Koolauloa plan backed by many

Balance should not be forgotten in debates over a community’s future. Shortsightedness can unnecessarily divide people, and extremism can be a damaging distraction.

A recent commentary minimizes the will of thousands of Koolauloa residents who have expressed serious and valid concerns about the future of our community ("Laie plans would ruin rural North Shore," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 17). The hard work of this community is reflected in the city’s updated Koolauloa Sustainable Communities Plan for our region.

At every public meeting over the last several years, residents have shared stories about the declining quality of life in Koolauloa due to lack of affordable housing, limited jobs and need for a community-driven plan to deal with these issues that are driving more young people away. The current draft addresses those needs and responds to public input. The final meeting in December 2010 was attended by roughly 500 people, the overwhelming majority in strong support of the draft plan.

Given residents’ support for the city’s plan, it’s unfair to now minimize their involvement and the process.

Pane Meatoga Jr.
Laie Community Association president and city Planning Advisory Committee member
Ralph Makaiau
Kahuku Community Association past president; city Planning Advisory Committee member

Hawaiian Air ignoring locals?

It is discouraging to discover that most Hawaiian Airlines interisland flights available this spring, specifically from Hilo to Kahului,are often more expensive than the some of their Hawaii-to-mainland flights.

A great airline, born in the islands with a history of excellent service,seems to be giving a greater eye to worldwide expansion than providing for the locals who have supported it throughout its 80-plus years.

Gary Turner
Pahoa, Hawaii island

Jones Act vital for U.S. security

In spite of the fact that current liquified natural gas (LNG) needs are being met by existing U.S. vessels covered by the Jones Act,no facilities exist here or on the mainland that can utilize the added capacity of a conventional LNG vessel.

LNG plants are very expensive and environmentally challenging to construct, and are necessary before one should contemplate a change or exemption to the Jones Act for them.

The Jones Act is a necessary element to the security of the United States. Its core of shipbuilding facilities and skilled shipbuilders is vital to our military readiness.

With ships built in China or elsewhere, we have lost not only the money spent and the taxes paid on them, but our shipbuilders and tradesmen are unemployed with their related technologies and skilled labor lost to another nation.

In the Jones Act’s present form, our security is enhanced, and we’ll continue to have the vessels to meet the needs of Hawaii and the United States.

Randy Swindell
President, Hawaii Ports Maritime Council

GMO zealots unappreciative

Agriculture Awareness Day at the state Capitol is an annual event that many people in our community look forward to. It’s a time when all aspects of agriculture come together to share their mana‘o about farming and the future of Hawaii agriculture with the public.

The appalling scene that unfolded at the end of the event was uncalled for and an obvious example of the antagonistic tactics used by a few aggressive anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) zealots.

Dean Okimoto and Shin Ho are true stewards of the land who truly care about doing what’s pono for the future of agriculture. They are our local farmers who provide local food for local people. They also understand that agricultural coexistence is essential to food security and food safety.

It’s a sad day in Hawaii when anti-GMO activists armed with their misinformation target local farmers who help our state become more self-sustainable.

Mark Phillipson
President, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association

Time to get out of Afghanistan

Bob Dukat criticized Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, for "attempting to order and limit U.S troops and support" in his country ("Karzai forgetting who’s paying piper," Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 1).

I would remind him that we invaded and have continued to occupy that country for the last 10 years, after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, and the perpetrators were mainly from Saudi Arabia — none were Afghani citizens.

Yes, Osama bin Laden had taken up residence there, but that did not justify declaring war on that country. As to Dukat’s assertion that we should "get out and stop the funding," I agree. We should not have been there in the first place.

He went on to write: "He who writes the checks, calls the shots."

He should try telling that to Israel, the recipient of the largest amount of aid from the U.S. Israel takes and takes and, in return, gives us the middle finger.

Jane M. Donahoe
Downtown Honolulu

Rehabilitate Kahala parcels

As a visitor from the mainland staying with relatives in Kahala, I was shocked and appalled to learn of the degradation of the many properties owned by Genshiro Kawamoto.

It is a blight on a beautiful community and I welcome the efforts of those who would like to enforce existing regulations and strengthen them, as well as cleaning up the properties proactively and sending Kawamoto a hefty invoice.

The properties should be condemned and rehabilitated and put back on the market for the benefit of all.

Or use the contiguous parcels to create a beautiful new beachfront park.

Greg Scearce
Nazareth, Penn.

U.S. flag treated disrespectfully

While reading the article, "Council supports big fine for ugly yards" (Star-Advertiser, March 29), I was disturbed by the picture of a pile of trash with our national flag disrespectfully thrown on top.

Our national symbol deserves a proper "burial."

U.S. Flag Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(k) states:"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Fay Jones
Waialae Iki Ridge

Roads are not for pedestrians

Why can’t the walkers, joggers, runners, dog walkers and people pushing strollers keep on the sidewalk?

They should stay off the road and bicycle lanes. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk.

Bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, cars and trucks are supposed to use the roadway. The only time pedestrians should be in the roadway is when they’re in a marked crosswalk.

Safety first; don’t share the road.

Wesley Wilhelm
Honolulu