Midway Island dispute hurts Hawaii

The dispute between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Midway Phoenix Corp. is a lost opportunity for Hawaii businesses. The company reported that more than 100,000 people have gone to Midway Island since it opened to the public in 1996. It also reported that 500 visitors were already booked for this year. What a shameful loss of revenue to the state as all these visitors passed through Honolulu and flew via Aloha airline.

Somewhere along the way, the service lost its view of Midway as a historic site with an exotic location. The service began to focus solely on wildlife. That limited vision was too narrow for the vendor to have the freedom it needed to adjust, expand its operations and become profitable.

The U.S. Department of Interior should shift Midway to an agency that supports public access and comprehends public needs.

Robert Johnston
Former Midway Resident

Unsanitary homeless take over Waikiki

We came to Hawaii for the first time in February 1977, for our 25th wedding anniversary. This was our honeymoon in paradise and we fell in love with Hawaii. We bought a condo in Waikiki and came every winter for three months with our children and sons-in-law. During the first few years, we met many Hawaii residents on the beach in Waikiki. Now we miss them because they do not show up anymore.

During the first 10 years, we did not see too many homeless people on the beach. It has gotten worse in the past 15 years. In 2002, there are daily newcomers to the homeless faces on the beach. It is a disgrace. The tourists complain about the homeless people on the beach and of the stench. When we get a chance to sit down on a bench after the homeless use it to sleep on, it is unsanitary.

After all the money the City and County of Honolulu has spent to beautify Waikiki, it is disgusting to see this problem.

Where has the paradise gone? What does the future hold? Who has the guts to clean up Waikiki?

Harry Wiede
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada

[Quotables] "No. I was just crying." Michelle Kwan U.S. Olympic figure skater, after someone asked if she had a head cold. Kwan had just missed her chance to get a gold medal, earning the bronze instead after falling down during her free-skate program. The always-gracious Kwan was able to hide her disappointment a few minutes later on the podium, smiling and waving as the medals were presented. "I skated for pure enjoyment. That's how I wanted my Olympic moment to be." Sarah Hughes U.S. Olympic figure skater, after winning the gold medal in the women's free-skating program. Hughes surprised everyone, including herself, by beating fellow Americans Kwan, her idol, and Sasha Cohen, as well as Russian skater Irina Slutskaya. Kwan won the bronze medal, Slutskaya took the silver and Cohen placed fourth.

One monopoly is as bad as another

Shame on the Star-Bulletin for the editorial "Losses may justify merger of airlines" (Feb. 18).

The proposed merger of the interisland airlines is only "justified" if you're a participant. The newspaper owes its existence to a readership that rejected the notion that one newspaper was all this town could support. Now you suggest that one airline is all this state can support. Wasn't that one of the arguments that Gannett made when it was trying to monopolize our newspaper market with the Honolulu Advertiser?

Ray Lutz

Enron spells more than trouble

Deciphering Enron as an acronym reveals the writing on the wall:
1. Earth's Natural Resources -- Or Nothing!
2. Executives Nefariously Realize Outrageous Net.
3. Executive Neighs Reinforce Official Nays.
4. Employees Now Retire On Nothing

Rico Leffanta

Arakawa evades responsibility in death

Clyde Arakawa never once accepted any responsibility for his actions in the death of Dana Ambrose.

The jury made the right decision in finding him guilty of manslaughter. As a former police officer, Arakawa should know better than anyone the risk of driving while intoxicated. How could he claim he was a good drinker and not endangering others on the road?

At least now, Ambrose can rest in peace, knowing justice was served.

Arsenio Ramirez Pelayo

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