Watch for assault from Big Oil's PR machine

Congratulations to our lawmakers for creating and passing the gasoline price-cap legislation. If they can make this work, we all will benefit. Even though the lawsuit against the oil companies resulted in a small fraction of what was sought, we found out the truth of how they operate in this state and how incredible their profits are here. Maybe with this legislation we can reap even greater rewards in lower and fair gas prices.

This would be good, but the consumer and our legislators must beware. The oil companies will try to persuade us that this legislation will be bad for the consumer. You now will see gas prices in these islands lower than the mainland to gain our favor. You will hear of their dealers complaining that they will go out of business if this legislation is implemented. The oil companies will send their best lawyers and public-relations experts to fight this legislation.

This state has been a gold mine for the oil companies. They will not easily give that up. You can be sure they will stop at nothing to gain the consumers' favor and trust to stop any control of how they operate in the islands. Consumers and legislators, beware.

File Keliiaa
Waianae

We don't need state interference in prices

Every legislator acknowledged SB2179 (gas price-cap legislation) is flawed. While most of them still voted in favor of it, a significant number saw the wisdom and rejected it.

We consider this legislation to be harmful to our livelihood and an example of good intentions gone wrong. We are opposed to legislation that restricts private business's ability to earn a fair and reasonable profit, and will put some dealers out of business. The two-year delay in implementing the legislation compounds the problem by casting a cloud of uncertainty over our future.

We are convinced that the best way to lower prices of any product or service is for businesses to compete. SB2179 is yet another example of the many disincentives for businesses to invest in Hawaii. There currently are a dozen or more vacant stations available (the former Texaco/Arco sites) that no one seems willing to invest in. That indicates that:

>> Maybe the media hype of excessive profits and gouging are not true.

>> There are other markets in which businesses earn a better return on investment.

>> Hawaii's business climate is such that it does not attract competition.

We urge voters to contact Governor Cayetano and request that he veto this fatally flawed piece of legislation.

Barney Robinson
The Hawaii Coalition of Retail Gasoline Marketers

Mom should've made student wear dress

I just wanted to make what is probably going to be viewed as a sexist comment, but what kind of girl has never worn a dress by the time she was 17 years old ("Maui girl wins right to forget the dress," Star-Bulletin, May 7)?

Did she go to her senior prom? My guess is that if she did, she would have worn a prom dress, as is appropriate for the occasion.

I see nothing wrong with asking students to follow a dress code for graduation. What's next, a boy wanting to wear a dress for graduation?

The girl's mother should have stepped in to put an end to the ridiculous situation and made her daughter wear a dress.

Philip Park
Pearl City

Men's volleyball team had great homecoming

United Airlines showed the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team what they mean by the "Friendly Skies."

In flight, the airline crew congratulated the team for winning the 2002 NCAA National Men's Volleyball Championship and presented it with bottles of champagne. The players shared the champagne with the UH Men's Volleyball Booster Club members by joyfully spraying the boosters to begin their celebration.

We would like to thank the airport duty manager, Malcolm Smith, United Airlines personnel Ben Brennan, Betty Bolton, Jeff Hottendorf, Carol of customer service, Tony Paloso, the airport security staff under the supervision of Eli Walters Sr. and the custodial staff. Within a few hours, they arranged a well-organized welcome home for the team. It was through their combined efforts that the Booster Club members had the privilege of being the first to greet the team.

To the many fans at the airport, we thank you and we appreciated your effort to welcome home the team. The team members thoroughly enjoyed every minute with you.

Basil Sparlin
President
UHMVB Booster Club

Maui's water woes must be reversed

I just read the article on Maui's rapidly dwindling water supply ("Maui's troubled waters," Star-Bulletin, May 12). Bravo to you for publicizing this crisis.

I recently returned from Maui (I am a former resident and visit as often as I can), and after one of the wettest winters in several years I expected to see rushing streams and waterfalls in the Hana district. Not so. I was reminded by my friend where the water goes -- the cane fields, which are no longer a money-making concern, just a holding place for future development.

Shame on Maui County and the state of Hawaii. The residents of Maui must keep after the county and the Legislature to make changes to preserve their rights to fresh water.

Don't give up, Maui. Just because it's "always" been this way doesn't mean it can't change.

Michele Barry
Winthrop, Mass.

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