Saudi idea would serve both sides in Mideast

The Saudi proposal for resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict deserves more serious attention than it seems to be getting in the United States ("U.S. Rejoins Mideast Chaos," March 9). It calls for formal recognition and normalization of relations with Israel by the Arab world, in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Palestinian West Bank and Gaza. It cuts to the heart of the 35-year conflict over the land and provides the fundamentals necessary for a secure future for each side.

The conflict has reached a level of criticality extending far beyond Trans-Jordan. The U.S. has sent Gen. Anthony Zinni to advocate implementation of the "Tenet" plan. This plan offers only initial steps, with no final destination. This lack of a comprehensive context, along with the politically unsatisfying Mitchell Report recommendations, has provided only details for contention by radical elements of both sides, leaving the two main, fundamental issues unresolved.

The Saudi proposal gives each side what it needs. It sounds like an offer neither can legitimately refuse.

Andrew Jones

Pahoa

Long-term care plan is economically unsound

In response to the assertion in the March 10 letter by Laura G. Manis, vice chairwoman of the Coalition for Affordable Long Term Care that I am "missing the point" regarding long-term care, I haven't missed it.

This decade-long advocacy of the largest tax increase proposal in Hawaii's history -- $108 million annually to start, from "Family Hope" to "CarePlus" -- makes it important for taxpayers and seniors to learn the facts now.

We can all agree on the need for long-term care, but it is about cost, benefits, choice and implementation.

This tax is only $10 monthly, to start. But it's not economically sound and may run afoul of existing benefit programs.

The governor says, "Long-term care is too complex for the private, voluntary market," arguing that only the state can run it, though we don't know how.

Private market alternatives exist now. The state should provide tax credits allowing families to choose their own solutions. And if this is an "insurance program," show the public the policy.

Sen. Sam Slom

8th District, Aina Haina to Hawaii Kai

[Quotables] "If there's no money for the project, why are they spending their valuable time and effort trying to obtain permits for it?" Sen. Jonathan Chun Wondering why the state Department of Transportation is pressing ahead with plans to redevelop Burns Field on south Kauai. "At the beginning of the season there are more birthing sounds, what naturalists now say are the mothers and babies communicating with each other. These vocalizations are these beautiful, haunting, ethereal minor chords, and at night we hear more long, soulful songs." Dan Sythe Technology executive who Webcasts live whale sounds picked up by underwater microphones near Maui.

Central Oahu can't handle so many homes

Too bad Mayor Harris's plan to protect agriculture came a day late and a lot of prime land short of meeting the future needs of Oahu's residents. Simultaneously with news of his proposal, the Planning Commission voted to allow 24,000 more homes to be built in central Oahu -- nearly twice as much development as provided for in the existing plan.

According to 2000 census figures, central Oahu already exceeds the maximum population called for in the General Plan. Nevertheless, the commission and the city Department of Planning and Permitting ignored testimony and community input on water supply, traffic gridlock, overcrowded schools and the need for concurrency of infrastructure.

Commuters, imagine 25,000 more cars at the H1-H2 merge. Call the mayor and the City Council and say "no" to the Central Oahu Sustainable Communities Plan.

Let Harris know it's time to pay more than lip service to "keeping the county country."

Laura Brown

Mililani

Hawaiian language gives us sense of place

A good way to show respect for our Hawaiian people and culture is to learn some of the Hawaiian language -- one of our state's two official languages. Knowledge of the language will boost your daily enjoyment of life in Hawaii, as many of the words that you read on street signs or hear in conversations and songs will gradually -- or suddenly -- make sense, giving you a fresh sense of place and understanding of the people who first lived in these islands.

The adult continuing education classes in Hawaiian language, taught in the evenings at many of our neighborhood high schools, are excellent places to begin. A fee of $5 will get you 16 lessons in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere. For malihini and kamaaina alike, Hawaii will be more beautiful than ever.

Teresa Hanifin Wong

Overpopulation's effects felt worldwide

John Flanagan's column "Overpopulation threats may be so much shibai" (Talk Story, March 7) inadvertently promotes terror and misery. He believes our planet's current population of six billion is just fine, and that 9.3 billion will be fine, too.

Fittingly, his article appears in the same edition as a story headlined "Island nation's plight drowning in politics." It describes Pacific Island nations drowning as the world warms and the oceans rise -- because there are too many people driving too many cars, flooding the atmosphere with heat-trapping gases that are melting glaciers.

Flanagan cites Japan's stable population as good news while failing to notice that India has more people under age 12 than Japan has people. Is he going to invite a million Indians into his home when they find themselves malnourished on the streets with nowhere to turn? Some two billion people live in abject misery. How much more misery does Flanagan want?

What does he think of those excess billions pushing deeper and deeper into what remains of our forests? Flanagan needs a Third World tour to see that overpopulation is alive in death struggles on countless streets.

Overpopulation is the real terror. Only when every child is wanted will the terror cease.

Howard C. Wiig

Honolulu

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