Farmers deserve agriculture lands

As if gentlemen estates, genetically modified organisms and urban encroachment aren't enough of a threat to our agriculture lands, now we have five City Council members advocating for expanding the hospitality market into our agriculture lands via Bill 7. And of course all flavors of Bill 7 come without much-needed enforcement.

The farmers in East Honolulu in Kamilo Nui Valley and above Kaiser High School have successfully fended off urban encroachment despite heavy pressure from developers. All farmers ask for are fair lease rents, continued water flow, tax incentives and community support to “;buy local.”;

Agriculture lands should not be opened up to the accommodation industry. Agri-tourism should be discussed separately and not embedded within the context of these bills. It only adds another layer of confusion and concern as to the impacts it would have on taxes and lease rents for farmers and the overall need to revitalize ag lands for food and self-reliance.

Nourish sugar jobs with Maui water

I guess we'll never have a chance to experience or judge for ourselves all of the benefits that would have come from the operation of the Superferry. Sugar, however, is another story.

Sugar provides jobs and livelihoods for over 800 Maui families, it keeps our Central Maui valley green and welcoming, and it supports dozens of independent businesses which would not exist with out Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. as a customer. Sugar makes all agriculture on Maui more cost efficient than it would otherwise be because of the critical mass HC&S brings to purchasing of agricultural equipment and supplies.

Hopefully, a balanced decision on water resources will provide for the continued operation of HC&S.

Amemiya an asset to all of Hawaii

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Keith Amemiya for his 11 years at the helm of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association. He is an incredible administrator and, as an attorney, he showed his colors in the politics of sports. Bringing together five island leagues involving 95 high schools vying for 42 state championships, the most in the nation, is proof of his unique ability. Raising $1.3 million to save many of the school programs — he and his wife Bonny are donating at least $30,000 — shows what this guy is made of.

While it is sad to see him moving on, I am thrilled that he may be going into politics, where he will be a welcome addition. Tell me where the nomination papers are and I will be first in line to sign for this man. Kind of reminds me of Clark Kent; he was super, too. Just what we need.

Let's talk about what's worth saving

Aloha, Mayor Hannemann:

Save our symphony, save our schools, save our scenery, save our city and state. Scrap the rail! We cannot afford it.

Arrest motorists who hit pedestrians

I am sick and tired of hearing about another pedestrian being mowed down in a crosswalk, and it makes me angry that the Honolulu Police Department reports that the driver was not injured. Why should I care if the driver was injured or not? What HPD should do is cite the driver, arrest him or her for reckless driving, and slap on a hefty fine.

Maybe next time others won't go barreling through a crosswalk without thinking.

Solving problems takes some big ideas

I would like to offer some possible solutions for some of the current traffic and budget problems in our community.

1. All state and county offices will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This would reduce traffic and better serve the public. There is no reason for a person to have to take off from work to conduct business with the government, which is supposed to serve that person anyway. This will also reduce traffic.

2. University of Hawaii-Manoa will offer no classes before 10 a.m. Students needing to take classes does not supersede the public's need to get to work in a decent amount of time. If you doubt the effectiveness of this reduction of traffic, drive to town on a holiday.

3. With traffic reduced as a result of the two aforementioned there will be no need to bankrupt the City and County with a ridiculous rail system. These funds can then be used for education.

4. Eliminate the Department of Education and Board of Education and have all teachers reapply to the newly formed community-run schools. This will eliminate the need for the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

5. All elected officials shall send their children to a community-based school, not private school. All elected officials shall also enroll in the public option health care plan if passed on the federal level. This will ensure they live like the rest of us to some degree and maybe they will not lose touch with reality so easily.

6. In the next election anyone running for office who is an incumbent will be voted out. This will ensure we never get into this mess again.