Cloverleaf would ease Makakilo traffic flow

Recent letters have touched on Makakilo traffic problems, particularly the need to plan a second outlet for our rapidly growing community. That outlet, the Makakilo Drive extension to the new north-south interchange, is Project No. E-14 in the Transportation for Oahu Plan 2025 and is budgeted at $8.5 million. While ignoring this much needed-project, state and city officials have prioritized spending more than $70 million on Kapolei transportation improvements during the next two years.

More than 1,800 new homes are planned on the hill during that time, adding several thousand more people to Makakilo's population of 14,000. Perhaps 4,000 more vehicles will be pouring into the Kapolei interchange each day. An extension of Makakilo Drive to a full cloverleaf north-south interchange will not only cut about five miles off the commute for upper Makakilo residents but also will ease the pressure at the Kapolei interchange.

Need funding? Transfer the $8 million budgeted by the Legislature for UH-West Oahu planning, since the University of Hawaii Board of Regents oppose the new campus. The past decade, the state and city ought to do something positive now for the long-neglected residents of Makakilo.

Frank Genadio
Kapolei

Gay bishop does not have marriage option

The short answer to Michael Klimenko's question in his Oct. 16 letter to the editor, "Gay bishop enjoys double standard," is that the Rev. V. Gene Robinson does not live outside matrimony with his male partner by choice. Civil marriage and sanction of such a marriage by the Episcopalian Church are denied to him.

It isn't a double standard that he was elected bishop. It's a small step in the direction of equality and justice for persons with same-gender partners.

Rodney N. Powell
Honolulu

Liberals deny general his free-speech right

Once again the hob-nailed boots of the atheistic-driven liberals are stomping on a private citizen's right to free speech. The target this time in their campaign to drive all things religious from the public is Army Lt. General William Boykin, the Pentagon's deputy undersecretary for intelligence.

While speaking to church gatherings recently, Boykin shared his faith and related the war on terrorism to his religious beliefs. The issue here is not whether everyone agrees with Boykin's comments, but rather whether or not he has the right to make them in exercising his freedom of speech. Not only in this situation, but from the battle over the Ten Commandments to the confirmation of President Bush's judicial nominees, liberal activists seem to believe that when you become a judge, a general or assume any other position of authority, your right to and speak freely about your faith is thrown out the window.

Eventually, liberal activists will have to face the fact that religious expression is not prohibited by the Constitution, it is explicitly protected by the Constitution.

Ironically, just 50 years ago, Gen. Eisenhower was quoted as saying, "Before all else, we seek, upon our common labor as a nation, the blessings of Almighty God." No repercussions then. How far our society has fallen. ACLU, where are you?

James Roller
Mililani

Lawmakers would abuse lottery money

The idea of funding our schools with a lottery has several fatal flaws. The most glaring is that if the lottery generates, say, $40 million for the schools, the Legislature will probably de-fund the schools by the same amount. The net effect is that the schools keep the same pathetic funding -- and the legislators have $40 million to fund their pet pork projects. Can't happen here? It did in California!

We should be teaching our kids about the proper way to live. Funding their educations from the gambling addictions of others is not a good example.

Scratch the idea of a lottery, for schools or any other reason.

William Georgi
Kalaheo

West Oahu only option for some students

I would like to respond to the negative comments about the University of Hawaii-West Oahu by the Board of Regents (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 19). It might not be economically feasible to build a new campus in Kapolei, which I can understand. However, I don't think the idea of providing education for working professionals and distance learning to many people on the neighbor islands is a white elephant.

Several years ago I was a student who could take only night classes because I worked during the day. The Manoa campus was not an option with its extremely limited night class schedule that allowed me to pursue only a small number of majors. I did try attending Manoa, but was frustrated with how long it would have taken to complete the required courses because there were so few courses and they filled up so quickly.

I then found out about West Oahu and how there were more classes scheduled at times that were convenient for people in my situation. I graduated five years ago and do not regret attending. West Oahu is an institution worth saving as an affordable alternative for the nontraditional student.

Ken Souza
Mililani

Median strips will hurt Hawaii Kai businesses

As a lifetime resident of Hawaii Kai, I feel personally violated that the median strips are being built when residents, business owners, community leaders and the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board are against it. Residents and business owners have been voicing their frustration about the median strip construction on Lunalilo Home Road, yet the mayor's office has not responded. I called Mayor Harris on his radio show, which proved to be a waste of time. He said he would call me back and never did.

The median strips are not only unnecessary and costly, they are hampering local businesses by blocking their entrances and exits.

If the mayor would like to beautify Hawaii Kai, he should investigate the excessive development of new homes. One new development on Hawaii Kai Drive blocks our view of the mountains. Its monstrous buildings are practically built on the sidewalk. If Harris wants to build something the community really wants or needs, he should look into a community pool or satellite police station. If the mayor cares about his constituents, he should return their calls.

Susan Amine
Hawaii Kai