Groundbreaking was a bit suspicious

If being on par with Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Beijing is such a wonderful thing for Honolulu, why were its residents excluded from the groundbreaking of the Waiea luxury tower, which is supposed to make our city, according to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, a "first-rate, first-class product" ("High-rises set stage for future, mayor says," Star-Advertiser, June 8)?

We’re told the 1118 address is propitious for Chinese buyers. Isn’t it telling, then, that sales numbers of local buyers are not available?

This merely reinforces the image of lack of transparency that the Hawaii Community Development Authority has maintained throughout the entire Kakaako planning process.

With thousands of new residents moving into the area, how does Caldwell plan to provide greater "availability" ofAla Moana Beach Park, a decidedly finite resource?

Then again, perhaps the owners of the multimillion-dollar condos won’t want to mingle with local hoi polloi, and instead hop on their private jets to enjoy the lesser populated beaches of a neighbor island.

Rike Weiss
Niu Valley

801 South will help supply housing

As a first-time homebuyer who recently put down a deposit for an apartment in 801 South, Building B, I view the subject of your editorial from a different perspective ("Comply with preservation law," Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 6).

This lawsuit was filed by a group of homeowners at Royal Capitol Plaza, the building next to 801 South.The only preservation these folks care about is the one that preserves their view, even if it means preventing hundreds of Hawaii families and young people like me from owning one of the relatively few affordable homes in the downtown area.

Preserving Hawaii’s past is important.But let’s be sure we understand the true motivation behind this lawsuit and that preserving opportunities for home ownership for Hawaii’s middle class is also important.

Kawika Fiddler
Nuuanu

Put kids of DOE staff in public schools

There is a very simple way to make Hawaii’s public schools the envy of the whole nation, and it wouldn’t take any more studies or fancy evaluations.

If the state Department of Education’s superintendent, administrators, principals, vice-princi- pals, counselors, and, yes, even teachers, would take their own children out of private schools and put them in public schools, all of our public schools would become bastions of excellence.

There is only one potential problem: Private school enrollment might decline.

Norman Gibson
Pawaa

Allow gambling on new Superferry

The Superferry would be feasible but only under certain circumstances ("Keeping Super- ferry afloat doesn’t seem feasible," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, June 8):

» Complete an environmental impact statement before the project gets under way.

» Find a private investor with money to burn, butonly if the state is willing to do something radical.

Which brings me to:

» Legalize gambling on the ferry.

I know gambling is a taboo word. However, if Hawaii wants to entice an investor, the state has to demonstrate there will be a return on investment.Millions go to Las Vegas every year. There would be investors willing to pay. The ferry could sit in port for a few extra hours. This would allow gamblers to come aboard andplay a few games before the ship departs.The state would get its cut.

If Hawaiiwants another mode of interisland transportation, this could be a wayto finance it.

Robert K. Soberano
Moiliili

UH should host senior living facility

David Lassner, the University of Hawaii’s new president, said that one of his plans for UH was to leverage the value of the University’s 17,000 acres of land holdings ("David Lassner steps into the role of president," Star-Advertiser, June 5).

I can think of no better way to utilize this property than to build a high-end senior living facility on the Manoa campus. Many universities are already doing this with great success.

The benefit to UH, aside from potentially creating a substantial new revenue stream via the rental or purchase of these units, is immense.

Senior citizens bring age diversity, professional experience, and of course, money (not to mention future donations) to a college environment.

Senior living facilities are sorely lacking in Hawaii and waiting lists are long for luxury properties. Whether it is an independ- ent living, residential living or continuing-care retirement facility, a well-located, well-run retirement community could be Lassner’s claim to fame — and this aging senior’s new home.

Terry Joiner
Waialae-Kahala