Hanauma Bay project did not go over budget

There is no truth to the charge that the Marine Education Center and related improvements to the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve were plagued by runaway costs (Letters, Star-Bulletin, Sept. 15). The project came in on budget, and full accounting has been submitted to the City Council.

Taking into consideration the project's size, complexity and significance, it is natural that adjustments had to be made in the course of construction.

Much appreciation goes to the volunteers at the Friends of Hanauma Bay and many project advocates for their support during the planning and design phases of the project. Did we listen to them? Yes. Did they get everything they asked for? No. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to accommodate every need, desire or request.

With the completion of the center and other improvements, we've created a living memorial to one of our island's natural wonders, a place where residents and visitors can learn to respect our fragile marine ecosystem.

Eric Crispin
Deputy director
City Department of Design and Construction

Hanauma Bay now a premiere attraction

The new Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center transforms the popular snorkeling beach to a world-class nature preserve, where interactive exhibits stress the care and protection of Hawaii's delicate ecosystems.

Touch-screen computers show clips of life on the reefs and identify a passing parade of sea life. Exhibits chronicle the creation of the Hawaiian archipelago to music by Na Leo. Outside, a mural depicting sea life doubles as a teaching tool -- it can be touched, written on and wiped off.

The facility overlooks the bay but is not visible from below. A tram paid for by its riders carries visitors to and from the beach. Attendants offer information and guidance both at the center and on the beach.

Best of all, no taxpayer dollars were used in the creation of the facility. The entire $13-million complex was paid for from a $3 fee collected from each adult visitor who was not a Hawaii resident.

Mayor Harris took an existing facility and made it into a premiere attraction, at no cost to the taxpayer. The only thing "fishy" about Hanauma Bay is the marine life that inhabits it.

Rick Egged
President, Waikiki Improvement Association

Artist recreated what vandals had destroyed

On the evening of Sept. 12, Kailua Intermediate School was hit hard by cowards who came under cover of darkness and melted away with the coming dawn. The next morning revealed the damage. The vandals had spray-painted graffiti on almost every door, window and corridor in the school. Included in this senseless damage was a beautiful mural of Kailua Beach, donated by Ron Artis.

On the following Sunday morning, Artis was back at the school to see if the mural could be repaired. This talented individual not only repaired his work of art, but improved it.

The staff and students of Kailua Intermediate are grateful to Artis for sharing his talent.

Michael Sakata
Custodian
Kailua Intermediate School

'One nation, under The Big Giant Head ...'

The article by the Rev. Ron Arnold titled "Separation of church and state is a myth" (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 14) deserves comment. First, separation of church and state is not a myth, because the U.S. Supreme Court says it is not. The Supreme Court has the responsibility to determine what the Constitution means. The framers of the Constitution realized time would change our society and gave the court the duty to reflect that change.

As far as "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, I was in school when that phrase was added. I thought it was inappropriate then and I think it is inappropriate now.

Arnold should put himself in the shoes of a non-believer. Suppose that the God of the Bible was not the majority deity in our society and his children had to say "under The Big Giant Head" (thanks to television's "3rd Rock from the Sun") instead of "under God"? Would he feel justified in going to court to have "under The Big Giant Head" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance? Does the majority religion(s) have the right to force its deity on others?

Otto Cleveland
Pearl City

Alternative number for police makes sense

A simple call to the Honolulu Police Department will tell you that the heavy 911 traffic stems from the department's policy on whom to call for any and all complaints. You go through the phone listing under the City and County's HPD heading and you find nothing regarding non-emergencies. When you call the 24-hour dispatch, they tell you to call 911 even though it's not a major issue.

The 311 number is an excellent idea whose time has come. The 911 line should be reserved for immediate life-threatening emergencies.

Craig Watanabe

Story on Mink's health was misleading

The front-page article "Mink's health becomes an issue" (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 19) is misleading, troubling and irresponsible.

The article implies that the governor -- alongside Rep. Patsy Mink's political opponent, Republican Bob McDermott -- was urging the Mink family to release information about her health.

This is not the case.

On Sept. 18, McDermott told members of the media that the public deserves to know more about Mink's condition. News reporters then gathered at Governor Cayetano's office, where he was holding a public ceremony, and asked him to respond to McDermott's remarks.

The governor said he believed more information should be released because there were many people pulling and praying for Mink's recovery. However, the governor said that ultimately the choice as to how much information is released belongs to Mink's family.

The Star-Bulletin story -- along with the governor's photo -- gave the impression that it was the governor, not McDermott, who demanded more information. In fact, the only mention of McDermott was far back in the story, buried on page A9. While a story headlining the governor may make for better copy, it is misleading.

Like many of Hawaii's people, the governor is concerned about one thing: Mink's recovery. To publish a story that gives the impression that the governor, along with Mink's Republican opponent, was demanding information is inaccurate and irresponsible.

Cedric Yamanaka
Press secretary
Office of the Governor

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