Turtle Bay resort is already big enough

Don't let Turtle Bay slip away! Support the preservation of undeveloped lands surrounding the current hotel resort and the ongoing support of the existing hotel and its employees. Don't let corporations ruin our islands. Turtle Bay cannot fill its rooms 100 percent now, it won't happen with 3,500 more rooms. Keep the existing hotel, restaurants, condos and golf course and keep the open land.

Early Learning Council a wise investment

As the head of Hanahauoli School, a board member of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and co-chairman of the Act 259 Early Learning Task Force, I urge the governor to remove Senate Bill 2878 from her possible veto list. This needs to be a time of fiscal constraint as the governor advocates. However, starting this 10-year initiative now is a smart thing to do not only for Hawaii's economy but for its families.

Every dollar invested in a child's future yields significant benefits as that child grows up. The results are in: Children who have access to high quality early learning experience are more likely to become high school and college graduates, avoid entanglements with crime, and contribute to their communities as employees and citizens.

The bill establishes the Early Learning Council as a governing agency to launch the "Keiki First Steps" program. It is intended to design a comprehensive system of quality early learning opportunities that will best meet the unique needs of Hawaii's children. The council is a public-private partnership and funding in the future will be shared across both sectors. The passage of SB 2878 is an opportunity to move the early learning agenda in Hawaii ahead. And it is a fiscally responsible thing to do.

It's amazing people still support Bush

I've long been fascinated by the way different observers can see the same situation differently. But rarely in my 70 years have I seen a more extreme example than when I opened Tuesday's Star-Bulletin.

Letter writer Bernardo P. Benigno stated, "George W. Bush will be considered by history as one of the greatest American presidents of all time." I think that Bush has been a law breaker who has borrowed our children's and grandchildren's legacy to fund a war he lied us into. The Bush presidency was and still is incompetence on a scale that is positively breathtaking. Bush has done far more damage to America and its place in the world than our enemies could have ever dreamed.

Bush will go down in history, all right. I predict that he will be America's first president to serve time.

Beware 'natural' cures for what ails you

Neutriceuticals or pharmaceuticals, snake oil or placebos, what should one do when sick, blue or dying? Antibiotics and pharmaceuticals are my saviors, while others swear by goji, aloe vera, noni, supplements, nutrients and herbs.

I went to a naturopath for bronchitis and was treated with acupuncture and expensive supplements. Ironically, one of the supplements had cow lung in it, yet they suggested I go on a vegetarian diet. After taking the supplements for days and two acupuncture treatments, my bronchitis became worse.

Finally I made an appointment to see a physician and was prescribed antibiotics. Within hours of taking the first dose, I felt like a new man.

People are living longer today than any other time in history. Our first president, George Washington, is believed to have died from a tooth abscess, which today would be treated with antibiotic therapy.

Two years ago I was hospitalized for three months with a spinal abscess, which without proper antibiotics most definitely would have taken my life.

Pharmaceuticals or neutriceuticals? Remember the old expression, "One man's meat is another man's poison."

To save gas, stand next to a pretty woman

Four myths were listed on the front page of last Sunday's Star-Bulletin as to "how to make the most of each drop" of gas. I would like to mention No. 5, which I believe to be factual and not a myth: Park the car in the garage and ride TheBus.

Also, if you are a man, find an attractive woman in shorts, both of you stand on the curb, and let the attractive one thumb a ride. In just a few seconds, you'll see cars coming to a screeching halt; free ride, no gas!

Everything's going up but don't you worry

Don't worry, be happy. To keep everyone happy, we must raise your rent and gas prices and water bill! Since we are on this subject, we are raising your cable bill also!

Remember, don't worry, be happy that you live in Hawaii.