Police department's 'best' isn't enough

There are times when members of the police department put their lives on the line for the safety of citizens. But there are times when they don't do the common sense thing and then fail to acknowledge this or tell the truth. Now, the evidence is available for all to see right on the front page of the Star-Bulletin (Oct. 31).

The picture of the multiple-vehicle accident on H-1 shows at least three police cars on the site and several of the people standing at the scene look to be police officers. But look again. There are six lanes of traffic backed up and trying to funnel into one or two lanes on the right side. Not one single police officer appears to be helping to guide this mess.

Six lanes of angry people left on their own to make it through the jam is a perfect set-up for even more accidents and it is an extremely inefficient way to get the traffic moving.

HPD has repeatedly been criticized for not getting traffic moving past the scene of an accident and its response has been, "We are doing our best." But is having several officers on the scene and none of them directing the thousands of drivers caught in the traffic "the best" they can do?

James V. Pollock

Japanese artist sings Hawaii's praises

The Shoji Tabuchi show is a must-see if you ever visit Branson, Mo., the "Las Vegas of the Midwest." This talented musician packs his theater with a great show, playing his violin and singing, featuring music from many different areas.

He speaks at great length about what a beautiful state Hawaii is and tells his audience that if they've never been to Hawaii, they must go for a visit. The only problem is, he says, "If you go there, you may not want to leave." Shoji says he loves to fish and play golf when in Hawaii.

Included in his show are hula dancers and songs from Hawaii. He plays his violin and sings "Pearly Shells" and "Aloha Oe." Shoji does a great job of selling Hawaii to his audience.

He is our ambassador in Branson, Mo.

Henry Lau

City liability bill defies islands' evolution

This island is going to continue to self-destruct; rocks will continue to fall; it is the very nature of the islands. Ten million years ago the Waianae range rose to a height of 3 1/2 miles (21,000 feet). What remains is part of the east side of the volcano. The rest is some 30 miles out to sea to the west.

Then, some 8 million years ago, the east range, the Koolaus, rose to a height of 2 1/2 miles (15,000 feet). You can see this is true, because the flows from the Koolaus have filled in the valleys at the base of the Waianaes. The trade winds and rains continued to erode the valleys of both ranges, and then one day in prehistory, the whole east side of the Koolaus and a great portion vanished forever, only to be found a few years ago 35 miles out to sea in 18,000 feet of ocean water.

The falling boulders and the rock slides will continue to rain down upon us. The state Department of Transportation could do well to take a leaf out of Cal-Trans, and see how its ongoing program works to reduce the dangers along the highways in California.

The City Council is just digging itself into a big hole with the measure that is pending concerning liability for falling rocks. They do not come from the homeowner above, but from past his property line, further down the hill, which may be Bishop Estate land, but is usually county watershed land.

Capt. Skip Crawford
U.S. Navy, Retired

Oust those Democrats who voted for war

My fervent hope is that the 29 Democrats in the U.S. Senate who voted for Bush's Iraq war plans will be booted out of office. Wouldn't that be something?

Imagine, not only Sen. Tom Daschle, majority leader, but Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, among 26 other Democratic senators who supported the war- makers. As a lifelong Democrat, I call that truly shameful.

I am very proud of our Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka and Rep. Neil Abercrombie for their "no" votes.

Corrine Goldstick

Real terror exists right here at home

With the recent sniper shootings in the Washington, D.C., area, and only three months since the multiple child murder-abductions, why is President Bush so hell-bent on attacking Iraq?

If there was any doubt that he and his cabinet will attack Iraq with or without world support, doubt no more.

There are so many problems facing America within its borders that launching a military strike and ground war 10,000 miles away is absurd; not to mention the cost to taxpayers of $40 billion upfront!

This Republican administration is hawkish, fearful and spinning tales of nuclear Armageddon to rationalize Bush's penchant to avenge his father's failure in the 1991 Iraqi war.

This invasion is a loser, prohibitively costly, immoral, unnecessary and ridiculous.

The United States has enough problems with 50 percent of the world's people; attacking a sovereign nation we dislike only exacerbates the issue we don't like to look at: Not everyone looks and acts like the USA and never will.

Paul D'Argent
Kihei, Maui

Carter paved the way for return of hostages

Jimmy Carter's hostage crisis in Iran brought everyone home alive. It took time, and they arrived home just after he left office, but it was his negotiations that did it safely, not using guns and gas.

Juel Gustafson

Mahalo for column in Hawaiian language

Thank you very much to the Star-Bulletin for running a column in the Hawaiian language. Finally, Hawaiian has retaken its place in a mainstream newspaper where it once was for more than 100 years.

Please continue to run the Hawaiian articles and support the Hawaiian language.

Keao NeSmith

Hawaiian issues should concern us all

Hawaiian issues should be of concern to all people of these islands. Those people now making decisions on Hawaiian issues don't represent me and the rest of the Hawaiian organizations. Not everyone agrees on the Akaka Bill, including the effect of the wording being used. The Hawaiians should get their act together and perform as a whole unit.

All of us should stand together to be one nation. If you are Americans, then go out and vote.

Lucy M. Akau
Waimanalo

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