Denial of power lines spells disaster

The denial by the Land Board of HECO's Waahila project is sad, not so much because it was denied, but because it shows the complete lack of comprehension by the board members of the need for this project. They obviously were over-stressed by the numerous decisions they had to render during the past weeks.

The critics continually cite the lack of need and the super-reliability of the present system. To me the need is obvious; shut off Pukele Station and you shut off 200,000 residents of East Honolulu. And the probability of a cataclysmic failure? I'm sure HECO's Chuck Freedman described it adequately, but when minds are made up, don't confuse people with facts.

Would you say that a forest fire in the hills is impossible? What are the odds? After all, the existing poles are of wooden construction and more than 30 years old. Would you bet that Oahu will escape the next hurricane and that Kauai will be hit for the third time? Think about it.

I suggest HECO do a test drill: Shut off the two 138 kilovolt lines to Pukele for 30 minutes and see what happens. The liability cost may be worth it.

Leonard K. Chun
Kaimuki

Missile range leader has the right stuff

Regarding the Star-Bulletin's June 26 story, "New missile range leader wades into PR problems":

The headline should have read "New missile range leader has re-established community relations."

Capt. Don Wilson received several rounds of applause and cheers at the community meeting at the Kekaha neighborhood center. Wilson is so well-liked that a petition to keep him at the Pacific Missile Range for a full tour is circulating at the base and in the community.

Richard M. Irwin
Kalaheo, Kauai

McCarthyism inspired change in pledge

Tom Brokaw wrote about "the greatest generation," the men and women who fought for this country in World War II. That generation -- myself included -- grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school every day without the words "under God." We said, "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." That is a good pledge.

The words "under God" were added in 1954, when everyone was terrified of Sen. Joe McCarthy, and fearful people were scrambling to make sure they could not be accused of being Communists. Guilt by association was common. The House UnAmerican Activities Committee was having people blacklisted for being too liberal or having once, even if only out of curiosity, attended a meeting where Communists were in attendance.

Atheists cannot be patriots, right? No, wrong. I know atheists who have done more for the world and for our country than any number of Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons.

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance means I love my country. It should not require me to say I believe in God, because in this country we still believe that a person's religious beliefs are his own business. "I believe in one God" belongs in church, not imposed on every child in school.

Sally Raisbeck
Wailuku, Maui

Who made Bush world dictator?

George Bush stated that he would decide when the people of Palestine will be free. In three years, after the next election? The real answer -- never. He is only giving lip service. Israel will not allow this to happen.

Bush and Secretary of Defense Colin Powell have become lackeys for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. When Israeli soldiers deliberately kill Palestinian women and children, Bush and Powell call it an accident. But when Palestinians kill Israeli children they call them terrorists.

Israel is the reason that America has suffered from terrorist attacks, and this country will suffer many more in the future if we keep backing Israel's fascist government.

Ronald L. Edmiston

Americans do things for themselves

Requiring Castle & Cooke to build a school to service the families of its new Mililani development is good policy for several reasons. The Star-Bulletin's June 14 editorial said that building schools is the state's responsibility and "the company should not be held accountable for poor planning on the part of government."

I disagree. As a community, we do things all the time that we already pay the government to do. We clean our state beaches ourselves as weekend projects. Businesses and community groups adopt state highways and clean them up. We volunteer as aides in our classrooms. We run our own kids' programs at county parks. Waiting for the government to do it has never been big in the American character.

It is painfully obvious to most people in this state that the governor, the Legislature and the Department of Education are incapable of funding and operating a decent public education system.

If development continues at the current pace, the people who buy these homes and the people who already live near the new developments will wait forever for a school in their neighborhood.

Developer-built schools probably will add to the cost of the homes, but it also will give the home buyers and their neighbors added value. If buyers don't like it, they can buy somewhere else.

The market will decide if this is a good idea. Waiting for action by the DOE is a very poor second choice.

John Irons
Lanai City, Lanai

Dods always had strong family values

The limelight has been on Walter Dods since he was encouraged and then declined to run for governor.

Dods earned his millions the honest way -- with no corporate and accounting manipulations. Because he is not a career politician, he would have made a great contribution to the state as we sorely need a fresh and honest countenance, albeit slightly baldy.

His family had the wisdom and good judgment to persuade him not to run. His family came first.

Dods has never forgotten his humble upbringing, and he instilled those family values and hardwork in his children. We remember his son delivering the Star-Bulletin to our doorstep in hilly Makiki Heights every day after school, rain or shine. His bike -- a broken down Schwinn.

M. Kamikawa

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