Target could create playhouse

It looks like Target is coming to Kailua.

Notwithstanding concerns expressed by many residents who have attended Kailua Neighborhood Board meetings, the board has received a letter from Target informing it that they have finalized a lease transfer from Don Quijote.

The board has not taken a position on this because it is a private matter in which the board is not allowed to get involved.

The board has asked the city to do a traffic study of the overall Kailua area because of the potential traffic impact of the many developments that are occurring in Kailua, such as Target, Whole Foods and the D.R. Horton townhouse development.

As a private citizen, I did ask the Target representative to consider not tearing down the Kailua movie theater building, but to voluntarily convert it to a community playhouse. I feel this would be a welcome addition to the cultural life of our community, to be used by residents of all ages.

Statehood good for all residents

In celebration this month of Hawaii’s 51st anniversary of statehood, I urge that the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 be withdrawn from Congress.

Why? All of us born of these islands of Hawaii are citizens blessed of a sovereign nation, the United States of America, which affords to all its people liberty, justice and equality for all, and honors and recognizes the peoples’ cultural social diversity.

Camp David pact wasn’t a failure

Cal Thomas’ column ("New round of Middle East ‘peace talks’ will have same result," Star-Advertiser, Aug. 25) is standard operating procedure for conservative misinformation and war mongering.

What was not mentioned was the most significant achievement in peace talks ever: the Camp David Accords, in which Egypt signed a monumental agreement with Israel under the aegis of President Jimmy Carter. This agreement still stands today.

It is sad that while the Egyptians and Israelis respected Carter, conservatives didn’t regard him with the same level of respect. Fortunately, among the world’s statesmen, President Barack Obama is well respected and thus more likely to achieve peace than conservative propagandists will acknowledge.

Kim misdirected her fund-raid ire

In response to raiding $16 million from the e911 fund, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim suggested that perhaps cell phone companies were "charging too much."

Did Sen. Kim ever consider the possibility that the government is spending too much?

Return Kahana for public use

The state has had a very difficult time with the homesteaders and families residing in Kahana Valley (Island Voices: "Kahana Valley families living in limbo," Jim Anthony, Star-Advertiser, Aug. 26).

Land planned for an extension of the beach park has been compromised for the private use of the homesteaders. Unusual circumstances led to leases on state land farther into the valley until 2060.

The additional six families living in the valley should negotiate for a reasonable lease, rather than perpetual entitlements. Long-term plans should include returning the land for public use.

Kudos to Waipio Little League team

I sit here in Waipahu as a proud grandma of our Waipio Little League team. I have had the privilege of knowing and working with these young men as a grandparent of a player who played with many of these boys. They are all dedicated to the game of baseball and work extremely hard to do their best. The state of Hawaii should be proud to say that they represent us. Win or lose, they have done an awesome job, and this experience will be a high point in their lives.