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Waikiki construction is a cyclist's dream

Some say the on-going road work in Waikiki is a bad thing: traffic delays, dust, deafening jackhammers, whining saws. And worse, that darn BRT lane means less space for trucks to deliver the precious products of the tourist industry.

But as a cyclist who rides through Waikiki everyday, I say it's great. With the new traffic restrictions, I leave cars and even taxis in the dust. Maneuvering through the jumbled mess of pylons, yellow tape and traffic cones is like a deliriously fun and stimulating trip to Chuckie Cheese. And best of all, cars move so slowly now that even if they were to hit me, I'd probably ride away with little more than a bent spoke.

Bravo to the Harris administration for making Kuhio a pleasurable ride again.

Dem Convention raised hopes of many

Thank you for your coverage of the Democratic Convention. As I watched, I was proud to be a Democrat. The convention was about hope. It was about standing up for our country. It was about real issues. It was about inclusion. And it was about standing shoulder to shoulder with all of our fellow Americans.

For years now our country has been headed in the wrong direction, but the tide is finally turning in America. It's time to put Democrats back in the White House and Congress and get this country back on the right track.

Hawaii would be better off exporting ethanol

Western States Petroleum Association understands the need for Hawaii to support the sugar industry by promoting ethanol production, but according to the state's own experts, the ethanol mandate will increase gasoline costs to Hawaii consumers by about $20 million a year and decrease gas mileage ("New laws promote ethanol fuel," Star-Bulletin, June 23).

These same experts, hired by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, also predicted an ethanol mandate would reduce state and county tax revenues by $2 million annually. To offset the reduction of state and county tax revenues, governments would be forced to either raise taxes or reduce existing services.

Furthermore, the American Lung Association has testified to Congress that it strongly opposes ethanol in fuel mandates because they lead to greater air pollution emissions. DBEDT's experts recommended an alternative method for boosting Hawaii's sugar industry through ethanol production. They suggested the state help the industry produce ethanol for export to California, which needs more than 700 million gallons of ethanol annually. According to the DBEDT report, ethanol exports would provide a much larger market with all the economic benefits of ethanol production, but without the burden to Hawaii drivers and taxpayers.

Old rainbow logo is perfect fit for UH

None of the proposed University of Hawaii logo designs appeal to me. I prefer the old colorful one with the rainbow, except it is missing the last of the "true" rainbow -- lavender! Maybe, the word "Hawaii" can be added to the rainbow logo wherever it looks best. The rainbow is very important and indicative of UH-Manoa.

Junk the junk logos and stick with UH seal

Every design selected as "finalists" for the new University of Hawaii logo is ugly. Whatever happened to our "old" logo (the UH seal) that said everything that needed to be said about our university? Why wasn't this given as a choice?

Why was there no choice for "none of the above"? Come on, guys, give us a break. We don't need a new logo. Period!

Peacock proliferation due to overfeeding

The recent culling of peacocks at Waimea Audubon Center prompted several members of my organization to visit the facility. We were alarmed to discover five coin-operated birdseed dispensers placed throughout the park. At each dispenser approximately 50 birds waited patiently to be fed. It is obvious that most of these wild birds are now dependent on handouts.

The center's conservation manager, Lance La Pierre, should know better than anyone that the uncontrolled feeding of wild birds results in overpopulation. Also, birds who are fed regularly will lose their innate fear of humans and many will become aggressive.

Waimea Audubon Center stated in a newspaper article that one of the reasons for the peacock culling was because the birds were pecking at young children. This is similar to the situation that occurred with fish at Hanauma Bay, and which prompted the feeding ban. Once fish feeding stopped at Hanauma Bay, the problems with aggressive fish biting snorkelers diminished.

It seems clear to me that by selling unlimited amounts of birdseed to park visitors, the National Audubon is choosing profits and the entertainment of human beings over the welfare of the wild birds.

Either La Pierre needs to find another job or the City Council needs to find another organization that can better manage Waimea Falls Park.

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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