Don't dump waste in whale sanctuary

How did Hawaii waters warrant the title of "The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary" when thousands and thousands of gallons of fecal matter, urine and chemicals are dumped in the same waters where the humpback whales give birth to their calves, nurse their calves and breed? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hawaii is "critical" to the survival of this endangered mammal.

The water is the humpback whales' ohana. They cannot swim or paddle ashore, dry off and walk, bike or drive anywhere else. They cannot motor into their slip, kill the engine and call it a day.

This sanctuary is their delivery room. I feel honored that they have chosen Maui waters for the delivery of their babies. I feel privileged to witness the birth of this new life, while others scream, yell and swing their clenched fists in the air for the right to dump the contents of their toilets in the sanctuary, Hawaii waters -- the humpback whales' ohana.

New law not enough to protect pedestrians

The new crosswalk law is a good effort to reduce the number of pedestrians who are hit by vehicles. This will help part of the problem by making drivers and pedestrians more aware and responsible, though it will still not provide a safe environment for crossing streets. A major part of this responsibility is with city traffic engineers who design the pedestrian walkways and crosswalks. Honolulu is not a very walkable city. In many places, sidewalks are narrow and crosswalks are not identified clearly.

An example are the numerous crosswalks along South King Street, between Kalakaua and University avenues. Pedestrians in these crosswalks have to cross six lanes to get to the other side of King Street. There is no signal and traffic is consistently heavy. It is hard for drivers to see the crosswalks since many are faded and vehicles parked in the outside lanes hide the signs on the side of the streets.

What is needed at these crosswalks at the very least are flashing signals or, better yet, stoplights. For Honolulu to be safe for pedestrians, there has to an effort to make it a walkable city through good traffic engineering, in addition to creating awareness among pedestrians and drivers.

Diamond Head blaze was handled well

Four days before 9/11 and the slopes of Diamond Head catch fire (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 8). It took a while for the pedestrians to call for help, as most residents were outside watching the flames grow up the inactive volcano's top.

The fire department arrived, followed closely by the police, and disappeared up Monsarrat Avenue. Honolulu's finest blocked off the streets. With the fire spreading along the side of Diamond Head, the firemen got to the scene. They climbed up the hillside over barbed wire and unsteady dirt and rocks. The fire that was started around 4 o'clock was still burning three hours later. The firefighters eventually put it out, with the help of military helicopters.

I really wanted to praise the firemen in this letter to the editor. They performed their duty that day exceptionally well.

Fed, state do nothing about gas cost gouging

It seems that the outrageous gas prices we face today are treated by the media and politicians as if they were an act of God or nature -- or the result of the "free market" and, therefore, beyond human intervention. This is pure hogwash! The oil companies are making huge profits. The energy bill passed by the last Congress and pushed by President Bush's despicable administration gave them another $40 billion in subsidies and incentives. Now they also benefit from the occupation and war in Iraq and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, so many local families experience increasing hardship from this strain on their budgets.

Governor Lingle feebly appealed to gas distributors here not to hike their prices to the maximum permitted under the cap, but for the most part they have ignored her. The federal government, led by Bush and his cabinet of oil-connected bigwigs, is doing next to nothing to alleviate the situation.

The news media should stop pretending gas price hikes are inevitable and do some investigative reporting. Gas prices are controlled to a large extent by huge oil monopolies, which are heavily subsidized by us. We, the people, should be able to demand that they lower their prices or we, the people, should take them over and run them for the our needs rather than for the record profits of a very small group of owners and investors.

It's time to count up gas cap supporters

Now, will all the legislative proponents of our new and improved gas cap (Chapter 486H Hawaii Revised Statutes) please say, "Aye?"

Human nature has role in many tragedies

In his Sept. 4 column, the Star-Bulletin's Richard Borreca asks, "How can anyone argue that the local, state and federal governments were anything but at fault (for the tragedy in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina)?"

A devastating natural disaster wiped out an entire region. At any other time in history, hundreds of thousands would have died instantly, while most survivors would have later succumbed to injury, disease or starvation.

It is a miracle of our modern world that early warning enabled the evacuation of so many prior to the onslaught as well as the sheltering of many of the poor and immobile. Now help is pouring into the city. Survivors are being evacuated. The swamp is being drained. Thank heaven the survivors are complaining -- they are alive!

Why wasn't something done before Vesuvius buried Pompeii? Why did the Twin Towers crumble? All disasters, natural and man-made, could have been greatly mitigated with better planning, foresight and advance action. Hindsight is easy. How do we summon the resources, the vision and the will to manage all potential tragedies in advance?

It's not government, but the very nature of the human race that prevents many tragedies from being avoided. People take risks. Let's grow up and accept the consequences of our actions.

Bush team strikes out in game of truth

Not to take any thunder away from our Little League World Champion heroes, but there is a much bigger, hardball, global world series game playing out. The teams: President Bush and His Team of Mass Deceptions vs. The Underdogs of Truth and Justice.

Bush's batting record:

Strike 1: 9/11

Half of New Yorkers believe U.S. leaders had foreknowledge of impending 9/11 attacks and consciously failed to act. A national poll finds 66 percent of Americans calling for a new probe of many unanswered questions and demands for the truth.

Strike 2: The war in Iraq

Two-thirds of Americans don't support Bush's handling of the war. Majorities in Congress think it was a mistake, and Bush clearly seems clueless as to how this mess can be brought to a successful conclusion.

Strike 3: Hurricane Katrina

Most Americans, and the world, are still dumbfounded as to why Bush waited more than four days to send help to the desperate people of Louisiana and ravaged areas of the South. Foul on leadership? Errors in judgment? Or deliberate negligence?

Bush has struck out.

The People are up to bat.

This game is not over yet, folks.

How to write us The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (150 to 200 words). The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813