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Oh, please, not the Superferry again (“Kauai could have used the Superferry,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 21).
It was a bad idea 10 years ago, and it is still a bad idea. A recent economic study showed that an unsubsidized interisland ferry service could not operate without unsustainable financial losses.
As for using the Superferry as a relief/rescue vessel, how, pray, would this work? The Haena- Wainiha area has no place where so massive a vessel can land.
The only option would be to anchor it offshore and use Zodiacs, Jet Skis or other small craft to run supplies through the reefs and sand bars.
Guess what? Kauai’s gallant North Shore Navy is already doing a fine job of running supplies in and people out of the area.
Had the protests not succeeded, Kauai might have “enjoyed” such favors as regular infusions of 200 or more cars onto our already gridlocked roads, introduction of stowaway pests and even more pressure on our overused beaches, reefs and fishing spots.
H.M. Wyeth
Anahola, Kauai
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Give Rodman credit for Korea progress
Talks between North and South Korea provided much need to hope to prevent nuclear war in the Pacific theater.
However, when the history books are written of a reunified Korea, will there be a chapter on the role of Dennis “The Worm” Rodman?
Rodman pulled back the kimchee curtain to the Hermit Kingdom and celebrated Kim Jong Un’s love of basketball. He showed good things can happen when you follow your heart.
Rodman allowed the world to see that Kim shares an American passion: basketball. The strange sharing of Kim and Rodman may have helped to change the world for the better.
Joseph DeFrank
Mililani
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OHA could replicate Kahauiki Village
Duane Kurisu’s and Corbett Kalama’s humble beginnings, their eventual financial success, and their compassion to give back created a partnership to help build Kahauiki Village, complete with a daycare center.
After attending the presentation on how they all worked together to accomplish this amazing, almost impossible village for Hawaii’s homeless families with children, I noticed about 80 percent are Hawaiians.
Reading the article about $30 million for ohana zones (“More than $30M OK’d for ‘ohana zones’,” Star-Advertiser, April 28), I couldn’t help but think how great it would be for our beneficiaries if we, as trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, would sit down and figure out a way we could replicate Kahauiki Village.
Possibly swapping our Kakaako Makai property for lands for our villages could create a legacy for our generations to come, our beneficiaries. OHA cannot do it alone, and there are so many willing to help if given the opportunity to create this legacy.
Lei Ahu Isa
Trustee at large, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
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Take stand against Trump’s behavior
In all my years living under the leadership of 12 presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama, I am in disbelief to now be under the reign of President Donald Trump.
His incessant tweeting and grandstanding is unprecedented and self-serving; he appears more concerned about his image than he is of the health of our country.
The constant TV and press coverage of his ego-driven rants and the upheaval of the state of affairs in our nation’s capital is deplorable. Bigotry, racism, denigration, untruths and ignorance have no place in Washington, D.C.
When will we wake up and stand for pride, ethics, leadership and the betterment of our fellow Americans and the world?
Please vote with your brains, not with your unwillingness to make a change.
I am ashamed and frustrated by what is happening in my USA! Our states are no longer united.
Mary J. Culvyhouse
Kaneohe
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Marco Polo disaster a lesson for others
The text of the story about Marco Polo was correct, but the headline, “Marco Polo residents vote for sprinklers” (Star-Advertiser, May 1), was wrong. Only the apartment owners in condominiums can vote. Some residents are renters. They can’t vote.
It’s unfortunate that it took a disaster to reach this point. Marco Polo owners are paying in dollars as well as grief for their complacency. I hope other condominium owners will learn from their mistake.
Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake
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Visitors face filthy airport bathrooms
Recently I returned from a trip to Japan and Korea. As we exited the immigration lines, tourists from all around the world headed to the baggage claim in the foreign arrivals area. Like many of us, the first visit is the restrooms. Auwe! Three urinals were broken and the only one in use was filthy with paper and overflow urine; the stalls were filthy and smelly. Imagine this first impression to visitors from around the world.
Compare this to Japanese restrooms, which are unbelievable clean and odor-free. Every public restroom, hotel, restaurant, park and tourist attraction we visited in Japan had super-clean floors, toilets and no smelly odors.
Can Hawaii’s public and other restrooms be as clean as Japan, with a population of 127 million? Visitors from all over the world come to Hawaii, the Paradise of the Pacific. What are their first impressions of Hawaii: filthy bathrooms or golden sunsets?
Gary Tokuda
Aiea
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