PLDC threatens aina of Native Hawaiians

Mililani Trask is a strong proponent of the Public Land Development Corp.,but we need not sacrifice our ceded lands, the legacy of our Hawaiian ancestors, to the PLDC to accommodate geothermal development proposed by Trask and the Innovations Development Group ("Mililani Trask," Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, Feb. 15).

Nor do we need the PLDC to get cheaper electricity through a publicly owned utility. Trask isn’t concerned that the PLDC could develop hotels, subdivisions, condos or parking lots by ignoring environmental and zoning laws.

Native Hawaiians must protect our aina from ruthless, profiteering investors.The PLDC board would have no oversight or transparency. Our island communities have come out against the PLDC, including the county councils of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai. Our state House and Senate have voted for repeal.

Utilizing people power, thus far we have avoided a land grab. But, we must be vigilant.

Moanike‘ala Akaka
Hilo

Red-light cameras nothing but trouble

I once lived in a Tennessee town with two red-light cameras at one intersection. The retail stores in that area almost closed their businesses because everyone avoided the intersection. No one (including me) would turn right after stopping at the red light, causing traffic congestion. The driver did not want to risk receiving a ticket for rolling through a red light.

The cameras take a picture of the driver’s face as well as the license plate. The traffic courts were overwhelmed with argumentative "violators." Red-light cameras are not a good idea.

Paul Wiley
Kapolei

Why the rush to give out free bus passes?

Recently there was an article in the newspaper that free bus passes for the disabled and seniors are being considered ("Bill makes TheBus free for disabled and seniors," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 16).

I was taken aback, because everyone remembers that not too long ago bus passengers were being severely inconvenienced when bus routes were cut back due to shortage of funds.

At that time, some of us were thinking that most seniors could afford a slight increase in the bus rates and perhaps the bus schedule would be maintained at the same level.Realizing that some people could not afford a higher payment, could there be a system to reduce the cost for the needy?Why consider a sweeping change to a free bus pass to all disabled and seniors, when most can pay their fare share?

Elaine Park
Waikiki

Maybe give bus aid based on low income

I can suggest a simple and fair way to increase revenues for the bus system and thus quickly restore service cuts that affect students, seniors and the poor disproportionately ("Don’t eliminate bus revenues," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 19).

Do not provide free or reduced bus fares for all seniors, studentsor disabled people (I am a senior and use the senior bus pass). Instead, require these people to get a pass at a satellite City Hall (not, as currently, at the inconveniently located Bus Center in Iwilei). The pass could be free to students, seniors or disabled people if they also have a food stamp card or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) card. Those without such proof of low income could pay either the going rate or a slightly reduced rate.

Many seniors with higher incomes feel as I do, that we should be paying our fair share for bus service. But use the money to restore service.

Beppie Shapiro
Maunalani Heights

City misinterpreting business–in-parks ban

Contrary to the Star-Advertiser article ("Ban on business at Kailua Beach imperils events at all city parks," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 13), Bill 5, the city law that took effect last summer, should have no effect on this year’s Pineapple Festival in Wahiawa or the Haleiwa Arts Festival.

The law reads: "Commercial activities, including recreational stops by tour companies, shall not be allowed at any time at Kailua Beach Park and Kalama Beach Park, except as otherwise provided in this chapter for commercial filming activities."

No reasonable person would interpret this to mean that commercial activities are not allowed at any city parks other than those specified.

Why are city attorneys misinterpreting the law?

There is a permitting process for nonprofit fundraising events. The reason a nonprofit might not have a permit would be because it didn’t apply for one or it did and the director decided not to approve it.

Pauline Mac Neil
Kailua

Kudos to contractor for talking about UH

Your article regarding alleged mismanagement by the University of Hawaii’s associate vice president for capital improvements is an eye-opener ("UH VP accused of mismanagement," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 19).

Congratulations to Dennis Mitsunaga for bringing this up in the open while others remain silent.

The bill to correct this problem, Senate Bill 1383, passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and then, on the same day, it was killed by the Senate Economic Development Committee. I wonder why. Might there be some wheeling and dealing behind closed doors?

Who are the members of the committee? Are there conflicts of interest? We should try to find out.

Tony Tan
Waialae Iki

GMO foods should have content labels

It’s time to speak up for labeling of "genetically engineered" foods known as GE or GMO foods. House Bill 174 and Senate Bill 615 are in process.

This is a food issue of our time. Twenty-nine countries ban growing GMOs or putting them in food, and 61 countries restrict or label them. What do they know that we do not, and why do our companies not provide GMO labels for us in America, but do for them?

