Airport stop doesn't need separate line

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's announcement of a scaled-down plan to connect the planned rail system to the airport is a welcome development (Star-Bulletin, May 24). But why does this connection need to be via a separate spur line? Why not put both the airport and Salt Lake on the same line, which would only require a rather minor realignment? Think of the money that would save!

We should mourn our lowered expectations

Memorial Day is dawning as I write this, the day we remember our American war dead. The rhetoric of our annual ceremonies expresses the pride we feel for those who offered the "last full measure of devotion," but, in fact, we manage to keep a large portion of that pride for ourselves, as if our warriors' willingness to sacrifice somehow makes noble our cause.

As Americans, not even in our prayers are we humble, for we see ourselves as the anointed ones, the rightful occupants of our pre-eminent "shining city on a hill." We suppose that we have forged the most advanced civilization in history.

So how do we as a nation react when faced with a serious challenge? From our lofty perch, what is the most highly evolved response we manage to summon? As a result of engaging all of our intellect and experience and insight, what course of action do we choose to best serve our highest ideals and aspirations? We send our children out into the streets to kill other people's children.

Forgive me if I conclude that Memorial Day is a day not to puff out our chests in national pride, but rather, a day to mournfully acknowledge our grotesque lack of imagination in sending our youth to war.

Beachgoers took care of seal caretaker

As a member of the NOAA Monk Seal Response Team, I just wanted to give a public mahalo to an anonymous family I met near Queen's Beach this past Saturday. We had a monk seal haul out and take a nap in the middle of the beach. Before I could even put my gear down there was a full plate of food and a cold drink in front of me.

"Are you here to help with the monk seal?" the gentleman asked. When I replied yes, he said, "Well, we're taking care of you."

He and his family were so kind to all of us and I really wanted to send a heartfelt mahalo to them all. Their aloha was very much appreciated!

Give Chinese visitors the usual treatment

Attention, Hawaii! Mega Global Airway is planning to fly thousands of visitors from China to Hawaii this year (Star-Bulletin, May 27). Everyone remembers what to do, right? You robbers: Don't forget to rob AND assault. Car rental companies and hotels: Do not even hint of our criminals' modus operandi. Police: Remember that safeguarding these visitors will require extra effort without extra pay. Judges: Get the revolving doors oiled in case some unfortunate robber should somehow get caught. Merchants: Remember to take full advantage of their naivete. The rest of us: Act like we have no aloha for foreign visitors.

If we all do our part, we should have these new visitors vacationing elsewhere soon enough.

Younger generation won't get a sweet deal

Duke Matzen's May 27 letter gave me the best laugh I've had in a long time, and with all the current bad news, it was most welcome! The sad thing is, he's right about how we are dumbing down our kids, which, in turn, leaves us praising mediocrity.

This makes me very worried about the next generation's ability to take over the reins from the previous generations' hard work and work ethic, but I do think that for now, we should all be on the lookout for that little "stollen (German pastry) dog."

Road around Kaena would be beneficial

A road around Kaena Point would open the island to Waianae, improve traffic flow, add tourism and change the lives of all. The protection of Kaena need not be affected; the use of guardrails would prevent vehicle traffic from entering. The road should go into the side of the hill or even through. What would be better for the island than to improve the lives of so many?