Turtle Bay plans good for area

I am a member of the Kahuku Burial Committee.

Decisions come from the developer, residents and kupuna on our committee.

Our goal is to malama the iwi kupuna.

I have read the brochure that was presented by Turtle Bay Resort. My questions on ocean-quality monitoring, agricultural land preservation, shoreline access, wildlife preservation and residential housing were adequately answered.

I support this project based on the above observations and the track record of Turtle Bay’s contribution to our community.

Many of our residents have been employed from the beginning and have been employed for more than 30 years. Some will have an opportunity to own homes. The younger generation can take over the jobs of their parents and have an opportunity to revive this aina.

Warren Soh
Kahuku

Kakaako park in bad condition

As a young resident of Hawaii, I feel the need to inform you about the decay of our public parks.

On a recent evening, I was visiting Kakaako Waterfront Park and noticed heaps of malodorous debris and trash along the oceanfront promenade.

Numerous bricks were missing from the paths, posing a safety issue.

The facilities had no functioning lights, no privacy and no soap. The faucets were so loose that they could have come out of the sink while in operation.

The upkeep here appears to be very substandard. In addition, the purpose of parks is to have a clean, enjoyable place for people to relax, which is not being provided at Kakaako park. Moreover, this park could leave visitors with a lasting negative impression of Hawaii, taking business out of our tourist industry.

I sincerely hope that measures will be taken to rectify this problem and restore these public places.

Jacob Dyrud
Kahala

One-party state not responsive

In a one-party state, the majority has revealed that power overrides the common good.

Once the power structure is in place, whatever the majority party does, ipso facto, becomes the common good.

Test this hypothesis:

Create a constituent caucus in your neighborhood. Link it up with other caucuses in your voting precinct. Within your caucus, define your needs. Rank them in order of urgency.

You may seek assistance to resolve them from the federal executive and your congressional delegation, the state executive and Legislature, and those elected to city and county offices.

Keep a listing of those elected officials who do not or cannot help, then vote them out of office, as a well-informed, community caucus network that votes as a bloc.

Robert Tellander
Honolulu

New city director is well-qualified

This is in response to the letter from Tadahiko Ono, who should verify his facts concerning Mike Formby, acting city director of transportation services ("New city directors seem thinly qualified," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 6).

Had Ono researched Formby’s experience and background, he would have realized before sending his demeaning letter that Formby is highly qualified to serve as Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s transportation director.

Formby’s experience is not limited to the following:

» Administered program management of transportation systems for the U.S. Air Force.

» As deputy director of the state Department of Transportation, was responsible for management of eight commercial harbors and regional traffic impacts.

» Secured competitive transportation grants.

» Worked tirelessly with communities in designing and implementation of transportation projects to improve quality of life.

» Has wide experience working with federal, state and local governments.

Formby’s background more than qualifies him to serve with distinction as the city transportation director.

Joseph M. Magaldi Jr.
Former city transportation director