The Food and Drug Administration claims the individual ingredients alone are safe. What are the cumulative health effects when you combine GMO foods in each meal over time? Genetic engineering has many issues to resolve. Protect your health and genetic lines. Without GMO labels, we don’t have or give informed consent.

Unmani Cynthia Groves
Kihei, Maui

Sequestration cuts won’t be ‘devastating’

Last week, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono described the "devastating cuts" associated with the sequester.

In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama reported that "the state of the union is strong," but later said that failure to repeal the sequester could "tip the nation back into recession" and "people will lose their jobs."

Frightening words, but are they accurate?Although fiscal year 2012 federal expenditures totaled $3.6 trillion, the sequester is only $85 billion, or 2.4 percent of federal expenditures and 7.5 percent of last year’s $1.1 trillion deficit. Not insignificant, but devastating?

If trillion-dollar-plus deficits were labeled "devastating," no one could argue. Job losses and a double-dip recession associated with attempting to immediately eliminate deficits totaling 30 percent of federal expenditures also would be devastating.

Can our economy be described as strong, however, if reducing a $1.1 trillion deficit by $85 billion would be devastating?If so, then unless the president and Congress begin addressing the reality of our nation’s real fiscal plight, soon enough everyone will learn what "devastation" really means.

David L. Mulliken
Diamond Head

FROM THE FORUM

"Public land sought for artists’ lofts," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18:

» Since when are public lands meant to be used exclusively for nonprofits, Hawaiians, "starving" artists, etc.? What special interest comes next, vegetarians?

» Creating affordable living homes for artists? What the heck is wrong with this picture? Can someone who works for a fast food joint or even a teacher live in those quarters also?

» Living in Hawaii is particularly difficult for those artists who haven’t "arrived" yet due to the extremely high costs of living. What would you have them do, take up living in a park or on the beach in order to create? Three cheers for those who "get it" with this far-sighted effort to create housing for artists.

———

"City rethinks plan for building in park," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18:

» Park land is for the people, not another city building that will soon fall into disrepair, a maintenance money pit. Put the building in an industrial/regular building area where it belongs.

» If the yoga ladies don’t want it there, well then, it’s got to go. City planning by yoga ladies.

» The public demands lifeguard services but is not willing to provide the tools they need to do the job.

———

"Swim with great white causes buzz," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 19:

» Like the Crocodile Hunter, the animal activist who got stabbed and died from a stingray barb, this woman is pushing her luck, and, if she continues to swim unprotected with the great whites, one day one great white is going to do what it is programmed in its DNA to do and find her flesh a tasty meal. What is worse is the copycats who also want to be an Internet sensation will follow in her footsteps and eventually someone is going to be eaten alive and there will be film of the shark eating the person, which guaranteed will be the ultimate online video because that is what the whole world really wants to see.

» Sharks don’t target humans on purpose. She’s trying to stop the blatant ignorance people express in regard to sharks and educate them about an extremely misunderstood animal.

———

"Ala Moana Sears will close June 2, earlier than expected, workers told," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 19:

» That’s just too bad to see Sears closing in June. I was raised as part of the Sears ohana. My mom was one of the original employees who started at the Beretania store, which eventually turned into HPD headquarters. I along with others will miss Sears at Ala Moana Center. Aloha, Sears, for all the great memories and merchandise that you have carried all these years.

» Only Ala Moana Sears is slated to close down. Still got Pearl Ridge and Kaneohe mall locations. Just gotta travel a bit farther for your Sears fix.

———

"State might OK red-light cameras," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 20:

» These lawmakers are shaking down the taxpayers for every penny they can. Did the lawmakers have a straight face when they said this is for "safety" and not money? They must have had to try really hard to not laugh. Give me a break. How many people are hurt from cars not coming to a complete and full stop at red light? Huh? Get mad, Oahu. Your lawmakers are taking you for fools.

» If you don’t run red lights, you have nothing to fear from these cameras. If you lend your car out to someone who drives through red lights, it’s your problem — don’t lend your car out to people you can’t trust. Too many people are getting seriously hurt or killed by irresponsible drivers. These cameras just might save the life of a loved one.

» With the large number of rental cars, who would pay the fines and who would get the tickets?

———

"Haleiwa land might become canoe site," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 21:

» City Council Chairman Ernest Martin has a great idea! We have hotel and resort districts on Oahu. We need more parks and canoe hales and access to fishponds. Haleiwa Beach Park mauka is a treasure and should never be sold.

» So much better than a hotel.

» What? No Ferris wheel?

———

"Escapee recaptured blocks from court," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 21:

» Guess he found out after running away from officers that there was really no place to go.

» Why even bother escaping when you have tattoos all over yourself? You’re not getting away for long.

» No leg shackles? How incompetent. It cost the taxpayers a lot of money for the manhunt.