City finally sees gravity of falling rock problem

These days the press is full of news of the efforts to protect traffic from falling rocks on the Makapuu road.

This amuses me.

In the summer of 1936, shortly before my 18th birthday, I was riding my motorcycle to the Makapuu surfing beach. As I rounded the corner, the pali on the left and the beach on the right, my front wheel struck a small boulder, perhaps a foot in diameter, and my bike was thrown into the wall on the right. I was badly injured. I lay on the wall for a long time (heavy traffic was not a problem in those days) before I was finally taken to Queen's hospital where I spent an uncomfortable six weeks recovering.

Now, 66 years later (I am a healthy 84), the falling rock threat is finally being addressed. Truly, the wheels of government grind slowly.

Clinton Basler

Lingle will change economic thinking

Winston Churchill wrote: "We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

Linda Lingle's victory in the governor's race will bring an economic philosophy based on productivity rather than dependence on government and taxation.

Bill Pfeil

Veggie prison could deter crime

Looks like Gov.-elect Linda Lingle's idea for a vegetarian prison on the Big Island may deter crimes ("Hawaii diet doctor spurs new approach on prisons," Star-Bulletin, Nov.14). Who would want to risk committing a crime and be forced to become a vegetarian?

Liberal punishment is brutal. If it doesn't work, instead of Hawaii being No. 3 in overall crime in America, we can become No. 1 in overall crime.

Ronald L. Edmiston

New leaders' first job must be economy

Now that we have made our choices at the polls, the elected officials and the new administration must as their first order of business grapple with the unhealthy state of our economy, especially in the private sector.

The number of bankruptcies and unemployed is intolerable. Many businesses have shut down or are on the verge of closing for the lack of consumers. Legislators must now work with the governor to create new businesses that will in turn create employment.

Some of the projects that Governor Cayetano started are considered good for the economy and should be continued. We need to make some significant changes that will encourage businesses to prosper without undue interference from bureaucratic requirements. Legislators must listen to the new governor's plans and determine whether they are beneficials to the majority of the people.

Let's not let the unions dictate policy beneficial to only their members. They can submit their wish list when the economy improves.

Toshio Chinen
Pearl City

Push to build prison seems strange

Hmmm. Bricks, cement, bulldozers, caterpillars, backhoes, wood, nails. Plumbers, carpenters, roofers, contractors, architects, surveyors. Money, money, money.

And with 14 days left, Governor Cayetano, after four years of negotiations, simply has to get that prison built.

I don't work in a fishmarket, but it smells familiar to me.

John Werrill

Let's ask tyrants to be less tyrannical

This is in response to the Nov. 13 letter, "Female leaders more aware of war's dangers" from four female professors.

Perhaps they also could pen a letter to a team of tyrants: Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong Il. The ladies could urge these men to each adopt teams of female lieutenants.

Perhaps those new leaders could create a wiser, more temperate, less violent role for terrorists in world affairs.

Jeffrey P. Tillson

Patrons stay loyal despite road closure

Mahalo to everyone, and especially our friends in Waimanalo, for their continued support of our businesses during this time of the Makapuu road closure. We really appreciate your patronage.

This thank you comes from the staff at Mel's Market, Naturally Hawaiian Gallery and Naturally Hawaiian Lunchwagon.

Judy Mick
Naturally Hawaiian Lunchwagon

Prayer is a matter of freedom of choice

Once again Mitch Kahle is speaking against the right to worship in his efforts to remove "God" from government ("Council invocation is challenged," Star-Bulletin, Nov. 12). People in general need to study not just the U.S. Constitution but the amendments that go with it.

Let's put it on the agenda; let's have the voters decide. Or is Kahle afraid he would lose that battle? Let's be American about this whole thing. Where is the freedom of choice? You don't have to say the prayer, but if you want to, you can. It's as simple as that.

Leland Cadoy

'Waikiki wall' is long enough already

A high-rise at Point Panic?

Oh, please, please, please! Don't let the Hawaii Community Development Commission set a precedent. Another waterfront high rise would be the beginning of another waterfront wall.

Waikiki is a negative example to the whole world as to how not to develop a beachfront. There was a time when one could drive along Kalakaua Avenue and see the beach.

We must not extend the "Waikiki wall" any farther towards Aloha Tower.

An aquarium akin to the one in Monterey, Calif., would be a wonderful asset for Kakaako and the state. But let it be an asset to its site, rather than an insult to the environment.

Beverly Kai

Resort developer must honor agreement

Your Nov. 8 editorial rang the alarm bell. The developer at Ko Olina should not be given zoning plums until it files the public access easement document agreed to 16 years ago. Thank goodness Councilmen Bainum, Holmes and Yoshimura spoke up at the Council meeting Nov. 13 and called for the developer to so perform.

Unrestricted access to the shoreline is the patrimony and heritage of all citizens as guaranteed in law and Constitution. How long must we wait?

City Council members and bureaucrats do your duty owed to the public.

William Reese Liggett

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