social problems. Having "only" one casino would be just a foot in the door. Gambling would be like a sore or kakio that keeps growing. If you think crystal methamphetamine or "ice" is tearing our communities apart, wait until legalized gambling comes to town.

We need to promote the idea of fair wages for a fair day's work, not getting rich quick, if we are to truly improve our economic situation. Gambling will kill whatever is left of the work ethic.

The real key to improving our economy lies in diversification, including a serious attempt at growing more of our own food and developing an infrastructure for new value-added product development. We all have to eat, but we don't have to gamble our life away at the same time.

Glenn I. Teves
Hoolehua, Molokai

[Quotables] "To call this a kangaroo court would be a disservice to marsupials." William McCorriston Attorney for Mayor Jeremy Harris, on the state Campaign Spending Commission's complaint against Harris, his campaign and several of the campaign's top officers. The complaint accuses Harris of violations related to fund-raising for his 2000 mayoral campaign. "Youth is not absolution for treachery, and personal self-discovery is not an excuse to take up arms against one's country." John Ashcroft U.S. attorney general, on the federal conspiracy charge against John Walker Lindh, the American man accused of fighting with the Taliban against the United States.

Camera van drivers should follow the rules

The state Department of Transportation is providing us with a valuable civics lesson. It is showing us that when petty tyrants are provided with police powers, they turn into dictators.

DOT changes the rules about issuing speeding tickets whenever it feels like it, from "we're not telling how fast you have to be going" to "3-4 mph over the limit" to "10 percent over" to "11 mph over" to "1 mph over."

The latest incident, where one of the Affiliated Computer Systems van drivers was cited, is another example of a state agency abusing its power. Marilyn Kali is quoted as saying, "We will contest the citation." Was the citation issued to her? If it were issued the driver of the van, maybe he or she should contest the citation. Kali acts as if she herself received the citation.

Let's not forget that these van drivers are subject to the same laws we are. This should include not speeding, not parking in a hazardous manner, not reversing on the shoulder lanes, not being parked facing traffic, and if they are parked on the shoulder they should have emergency flashers on.

If this program is really for safety, why are the vans not in areas where and when fatalities are heaviest, instead of where speed limits drop 15-20 mph in less than a tenth of a mile?

Sounds like a money machine to me.

John C. Pinero

Residents stand united against 'photocops'

I would like to present a different point of view from all the negativity in the press regarding the "photocops." In nearly two decades of residency, this is the first time I have seen the general populace of this state band together, without regard to ethnicity, political orientation or social strata, and say, "We're not going to take it any more!"

As the climate toward photo speed enforcement grows closer to civil disobedience, this may serve not only to signal the end to this misguided venture, but also to put the local political arena on notice that this is the end of "business as usual." We do have a voice that can and will be heard if we stand together, and this can only foster positive growth for Hawaii in the future.

Gary L. Greenly, D.O.

Column provided idea for 4-star birthday

My husband and I had not been back to Michel's restaurant at the Colony Surf in almost 20 years when we read Nadine Kam's Oct. 28 Weekly Eater restaurant review regarding the four-star food, ambience, service and value of the restaurant. She convinced us that this was the place to celebrate my 56th birthday.

Thanks to an alert waiter who saw guests wishing me a happy birthday, I received a free chocolate and Grand Marnier souffle with a candle in the center. After everyone sang "Happy Birthday," I blew out the candle.

My wish? To return to Michel's real soon.

Glenda Chung Hinchey

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