Let all areas have a landfill

No one can argue that the Leeward Coast has not suffered the brunt of Oahulandfills for 50 years — Yokohama, Waianae, Palailai, Waimanalo Gulch and PVT.

So, why are Keaau and Nanakuli Uplands still considered for landfills?

The Leeward Coast is the home of the highest concentration of Native Hawaiians in the world.Why are our elected officials not publicly addressing this blatant form of environmental racism? This is just not fair.

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee exercised fairness when it did not recommend Nanakuli "B" for a landfill.Why? Because Nanakuli "B" is right in Nanakuli town — just a football field away from the shopping center, neighborhoods, health facilities, the ocean, parks and Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead, and less than a mile from four schools.

I recommend each district host a landfill, so everybody can take care of their own opala. Now, wouldn’t that be fair?

Mel Kahele
Kapolei

Constitution protects protest

Bill 38, under consideration by the City Council, which would "allow" citizens "to gather without a permit if there are less than 75 people" — unless they gather "due to a spontaneous event occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge within 48 hours of such expressive activity" — would have brought a loud raspberry to the lips of the colonial protesters in Boston and the other colonies, followed by hoots of derision ("City develops rules for free-speech events," Star-Advertiser, May 2).

Note the "shall make no law" proviso in the First Amendment. Some laws are ready-made to ignore, and, in my case, I will choose to exercise my First Amendment right as I see fit.

Al McKinney
Wilhemina Rise

Library issue handled well

Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i applauds the work of the legislative conference committee on House Bill 1054 HD1 SD1 CD1.

We believe taking locally raised money into a state special fund would have a chilling effect on fundraising for libraries and set a dangerous precedent for any group raising money on state property.

We appreciate the clarification in the law regarding how FLH affiliates and other nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations may operate on library property. We thank our affiliates for their passionate reaction to the various drafts of this legislation and for letting their voices be heard.

We wish all stakeholders had been consulted prior to the introduction of legislation. FLH supported Rep. Mark Jun Hashem’s resolution to convene a task force to involve all stakeholders.

FLH would especially like to thank Rep. Roy Takumi, Sen. Jill Tokuda and Attorney General David Louie for their diligence on the amendments made to this bill.

Byrde Cestare
Executive director, Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i

City office helps isle farmers, too

The Honolulu City Council is considering eliminating the entire budget and staff of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.

OED is important because it works in partnership with Oahu’s businesses, nonprofits and communities to support programs that stimulate economic development in Honolulu.

OED supports a range of industries such as tourism, entertainment, sports, technology and agriculture.

It supports Oahu’s agriculture by supporting events such as the Hawaii State Farm Fair, the Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival, the North Shore Heritage & Farm Tours, Ag in the City and community farmers’ markets.

Many of the events that OED supports play an invaluable role in the success of Oahu’s agricultural industry by providing farmers and ranchers a venue to direct market their locally grown products and to educate, engage and share the importance of agriculture with consumers.

Dean Okimoto
President, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation

TheBoat didn’t float financially

Wayne Yoshioka, the director of the city’s Department of Transportation Services, sought a consultant to conduct a feasibility study on possibly restoring the transit service, i.e.,TheBoat ("Vessels city used for TheBoat pressed into service in Seattle," Star-Advertiser, April 19).

Did Yoshioka really need a consultant to determine whether to resurrect TheBoat?

It doesn’t take a genius to see that at the cost of $100-plus per ride and the few passengers paying $2 per ride, TheBoat will never float. Let’s hope TheTrain works out better. It will be difficult to send TheTrain to Seattle.

Barbara Krasniewski
Kailua