Measuring any other way is senseless

Concerning the needless and much-reported conflict concerning wave heights ("Surfers lose online resource for accessing wave forecast," Star-Bulletin, Nov. 2):

Wave heights for the purpose of surfing are measured from the lowest point a surfer can ride on the front of the wave to the crest. Any one who wants to measure a wave in other ways or for other purposes are free to do so.

Sen. Fred Hemmings
World Surfing Champion, 1968

Measuring waves should be realistic

I'm sorry to see Pat Caldwell's Web page shut down, as it is a valuable resource for local surfers.

I've felt for years that the local method of understating wave heights is a ridiculous and macho system that has little relationship to reality.

It's hard to realistically estimate wave height from the shore without some type of reference. The simplest and most easily understood way to measure is to look at a surfer carving across a wave face. With his knees bent in normal surfing posture, a rider is normally about five feet from board bottom to the top of his head. How many times have we seen a sportscast of someone at Sunset or Pipeline on a triple overhead wave (3 times 5 feet), and hear the sportscaster describe the surf as 6 to 8 feet?

Understating wave height is a stupid tradition. I vote with Ricky Grigg for reality. Pat, go along with the change -- we need your Web page!

Dave Bigelow
Waimea, Hawaii

Oahu not friendly to wheelchair users

I recently visited Honolulu, where it seems that the Americans with Disabilities Act is being ignored in many places. We called many of your tourist spots before we left the hotel and were assured that they were all wheelchair-accessible.

We went shopping in town; the shops were crowded with goods. The sidewalk ramps led right out into traffic. The Pearl Harbor tour won't take three-wheeled wheelchairs, and the lift was broken. Diamond Head has parking spaces for disabled, but no access to the trails. Restaurants and bars had steps. Dole Pineapple Plantation recently opened a tour train, but can't carry wheelchairs; the maze has gravel ground that wheelchairs will get stuck in.

The Ali'i Kai Catamaran -- accessible, yes, but we couldn't park at the handicapped lift-accessible parking because the buses needed to drop off and pick up in that spot. Not surprising, it is owned by a tour company.

Employees everywhere need sensitivity training. My wheelchair is not something fun. Be thankful you don't have to be treated like we were -- second-class citizens.

Martha Kamens
Fort Collins, Colo.

Wal-Mart preferable to nightclub traffic

Hooray for Wal-Mart! I for one, a Makiki resident, can't wait for the grand opening. I will gladly put up with the noise of cars entering and exiting Wal-Mart, mostly during the day, as opposed to listening to the fights, loud arguments and intoxicated drivers leaving the bars surrounding our neighborhood at all hours of the night. How come there is no one protesting that?

Many of us local people can't afford the high-end boutiques at Ala Moana Center. We need Wal-Mart. It's a good thing for my neighborhood and I hope Wal-Mart won't give up the fight.

Soon Kmart will be gone, and then where will we shop? Are you Makiki residents willing to drive to Mililani? I don't think so. I can guarantee that the people who are protesting the loudest will be the first in line on opening day.

B. Gonsalves
Makiki

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