Self-centeredness led to airport scare

I don't understand what is the big deal about the reported "bomb hoax" from that Maui girl ("'Fake bomb' was mistake, according to Maui mom," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 22). Yes, she should be locked up for a few days; yes, she is lucky to be alive; and no, I am not surprised to see that. This is the perfect example of our iPod generation. They don't have a clue about respect for the law, for the people and their surroundings. Holding a fake bomb around the neck in an airport is not art at all; it's more like a Russian roulette game. Girl, you lost it!

Student's art was clearly not a bomb

I am amazed that a simple board with light-emitting diodes obviously powered by a 9-volt battery could be mistaken by airport security personnel for a bomb. Thousands of similar, smaller LED pins have been given away at various computer conferences for more than 25 years. I am not surprised that Star Simpson didn't think anyone could possibly mistake it for anything but a large piece of art jewelry.

The mistake of the security personnel was compounded throughout the day by the media continually reporting this LED board as a fake bomb. I can't believe that with all the technology-savvy people in the media business that they didn't knowingly exploit this misunderstanding for a story.

Simpson comported herself in the best way possible during this misunderstanding, protecting herself from injury. Nothing will protect the security personnel at the airport from the degrading of their credibility as professionals caused by immediately deciding it was a bomb threat instead of stopping this engineering student and simply inspecting the LED board. That simple act would have established that it was innocuous.

As a Maui resident who spent 25 years in computer technology, I am proud of Simpson. She did the best she could in a bad situation.

Book smarts don't make you sensible

Auwe to Star Simpson. After 9/11, who in their right mind would wear that shirt she made to the airport? She might be intellectually smart, but commonsense dumb.

Kauai is too small to handle more visitors

The Superferry is a serious threat to Kauai and our quality of life. Damage will be irreversible. National Geographic calls it a "monster megastructure." Ferries are good for connecting places like England (59 million people) to Ireland (2 million), or Seattle (600,000) to Vancouver (723,000). Not for moving Oahu (700,000 vehicles) to Kauai (60,000 vehicles). The Superferry is simply too big for Kauai. Bringing 288 cars daily Kauai does not have the security or infrastructure to handle! Oahu has freeways and huge highways. Kauai has one two-lane road. Uncrowded fishing, hunting, surfing, opihi, throw net, maile, limu kohu, mokihana will all be pau soon.

We love our ohana from Oahu. They know they can visit any time, by air. Honorable governor, you have the power and know how to stop the Superferry from servicing Kauai. There's got to be a way to obtain federal highway funding without ruining Kauai for good. Your decisions will be your legacy. I remain peaceful but observant.

What you do at home has a bigger impact

All the people championing an environmental impact statement for the Superferry would do well to do an EIS of their own homes.

If you chose plastics over glass and aluminum, don't recycle, don't own and USE reusable shopping bags, use environmentally insensitive cleaning products, have ever NOT disposed properly of tires, used motor fluids, appliances, chose to not recycle or if you drive a big gas-guzzling car, if you let the water run while you shower, wash your car, do dishes or while you brush your teeth, you are likely contributing to more of an environmental crisis than this one ship.

I challenge everyone who is protesting the Superferry on the grounds of the missing EIS to re-evaluate their homes and lifestyles.

If you find you cannot throw stones because you fall short of being environmentally friendly yourself, then acknowledge this issue is more of an anti-developmental attitude and run for office to decide what decade or even century we want Hawaii to remain in.

Teach kids respect for others' property

In regard to J.Y. Matsuo's letter Wednesday concerning folks leaving important items in their cars, which sometimes are stolen: While his warning to us is don't put valuables in your car, I submit that we should be telling the other side, "If it isn't yours, don't take it."

Although it might fall on deaf ears with the criminals at large, it never hurts as a reminder to all parents to teach your children respect for others' property.