'Public good' is farce used to condemn land

Tourism, the fuel that runs Hawaii's economic engine, is faltering. Some say it is caused by Sept. 11. Others say it was coming anyway with the Japanese economy in the doldrums and only hastened by the atrocity. We need a stimulus and here is an idea: We need to find an entrepreneur who will build a magnificent tower on the top of Kaonohi Ridge.

Done right, that beautiful observation tower should draw tourists like flies to honey. The view of Pearl Harbor and the surrounding area will be spectacular and unforgettable. Based on the Star-Bulletin editorial of Feb. 24 in favor of land condemnation "to serve the public good," there should be no problem seizing the necessary property and accomplishing rezoning.

Besides, one of our own City Council members, who is in favor of the condemnation of Waikiki, owns and lives right there. Councilman Gary Okino should welcome the loss of his land by force and extortion because it will serve the public good.

Would it be possible to name the attraction "Okino's Outlook?"

Richard Rowland
President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Outrigger plan won't improve Waikiki

Under the ruse of "improving Waikiki," the City Council is using threat of condemnation to force Outrigger Enterprises' neighbor landlords to sell their hand to Outrigger. This is setting another dangerous precedent in the long history of the rich and powerful using politicians to do their dirty work for them under some public-spirited subterfuge.

How is Waikiki going to be improved by eliminating streets, parking and vehicular access in the Lewers-Kalia-Beachwalk-Saratoga area? How is transferring traffic to and causing more congestion in the rest of Waikiki improving Waikiki?

How is changing existing business emphasis in that area from entertainment and recreation to retailing going to improve Waikiki? Does Waikiki need another shopping mall, be it pedestrian or otherwise? Does Waikiki need another clique of high-end boutiques swallowing up venues? On the other hand does Waikiki need another International Marketplace dotted with countless shopping stalls filled with Asian-made trinkets?

Someone, be it the governor, the Legislature or just anyone, has to put an end to the Great Mahele of Lewers and the old corporate bromides: "What's good for Outrigger is good for the economy and the people" and "some of the benefits will eventually trickle down to the people."

Richard Y. Will

[Quotables] "First and foremost, our responsibility's the protection of the citizenry." Joe Souki Hawaii House Transportation Committee chairman, in support of changing the traffic camera project instead of repealing it. "If you walk through the forest, you see a big hollow in the koa stand. You can even see it from the air. A koa stand is like a breath of fresh air. And when you see it cut down, it's like life has been taken." John Holley Officer in the state Division of Conservation and Enforcement, investigating the theft of koa trees from state forests.

More police is better investment

What a nice few days of driving it was when the traffic cameras were removed from the roadways. During my several trips across Oahu, traffic was flowing smoothly, efficiently and without the dangerous roadblocks produced wherever the camera vans were set up.

Compared to mainland big cities, Hawaii drivers are so mellow it is unbelievable that the Department of Transportation disrupted our safe highway driving environment by setting up a traffic-enforcement business to make money for the state.

Nationally, Hawaii ranks among the top three or four safest states to drive, so we don't have a safety problem as the DOT claims. Additionally, the majority of Hawaii vehicle-related fatalities occur at speeds less than 35 mph, and motorcycles account for 12 percent of the overall total -- neither of those categories are enforced by traffic cameras.

Only cops can provide on-the-spot enforcement and prevent accidents caused by drunken, drugged and reckless drivers. It's time to stop spinning our wheels on cameras and invest in more police. Besides traffic enforcement, they also fight crime.
Ed Aber-Song
Aiea

People want to ban talivans -- now

Regarding legislative efforts to amend the traffic camera system: Enough of the debate on safety or finances. It doesn't matter. This is a government that operates with the consent of the governed -- of, for and by the people. The people have spoken. The speed cams must go.

Greg Knudsen
Hawaii Kai

Judge abused power by dismissing tickets

Since I first read of Judge Russel Nagata's rulings on Feb. 22 dismissing photo-enforcement tickets for those going 10 mph or less above the speed limit, I have wondered why there has not been a public outcry about his usurping of powers belonging to the other branches of government.

First, he has with his ruling in effect raised the speed limits in the state by 10 mph. This is a blatant usurpation of the powers of the Legislature. A judge does not have the power to legislate.

Second, by stating that speed limits cannot be enforced until the driver has exceeded 10 mph above them, he has dictated how the laws should be administered. This is an usurpation of the powers of the executive branch of the government. A judge may rule whether the means of administrating a law by the executive branch is legal, but a judge does not have the power to dictate the actual means of administrating the law.

By dismissing these violations, he is giving the protection of the court to people who are violating the law. The job of the judicial branch is to punish those who break the law, not to tell those who violate the law that they can do so to a certain degree. To me, the ruling is an absolute travesty of the rule of law.

Cless A. McFarland

Kaena Point changes enhance club's trips

Thank you for your Feb. 24 update of recent changes at Kaena Point. My wife and I went on a Sierra Club work trip to Kaena Point last spring and found the work satisfying and rewarding, particularly when the effects of one's work are so visible.

Our experience as volunteers with the Sierra Club at Kaena Point was inspiring, and we would encourage others to participate in work trips like it.

Michael Shultz

---

Letter guidelines The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point on issues of public interest. The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed, must include a mailing address and daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813