We need nonpolluting alternatives to cars

Thanks for your interesting editorial on Feb. 6 about the challenge involved in coming up with a balanced plan to accommodate the popular boat tours of Kauai's ruggedly beautiful Na Pali coast.

The difficulties of trying to serve both residents and thousands of tourists with a single two-lane road along Kauai's scenic north shore reminds me of the ever-increasing traffic jams on Oahu. Both islands need to add new ways for people to get around -- without adding to the pollution and aggravation that often characterize our congested roads and freeways.

Honolulu never has recovered from the loss of its planned HART system 10 years ago. It would have added elegant, elevated, light-rail electric trains, which would not be subject to the frustrations of being caught in the frequent snarl of the traffic below.

For Kauai, I would like to suggest that the state and county consider a ferry service between Lihue and Hanalei Bay to ease the traffic situation on Kuhio Highway.

I would also recommend non-polluting ships with a combination of sails and electric motors driving their propellers. The top deck could be covered with photovoltaic panels to provide solar electricity to power these quiet and efficient vessels.

Wally Bachman

Poll shows paper's bias against Harris

I couldn't help noticing some editorial bias in the front-page Star-Bulletin story on Feb. 6 reporting the results of your latest political poll concerning Jeremy Harris and Linda Lingle.

First, there are the graphs. On the horizontal axis, the survey results are plotted as if there was an equal time between surveys, when in reality four months passed between the January 2001 and the May 2001 surveys, and eight months between the May 2001 and February 2002 surveys. What this does is exaggerate the rate of decline of the Harris numbers.

Further, the discriminating reader will notice that the percentages for the favorable ratings are plotted at about 10 percentage points per inch and the unfavorable ratings at about 5 percentage points per inch. Again, this exaggerates the differences in the unfavorable responses, which actually were quite small.

Then there are the pictures that contrast a "down-in-the-mouth" Harris, who looks like he needs a trip to the orthodontist, to a smiling Lingle, who looks like she has just finished with the orthodontist.

I realize the Star-Bulletin is desperate to sell newspapers; however, intentionally putting this kind of spin on stories is hardly the way to do it.

Don Clegg

[Quotables] "I believe it's more likely for Mr. Arakawa to have a liver that is commonly associated with a liver that metabolizes alcohol faster than slower." Mark Hagadone Defense expert for Clyde Arakawa, the former Honolulu police officer on trial for manslaughter in the death of Dana Ambrose, whose car collided with Arakawa's on Oct. 7, 2000, at the corner of the Pali Highway and School Street. Prosecutors say Arakawa was driving while intoxicated at the time of the accident; the defense says his blood alcohol was under the legal limit. -- "Stealing money is like stealing opportunity for our students." Tara Jones Sixteen-year-old Punahou School student, on the theft of $50,000 in cash raised at the school carnival 10 days ago. The money was to be used for scholarships and financial aid. Police said the theft occurred between midnight and 7 a.m. on Feb. 3.

Surgery should require parental consent

It's insane to say a minor does not need parental consent to have a surgical procedure such as abortion ("Hospitals agency faces suit over abortions for minors," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 2). Parental consent is required for any other operation performed on a minor, yet a minor is free and clear to have an abortion without parental consent.

Abortions hurt the family and the girl involved.

Joseph Sardinha III
Waialua

Ala Wai dredging could be tricky

I guess a change of subject matter might be in order, to get away from cameras and speeding tickets.

The dredging of the Ala Wai Canal should be a routine project, I suppose, whenever they get around to it, and with all factors taken into account.

I was just curious, do they plan to float a barge with a dredger on board, where there's barely enough water to float a canoe? I suppose a mammoth crane could crawl down the Ala Wai and mow down the lamp posts, or work on the opposite side to mow down the lovely new landscaping.

The silt would be transferred to large trucks, which would then disperse the water run-off around town on their way to whenever they are going to dump it.

Just a few thoughts -- after all, we are in Honolulu, famous for advance planning and studies.

John L. Werrill

Persist against dishonest lawyers

Thank you for the special report, "When lawyers go bad" (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 10-12).

For four months, I have been trying to get $2,000 back from a well-known Honolulu lawyer. To do so, I had to file a case in civil court and won two judgments and an order to force the lawyer to pay back the money.

I have yet to receive my money, but the fact that I won in court three times shows me the legal system does work. The people at the service desk at Civil Court were helpful in directing me so that my papers could be filed in a timely manner.

It is empowering to prevail. There are remedies under the law, so don't give up.

Loretta Totton-Dubin

Need for Waahila lines exceeds want for views

Do those who oppose Hawaiian Electric Co.'s Waahila Ridge power lines realize what a major blackout will do in East Honolulu? With no traffic lights, there would be gridlock around Waikiki, McCully and Moiliili; malls and businesses would have to close; and there would be no water service to residents who live on hillsides. HECO would not be responsible for personal and business losses.

There are no alternatives for the Waahila lines. The unstable condition of the soil in Palolo Valley would play havoc on underground lines.

The existing system is more than 30 years old. When was the last time recreational or Hawaiian cultural activities took place on the ridge? The need for this project far exceeds the mere satisfaction of seeing an unspoiled ridge.

Leonard K. Chun

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