Protesters' actions bad for us all

University of Hawaii Interim President David McClain, together with minority Democrats who occupied his office for several days, should be weeded out of the Manoa campus. Inspired by radicals such as Ward Churchill and Michael Moore, those protesting Navy research at the university are up to something no good for our state and country.

It is unlawful to obstruct a state official's office and yet McClain let those militants take over his office. The only thing he should have done is call the police to clear his place of work. His action or lack of action indicates weakness and lack of leadership. A leader must be decisive with fortitude accompanied by good judgment and fairness.

The Navy protects our country and it is in search for a better tomorrow so that our country remains the only superpower on Earth. But the protesters treat our Navy as if they are the Iranian or North Korean navy.

McClain should not cave in to noisy few

The people who were occupying the office of the president of the University of Hawaii have left, declaring victory. That this occupation was peaceful and ended without any injuries is a great credit to Interim President David McClain and to Hawaii's aloha spirit.

The occupiers acted as a tyranny of the few. They trespassed on public property, issued non-negotiable demands and ignored the democratic institutions whereby our elected representatives determine public policy. These actions confirm that the ethics of the occupiers are indeed different from the ethics of the "military-industrial complex." American military men and women have long risked life and limb to ensure that representative government exists and thrives.

As a taxpayer, I encourage McClain to examine every potential major contract that affects the university. I also encourage him to follow the carefully laid out regulations and laws that give him and others procedural authority. He should not cave in to the illegal occupation of his office.

Create one traffic plan for Oahu, forever

Lawmakers talk of building a rail transit line between Kapolei and Waikiki, eventually extending it to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, at a cost of at least $2 billion. You are seeing gridlock in today's traffic because of poor planning by our traffic engineers, who are not looking at the cause of traffic problems islandwide. They build roads, freeways, highways and streets without planning ahead, knowing that Oahu is never going to get bigger. And yet building and planning roads by sections year after year.

My suggestion is to have one master plan for the whole island of Oahu forever. Stop wasting billions and billions of dollars without improving today's traffic congestion.

I can show you how to build the traffic roads of the future for Oahu without congestion, even with three times the population and cars on the road -- a bold plan using today's freeways, highways and streets to start islandwide.

We do not need rail, ferry or any kind of mass transit built. Let us start with what we have on hand, building and making changes with one master plan in mind. Believe it or not, it can be done.

Come out for slower traffic in Makakilo

My son Nathan was the child who was killed on Makakilo Drive while trying to cross the street to get to his school bus stop Monday morning, April 4. He was hit by a truck at 7:12 a.m. and died at the hospital a short time later.

That is why my husband, Christopher, and I now stand on the roadside every Monday morning before school to start the week out by reminding motorists that they need to slow down and watch out for the children walking to school or trying to get to their bus stop, so that hopefully no child or parent will have to suffer the same fate that we have had to endure.

Therefore, my husband and I, along with some other great supporters from our neighborhood, will be out there Monday mornings from 6:15 to 7:45, signs in hand and voices ready. For those of you who have been asking us to include you and can make it out for these "Traffic Awareness Events," we greatly appreciate your support, but we would also like to take this time to thank everyone who has been helping and supporting us through this very difficult time in our lives. We could not have made it this far without you.

I would also like to thank the motorists in our community who have acknowledged our efforts to make Makakilo/Kapolei a safer place for our kids and a safer place to live. Brightest blessings to all of you!

So, let's all get out there on Mondays for Nathan and for all of "our" children.

With all my aloha, mahalo.

Senators' verbal joust became racist

It was a sad exchange between Sen. Clayton Hee and myself on closing day of the Legislature (Star-Bulletin, May 6). I know I hit pretty hard politically, but I hope my utterances are in the bounds of fair and honorable debate. I don't think the racism and Hee's remarks about Punahou, Outrigger and my ethnic heritage were anything other than racist.

It really is upsetting for me as I have written before about my feelings for Hawaii: I have stood on Mauna Kea and felt the coldness of the snow goddess Poliahu chill my soul. My heart has beat like a ancient chanting drum while running across the scorched lava fields of Kau.

From the crest of Haleakala I have felt the warm rays of the dawning sun as they caress these islands.

Sleeping alone in a cave in Papalaua Valley on Molokai, I have heard the night wind whisper of ancient Hawaii.

I have paddled a koa canoe for painful hours across the Kaiwi Channel.

In the shadow of Konahuanui I have felt the ghosts of warriors.

Fear has seized my being as I screamed across the face of a 20-foot wave at Makaha. I have shared the joy and exhilaration of riding waves with my brothers and sisters Eddie, Buffalo, Rell and so many more.

On a full moon night I have danced with the silver waves of Hanalei.

Every fiber of my being is of Hawaii. My mother's forebears were citizens of the kingdom of Hawaii. Though my koko is not of the ancient people, my heart certainly is. I love this Hawaii as much as any human can.

How dare Clayton Hee insult the people of Hawaii with his self-righteous racism.

Early screening can prevent cervical cancer

National Women's Health Week is May 8-14. During this week, we should put a sharp focus on cervical cancer, one of the highly preventable women's cancers. For the first time in history, we have an opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer. Medical experts know what causes this deadly disease, and new technologies for screening, treatment and prevention are a reality.

Scientists now know that a common virus -- the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Both men and women can be infected with it. You can harbor it for years or even decades, and in most cases it will disappear without any harm or noticeable symptoms. Only when HPV infection is persistent, usually lasting several years, can it potentially lead to cervical disease or cancer.

The primary way to prevent cervical cancer is to get screened regularly. Abnormal cells can be caught and treated early, before they become malignant. A new test for the HPV virus has also been approved, and studies have shown that HPV testing in combination with a pap smear is the most effective way to identify need for early intervention and to curb the disease. A vaccine for the HPV virus is also being tested and studies have shown that it holds great promise.

Educating women about the need for regular screening is key to eliminating cervical cancer, and to help accomplish this the Legislature passed a resolution designating January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and a resolution asking the Women's Legislative Caucus to help disseminate information. Our efforts are part of a national campaign, the Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, launched in January 2004 by Women in Government, a national nonprofit, bipartisan organization.

For more information on the Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign, please visit www.womeningovernment.org/prevention.

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