Superferry will help a lot of residents

While I agree that environmental and traffic issues need to be addressed by Hawaii Superferry, I would take your April 14 editorial more seriously if you had mentioned the same problems caused, especially on Maui, by development gone crazy. Exhibit A, the latest development of more than 100 houses in Kihei.

Unlike more houses for the rich, the Superferry will provide a service for all the people. Let's encourage it.

Local airlines also fought with low fares

Regarding Daniel Moore's letter ("New airline is here to force out others," Star-Bulletin, April 19), I do not believe he remembers the "fare wars" of the 1980s and '90s. I worked in the travel industry from 1982 to 1996, and I have seen all of these fare wars first hand. It would seem that every time a third airline would start up, such as Mahalo and Discovery, both Aloha and Hawaiian would drop their fares to $39. This made it difficult for this new start-up to compete. As soon as the third airline went belly-up, the fares went up.

When go! said it can operate at a loss for years, it is a strong message to Aloha and Hawaiian, basically saying, "You will not force us out like you did to Mahalo and Discovery!"

Lingle should support anti-discrimination bill

Prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is an honorable goal and one that is supported by a vast majority of Hawaii legislators. Most people agree that discrimination is wrong and it has no place in civil society. Governor Lingle, we need you to affirm that Hawaii stands in support of equality for all of her citizens, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. Please sign House Bill 1233 to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations.

Kuilima knows resort would add traffic

The claim by Kuilima Resort Co., the Turtle Bay developer, that its project "likely would not create increased traffic" does not square with its own traffic report from 2005 that indicates traffic volume along Kamehameha Highway would significantly increase as a result of resort expansion.

If we could ignore the traffic problem, one might agree that the proposed resort could be very nice. The luxury condos and hotel rooms would make fine vacation homes for wealthy visitors. People would be able to park in small lots close to a handful of beaches instead of having to walk to the now secluded beaches. Guests could ride shuttle vans to new jewelry shops and rent snorkel gear from kiosks on these once-pristine beaches. It would be the perfect "rural" experience, except for all the cars.

The super-congested two-lane highway would be a bad joke for Turtle Bay's tourists, but a downright nightmare for residents who would suffer every time they leave their homes, should the developer have its way.

Humu fish does not best represent Hawaii

I urge people who care about Hawaiian culture ask Governor Lingle to veto the humuhumunukunukuapuaa state fish bill. The humu is cute, but the only reason people really pay attention to it is because one song, written in 1933 for the mainland market, became popular.

While this might seem like a little thing, when the sea erodes one stone at a time, eventually the sea wall will come down. When little pieces of the culture are chipped away, eventually the whole culture is lost.

The oopu has been an important part of Hawaiian culture since ancient times. It is for us like the salmon to the Native American, like the koi to the Japanese.

The little oopu is industrious and struggles for survival against the strongest waves that wash downriver. It climbs huge rocks to overcome obstacles and reach the top of the highest waterfall. What a fine symbol for us!

The governor signs or vetos the bill this week, so please act quickly. Do you want to be represented by a fish whose distinguishing characteristic is the ability to grunt? Or one which is an example of perseverance and strength?