Take all precautions at Sacred Falls

Fine, reopen Sacred Falls (Star-Bulletin, March 4) but each and every guest -- local and visitor -- should have to sign a release saying that neither they nor any of their friends, family, acquaintances or other "interested parties" will sue the state if they are hurt or killed during their visit. Even something as minor as a bug bite or splinter must be covered.

It also should include an acknowledgement that the guest is solely and completely responsible for any costs incurred by the state should they become injured, lost or killed. Then the disclaimer must be previewed by every trial lawyer in Hawaii, who must sign off on it, approving the format, wording and technical soundness of the document. Then we must find a permanent source of funding for the 24-hour guard, a building to house the guard, training and equipment for the guard, regular trail maintenance, regular and rigorous water quality testing and so on.

Finally, before opening the gates we should post large and completely unambiguous signs that would completely indemnify the state from all claims resulting from use. The same restrictions should apply to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs).

Brenda Char
Kaneohe

Military should move training to mainland

Military officials say that Makua Valley is the only place on Oahu that is suitable for live-fire training exercises. While this may be true, why haven't they considered using the numerous other facilities nationwide that would be more appropriate for this type of training? Soldiers commonly leave their home bases for 30 days at a time for field training at short notice, and this would surely end the controversy.

There are military bases in California, Nevada and Eastern Oregon that are arid and barren, where live-fire training is done without harmful environmental effects. Besides, if our soldiers are preparing for combat in the Middle East and Central Asia, wouldn't it make more tactical sense to train them in a desert climate?

But the military doesn't want to be bogged down with the "logistics" of relocation. They'd apparently rather waste the money dragging this case through court, to fight for their right to bomb artifacts and endangered plants in the name of national security.

Marie Tutko
Mililani

Kuhio Avenue work endangers bicyclists

I noticed in Monday's article about the construction on Kuhio Avenue the conspicuous absence of reference to bike lanes. The article went on and on about how businesses will be hurt and how businesses will have to change their routines, but what about the bicyclists? The sidewalk will be widened and planters put in but at what cost to the safety of bicyclists, who reduce the traffic in Waikiki?

Bicycling on the sidewalk in Waikiki is against the law, and is grounds for a $40 ticket. But where does the city expect us to go when buses, delivery trucks and stretch limousines crowd up the right lane?

Justin Hahn
Honolulu

One can exclude gays but still love them

This is an issue dear to my heart. This is what I truly believe in. I believe in the Federal Marriage Amendment. I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle, but I do not hate homosexuals. I believe one can love the sinner but hate the sin. Yes, I believe that homosexuality is a sin. I do not hate homosexuals.

I believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe in President Bush. I believe in America. I am proud, humbled and most of all thankful to be an American. I pray and hope that we will continue to be able to have freedom of religion as well.

Let freedom ring!

Jody Chun
Honolulu

They all lie, so why can't Stewart?

The conviction of Martha Stewart for lying to government investigators has highlighted a little-known fact: that lying to any government official during formal investigative procedures is a crime, even if you are not under oath or informed of your rights.

Very well, but what's good for the goose should be good for the gander. Why are these same government officials permitted to lie to the general public and to each other (except during rare sessions of sworn testimony) without fear of criminal prosecution?

Governmental lies obstruct a just election as the electorate often does not have facts, only "spin" (as lies are now called), upon which to cast their ballots.

It was surprising when the federal prosecutor in the Martha Stewart case proudly stated, "This proves that no matter who you are that you can't lie to the federal government and get away with it." Did we miss President Clinton's trial for perjury?

Apparently lying about an extramarital affair is the "natural" thing to do, while lying about a crime one didn't even commit is not.

Larry Weis
Aiea