Go ahead, senators, apply for Lowell's job

Now that Sens. Bob Hogue and Sam Slom are getting what they wanted -- state Librarian Virginia Lowell's resignation -- I wonder if they will be applying for her position? A few months ago they both thought they could do Lowell's job. Now let's see if they have what it takes to even apply for the position of state librarian.

I know I for one will miss Virginia Lowell, especially for the integrity and professionalism she brought to the job. Through budget cuts and hostile elected officials, Lowell was able to stand her ground and fight for a great library system. She knew a reading room is not what makes a library, and it is partly because of her stand that Kapolei soon will have a fully funded library.

Here is hoping that Washington state treats her better than some of our elected officials did.

Mahalo nui loa, from a grateful library patron.

Michael J. Golojuch Jr.
Makakilo

Someone, please do what's best for Rusti

The orangutan issue is a no-brainer ("Suit challenges primate's relocation," Star-Bulletin, May 21). He's lonely. He needs to be sent to live with others of his kind. We haven't treated Rusti good so far, and some greedy people want to treat him even worse!

Doesn't anyone in power have the interests of this orangutan at heart? Hawaii needs to give Rusti an edible lei, say "aloha" and put him on a plane. Governor Lingle and Mayor Harris should metaphorically pack the orangutan's bags and send him off to live forever in the best orangutan retirement home we can find for him, one with other orangutans and comfortable orangutan amenities! God knows this creature deserves it.

Helen Wells
Moiliili

Japan springs into a cherry-ful season

Thank you very much for the outstanding half-page showing the cherry blossoms in Japan in your May 18 Travel section, headlined "Springtime is cherry blossom time in Japan."

Many Hawaii residents travel to Japan during springtime. Our group of 35 saw the blossoms from Fukuoka in Kyushu island. On the same evening of arrival, we visited food booths on the bank of the Naka River. There the Hawaii people saw their first cherry blossoms. At Kumamoto we drove through a street lined with blossoms blooming on both sides of the street. It was like a cherry blossom tunnel.

Kumamoto Castle also is a must-see spot. During the day, we saw colorful sheets spread under the cherry trees. Someone was there to assure their spot for the evening was secured. During the evening, when the castle was lit up, we saw a different view of sakura and Japanese people partying under the cherry trees.

Traveling north to Tokyo, the cherry blossoms in Osaka, Nara and Kyoto were outstanding. During a lunch stop at Lake Hamana, the place was bursting with full-blooming blossoms.

Finally, the windblown cherry blossom petals blew into our faces at Ueno Park in Tokyo. The pink petals covered the pond like a carpet.

To see the cherry blossoms in Japan, I suggest joining a tour that fits your wishes. Your experience will probably be the highlight of your life. I am certain you will cherish it forever.

Again, thank you for the outstanding cherry blossom picture and the column by Foster King detailing his observations.

Albert Yoshio Matsumoto

Urge congressmen to support voter bill

The foundation of our democracy is the vote of the people. In our last election, the national vote count was incorrectly counted and eventually overridden by a decision of the Supreme Court. It is urgent to the survival of our democracy that every vote have a paper trail.

Not a moment too soon, Rep. Rush Holt has introduced the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2003 to Congress to ensure that every vote is correctly counted, even when computer voting machines are used. I urge Hawaii voters to contact Rep. Neil Abercrombie or Rep. Ed Case (depending on your district) and ask him to sponsor this bill, and to contact friends on the mainland and ask them to request the same of their representatives.

Mahalo nui.

Alicia Bay Laurel
Keaau, Hawaii

'Slower traffic' signs on Pali are ridiculous

During the years and months and weeks that attempts have been made to reduce speeding along the Nuuanu Pali drive, am I the only one who sees irony in several signs posted along the way? They read "Slower Traffic Keep Right." Have you ever seen ANY traffic along there going slower than the posted 35 mph?

Maybe these signs should be removed and the "slower" drivers allowed in any lane. Not only might traffic speed be reduced, but gone would be some of the excessive signage that exists along that length of road.

Peggy McInnis
Kailua

Airlines should lower, not raise, ticket prices

Regarding the recent fare increases by Aloha and Hawaiian airlines: Everyone knows that if you can't sell something for the price you're asking, raise the price and you'll sell more. No wonder you're going under.

Lower the prices, sell more tickets and then gradually raise the fares. But that's common business sense and doesn't apply when you have a monopoly.

John Wert
Mililani