Brainstorm! Challenge

---

Makakilo road work is badly coordinated

Your Dec.13 article ("Plan may pave way for new Ewa road") on construction of the North-South road states that it would link Makakilo Drive with Kapolei Parkway, leaving the implication that extension of Makakilo Drive is coming soon. Makakilo's commuters and people contemplating the purchase of homes in Makakilo who have read the article need to know that the short-sighted members of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization's Policy Committee have deferred the extension of Makakilo Drive into the next decade -- or later.

The North-South Road is part of the Transportation Improvement Program for fiscal years 2004-2006; Makakilo Drive, which appeared on the Kapolei Area Long Range Master Plan in 1993, is not. That "committed future roadway" you depict is currently a long way from reality, and "hill" residents will be left with a single outlet as long as developers' needs override those of the residents.

Frank Genadio
Kapolei

'Sunset' event turns plains into parking lot

The next idiot who plans pointless, money-wasting events like the "Sunset on the Plains" circus last weekend that completely snarled traffic in Kapolei should be forced to sit through the resulting traffic jam!

David Jones
Kapolei

Some may not want Lingle's endorsement

Richard Borreca's column, "Lingle could add some zing to BOE election," (Insight, Dec. 7) contained some provocative statements. He suggested that Governor Lingle's endorsement of BOE candidates would be a powerful statement. Maybe, but Lingle's popularity has fallen considerably in the education community. Her endorsement could become undesirable.

Borreca stated that Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen was caught trying to discredit the work done by education reformer William Ouchi, the implication being that Knudsen had done some thing wrong. In my opinion, Knudsen did the right thing. He acted as a whistleblower to try and prevent the dissemination of false information. Knudsen should be commended, not chastised for what he did.

Tom Hansen

Committee chairmen rule like dictators

I wholeheartedly agree with your Dec. 14 editorial in favor of eliminating a Senate rule that allows any conference committee chairman to block legislation. But that editorial doesn't go far enough in calling for reform. Here are some of the other insidious practices permitted under Senate (and House) rules:

1) Members of conference committees are not allowed to speak unless they get approval from their committee chairman.

2) Regular (non-conference) committee chairmen can unilaterally decide not to let a bill get heard, despite strong public demand and support from other members of the committee.

3) If a chairman deigns to let a bill get heard, he or she can decide to not put the bill to a vote, effectively killing it, even if all the testimony favored the bill and members of the committee support it.

4) Chairmen can refuse to allow members of their committee to propose amendments to a bill, or can refuse to put amendments to a vote despite support.

On paper, we have a representative democracy. In practice, we have a representative autocracy, with just a handful of committee chairmen ruling with iron fists.

Jim Henshaw
Kaneohe

How much military can islands endure?

The people of Hawaii must recognize what is being done to Hawaii with the expansion of the military here ("Abercrombie confirms Stryker unit coming to isles," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 16). Politicians who cannot solve our ongoing economic problems bleat about a economic "boon" that expansion brings. What is never talked about is the threat of attack expansion brings with it. Will it all be worth it after an attack? Never happen, you say? Remember Pearl Harbor? Even the military thought that could never happen.

What would be the consequences of a nuclear or biological attack on Hawaii? What would a attack do to our tourist economy? Our environment? What happens to our island lifestyle when we become a fort in the Pacific?

Why is military intervention the only solution for the problems of the world? Does the United States really want solutions, or is it simply trying to dominate the world?

The people of Hawaii must ask these hard questions because it is our lives, lifestyles and environment that are being threatened by military expansion.

Steve Tayama
Waimanalo

Price of paradise is most unappetizing

Honolulu figuratively got egg in its face for finishing as the fourth most expensive place to live in a national survey ("Professional earners pay price of paradise," Star-Bulletin, Dec. 2). Honolulu literally laid an egg, finishing first in having the most expensive electricity, groceries and gasoline.

Egg Foo Young, anyone?

Richard Y. Will
Honolulu

Hawaii sports fans have reasons to smile

I sincerely thank the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team and the Warrior football team for the four months of entertainment, pride, joy and excitement they gave to Hawaii's sports fans.

Let's give volleyball coach Dave Shoji and his team the encouragement to capture the championship. Shoji's pay should be tripled.

And June Jones gave Boise, Idaho, its defeat by means of Jason Whieldon's fortitude. Whieldon should not be replaced as the quarterback of a very potent team. Let justice and common sense prevail.

Bernardo P. Benigno
Mililani

---

BACK TO TOP
|

[ BRAINSTORM! ] What should the city do with the elegant old sewage pump station? It's empty and fading, and now it's taking a beating from all the construction going on around it. The O.G. Traphagen-designed sewage pump station on Ala Moana Boulevard, more than a century old, is a monument to the glory days of municipal architecture, when city fathers took such pride in their community that even a humble sewage station became a landmark structure. Millions of tourists drive by it every year, and it's an embarrassing reminder of how poorly Honolulu treats its historic landmarks. Over the years, dozens of uses and excuses and blue-sky speculations have been suggested for the striking structure. Now we're asking you, Mr. and Mrs. Kimo Q. Publique, what should the city do with the elegant old pump building? Send your ideas and solutions by Jan. 15 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750