Why allow any parking along Ala Wai Canal?

Regarding the story "City has plan for Ala Wai parking" (Star-Bulletin, July 17):

Eliminating a few parking spaces along the Ala Wai is not the answer. Eliminating all of the parking spaces along the Ala Wai is the answer. There is no logic in having a few parked cars impede the movement of many. Let property owners be responsible for their parking solutions. Roadways are not built for private parking purposes.

Mike Winchatz
Honolulu

Dobelle believed he was untouchable

Why does Jimmy Borges (Letters, July 23) prefer to eliminate the University of Hawaii Board of Regents instead of President Evan Dobelle?

When Dobelle was offered that ridiculously high salary, he must have assumed that money grows on trees in Hawaii. The arrogance was that he also played Lord Bountiful to his mainland friends, paying them exorbitant salaries. The silly notion that he had no idea why he was fired is ridiculous. He behaved as if he was a law unto himself. But he knew there was a Board of Regents, he just decided that its members were beneath his notice.

I think 10 regents agreeing on the dismissal is more telling than our subject's defenses.

Elynore Hambleton
Honolulu

What's so evil about mainland donations?

In his July 14 letter, Rep. Scott Saiki says we should believe Gov. Linda Lingle is stopping campaign-spending reform because Republican coffers are full of funds from out-of-state contributors and government contractors.

I don't understand why the Democrats are so worried about mainland contributors. A mainland address doesn't mean the person making the donation has no interest in Hawaii. Many young people from Hawaii were forced to move to the mainland to find work. There were no jobs here because Hawaii businesses were suffocating in Hawaii's anti-business environment.

Lingle offered these young people hope that a Republican administration would change Hawaii's business environment and create jobs so they could return home. Lingle also has caught the attention of mainland business people who are willing to invest in Hawaii if the government will give businesses a fair chance to survive.

It is only natural that these young people and the potential investors who would hire them would contribute to Republicans. Why would Democrats want to prevent anyone -- even if they are on the mainland -- from supporting people who want to create jobs in Hawaii?

Aaron Johanson
Moanalua

Do Americans feel safer today?

Saying that America is safer does not make it so. At least 130,000 Americans face mortal danger daily due to the wars we wage to produce safety.

Combat pay is not given to safe soldiers. The millions of friends and family members of those called into harm's way are not filled with a peaceful calm.

Barricaded in our bomb shelters, with our eyes glazed and fixed upon the door, is an odd type of security. Only those who don't examine the furnishings we have stocked our little sanctuary with are satisfied feeling safe. This country crouches on cases of dynamite, deaf to all outside our influence. Ah, safety! Cigarette?

Larry R. Jones
Waikiki

We must heed wisdom of 9/11 commission

Having watched the work of the 9/11 commission and listened to the members' pleas for intelligence-gathering improvements, I am grateful to have been a witness to the only truly nonpartisan effort on our behalf since ... well, it's hard to remember when.

Anyone who ignores the commission pleas does so at their own political peril. Please, we're talking about nothing less than our country's survival as a democracy.

Robert G. Devine
Ocean View, Hawaii

State labors to beat back Capitol scum

The people of Hawaii showed their creativity and ingenuity in the Star-Bulletin's June 27 "Brainstorm" about algae in the state Capitol pools. Thank you to all who shared their ideas.

In addition to the algae situation, these pools need refurbishment and repair after more than 35 years of operation.

The Department of Accounting and General Services has just completed a study that examines how to improve the water purity and circulation and make the pools easier to clean.

DAGS is not considering cementing over or otherwise getting rid of the pools. They are a key design feature of the Capitol, which is listed on both the state and national historic registers. The pools represent the ocean environment of our island state, and complement the columns that represent the palm trees, and legislative chambers that represent the volcanoes that gave birth to our aina.

If the proposed repairs or improvements are authorized, money must be appropriated, and it will take time for the planning, design, permitting and other work to be completed. Meanwhile, the algae remain a concern -- and DAGS has been taking action without waiting to upgrade the pools.

Many ideas your readers suggested have been tried, including the use of chlorine, ozone and enzymes. While the Star-Bulletin's "Brainstorm" was going on, but independent of it, DAGS was writing up a request for information from companies that have potential solutions for the algae problem. The department expects to receive all submittals from these companies by next month, and to issue requests for proposals by early September.

If one or more effective solutions can be accommodated within our operating budget, we hope to have the algae treatment under way by the next legislative session.

Russ Saito
State Comptroller

Pols should possess high moral character

The Democratic contenders for U.S. president and vice president talk about values in their campaign speeches. As an independent voter, I believe that more meaningful qualities that politicians or business leaders should have are high morals and ethical standards.

We should give our precious votes to those of high morals and ethical standards, not vote for politicians because of their political party, race, skin color, religion, or social status.

Wilbert W.W. Wong
Kaneohe

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Hawaii's police officers are forced to endure the tropical heat and humidity in dark blue uniforms. It must get pretty uncomfortable, especially for the solo-bike officers. So this month's question is: If you could design a new uniform for our hard-working public safety officers, what would it look like? (Be nice!) Think about material, color, footwear and the different departments (patrol, detectives, solo bike, bicycle ...). We'd love to hear from members of our police force for this one, too. Send your ideas -- include your name, address and phone number -- by Aug. 20 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or by mail: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Or by fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750