Condemnation threat ruined property deal

I'm dismayed at the logic used in your Aug. 27 editorial arguing in favor of the Outrigger condemnation. Basically, you argued that since the landowners sold their land to Outrigger without the condemnation actually occurring, the landowners must have gotten "fair market value."

No blood, no foul -- the City Council acted in the public interest.

Last time I checked, "fair market value" is the price agreed upon by a willing buyer and a willing seller. If either party is coerced, it's not fair market value. Under condemnation, if the property owner rejects the price the government dictates, then policemen arrive on the property and eject the owners, jailing them if they resist.

Let's personalize it a bit: Suppose Uzi-toting minions showed up at your doorstep, put their guns to your temple and told you to sell your house for one dollar or they would shoot you. If you signed without bloodshed, would you have gotten fair market value because the threat wasn't carried out? Would you feel justice had been done?

Do we really want to condone a legal precedent where anyone who bribes the right politicians with sufficient campaign contributions can buy your land at below-market prices?

Jim Henshaw
Kailua

Outrigger's tactic put guns to owners' heads

Your Aug. 27 editorial said that the owners finally came to their senses and came to the bargaining table to sell their land to Outrigger Enterprises. They had no choice, since they had a loaded gun pointed at their heads.

These people cannot be criticized simply because they made wise investments in years past. If Outrigger wants the property, then they should pay the owners the asking price or try to negotiate. Running to the City Council crying foul is not the proper resolution. The Council's decision will only encourage others to try the same tactic.

Do you think I could get the City Council to condemn a house I have my eye on so I can get it for a lower price? The current owner's asking price is fouling up my plans.

Bill Nelson
Haleiwa

Lottery is a political shell game

Johnny Carson used to quip, "According to statistics, it's a lot easier to get hit by lightning than to win a lottery jackpot. The good side: You don't hear from your relatives."

Some call lotteries a game for the arithmetically challenged -- a "tax on stupidity." Powerball chances might be 80 million to one. Players get big eyes when they see a $250 million jackpot, but forget the thousands who have been enticed into losing. The stubborn fact of the gambling business is that almost everybody loses.

Philip J. Cook and Charles T. Clotfolter of Duke University have shown in their research for the bipartisan National Gambling Impact Study Commission Final Report: "While earmarking (for education) might be an excellent device for engendering political support for a lottery, there is reason to doubt if earmarked lottery revenues have the effect of increasing funds available for the specified purpose." Earmarking in most cases has "little effect on the pattern and level of state spending."

"There is a pattern," says Robert Goodman in "The Luck Business." "A state has economic problems, often due to recession, and introduces gambling. ... Gambling revenues climb, then taper off, flatten out, and decline. At that point the state introduces some other forms of gambling. ... The government's revenue stream comes to depend more and more on problem gamblers."

We should heed Sen. Dan Inouye's counsel that gambling is the worst thing that could happen in Hawaii.

Robert T. Bobilin
Emeritus professor
University of Hawaii, Manoa

State improved safety at Fort Weaver Road

I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and Rep. Willie Espero for improving the safety of Fort Weaver Road. Last year a dangerous situation was created at its intersection with Kolowaka Drive. Fort Weaver Road was widened to three lanes, plus turning and merge lanes on both directions. This was a first step to the future widening of the entire length of the road, but it created a dangerous situation.

The configuration of the intersection created a short third lane. Some impatient and inconsiderate drivers used this lane to bypass traffic by flying past the other two lanes. This not only created a safety hazard, it also created a bottleneck when these motorists had to merge back into traffic.

Espero listened to the concerns of the public. He orchestrated a meeting where concerned residents expressed their views to members of the DOT, which acted to alleviate the hazard at the intersection. The third lane has been painted and paddlemarkers have been installed to prevent the lane from being used by impatient motorists. It has been configured to allow the efficient flow of TheBus, while eliminating the danger from those who used it to bypass the other lanes with no regard for anyone's safety.

When the eventual widening of Fort Weaver Road is completed, the lane can be reopened.

Jim Hammonds
Ewa Beach

Clinton would offer titillating TV talk

I like the idea of a late-night talk show hosted by Bill Clinton (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 24). There would surely be something for everyone.

He could start the evening with his Monica Monologues, followed by the latest Paula Jones Industrial Average. Clinton could dispense homey tips on cultivating Flowers, or how to survive wild Whitewater adventures. He would be awesome and credible reviewing movies such as "In the Bedroom" or "Unfaithful."

Think of all the rich and infamous guests he could interview on his show. The possibilities are endless for him to surpass even the legendary Johnny Carson. Of the top 10 reasons for watching Late Night with Bill Clinton, No. 1 clearly would be: "Because in these scary times we need someone larger than life to poke fun and laugh at."

And now, heeeeeere's Bill!

Wanda Kulamanu Ellis Au

Family wrong to sue for young man's error

There is only one thing that could have saved Daniel Dick from the Halona Blowhole: himself ("Blowhole death brings suit against city, state," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 14).

Even if there were tons of warning signs all over the place, the results still would have been the same. He would've ignored the signs, just like he ignored the bystander who told him, "Don't do that."

Only he could have saved himself. If he had any common sense and had decided that straddling what amounts to a small geyser was stupid, he would be alive today. If he had listened to the living, breathing, human warning sign that told him not to do it, he would be alive today. If he hadn't tried to impress the girls, he would be alive today.

To the family of Daniel Dick: His death is a tragedy, and the people of Hawaii share in your loss, but don't try to make money off of his death. If putting up more warning signs makes you feel better, fine, but to put a price on his death is just not right.

If there is any fault in this tragedy, it is his.

Fletcher Young

Case now understands Hawaiian issues

In fairness to Ed Case, I would like to set the record straight.

Many Hawaiians believe Ed Case is anti-Hawaiian. In 1998, Rep. Ed Case, then chairman of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, introduced the Hawaiian Autonomy Bill, merging OHA and DHHL, which caused an uproar within the Hawaiian community.

The media, especially the television stations, reported only that segment of a hundred of Hawaiians, led by Mililani Trask, storming the state Capitol to protest the autonomy bill; but the succession of dramatic events that followed was not adequately reported.

Now I present the rest of the story. After more than 10 hours of hearing, listening to everyone who wished to testify, Ed Case killed the bill, saying, "I made a mistake. I should have consulted the Hawaiian community first, and I will never make the same mistake again."

Several weeks ago, Case spoke to several hundred Hawaiians in Hilo. Mililani Trask again faced him, but this time as a guest speaker in support of his candidacy for governor. Yes, this same Hawaiian told the mesmerized gathering that it was she who led the demonstration to the state Capitol, but today she admires and supports him because he is accountable, and when there is a disagreement and he is wrong, he'll admit it and he will not side-step issues, and he understands Hawaiian issues more than any other candidate.

To me, he is the only candidate addressing the tough Hawaiian issues with solutions.

Rose Manuia-Kuamoo
Hilo, Hawaii

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