Letters to the Editor
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CRUISE INDUSTRY
LET NCL PUT CASINOS ON INTERISLAND VESSELS
Tim Guard's April 27 letter suggesting shipboard gambling is the solution to make NCL successful in Hawai'i is right on. Although I hate all forms of gambling, I know that Hawai'i needs to keep NCL in Hawai'i and this is the best way to do that.
Add these reasons to support shipboard gambling:
The state will collect gambling taxes from NCL and this could mean millions.
If shipboard gambling turns out to be a mistake and the state has "sunset" enabling legislation, all the state has to do is tell the owners to stop gambling when the law expires.
With shipboard gambling, the gaudy casinos are located on a gambling ship anchored or sailing well offshore. Unlike land-based casinos, shipboard gambling is not in our hotels, not in our communities and not in our face.
Shipboard gambling ensures a "zero tolerance" for drugs. The U.S. Coast Guard will not permit drugs on board any vessels in Hawaiian waters. Also, the ship owners and operators must drug-screen all personnel. Gambling operators will not risk the loss of their vessels to illicit drugs.
Land-based casinos do not have this layer of federal protection.
The citizens of Hawai'i who are concerned about Hawai'i's ability to regulate gambling will find comfort in the layers of control and oversight by the state and federal governments that are required for shipboard gambling.
Instead of chasing off the foreign-flagged cruise ships to give NCL the exclusive that it says it needs to be successful, give NCL the exclusive gambling permit and let the other cruise ships just offer the tour experience.
Bob HamptonHawai'i Kai
BENEFITS
FILIPINO VETS ARE OWED WHAT U.S. PROMISED
I can see my old Filipino friend now. He used to cut our hair free — "chawan" cut (my brother, my sisters, mine) — in the 1940s on Kaua'i.
I can hear Jose say, "Wow, both Honolulu newspapers backing us up! We may still get what America promised us so long ago when we fought side by side. Why they rescinded that promise, I don't know, but maybe they'll admit it was wrong before we all die. (Jose is long dead). I don't know why America is worried that there will be a few rich old Filipino men in the barrios strutting around every month showing off their money. Maybe they think we're going to brag about it and make the poor people feel bad. Don't they know we always share? Don't they know that in America there is already a small bunch of super rich and a whole mess of angry, struggling poor? So why don't they equalize wealth — or poverty — there first? Aiee!"
And Jose's gentle figure fades away — America! What are you going to do this time around?
Yoshie Ishiguro TanabeHonolulu
FULFILL PROMISES TO AMERICAN VETS FIRST
The $221 million to be paid to Filipino World War II vets for fighting for their own country is another example of the incompetence that plagues Congress.
Once the Philippines gained independence, we owed nothing to that country; especially after we were refused from using bases there.
Even though some Filipino vets are now U.S. citizens, why should we pay them when our own U.S. WWII vets were promised a lifetime of free medical care and have yet to get that fulfilled? That $221 million would go a long way to prop up the VA for U.S. WWII vets.
Sponsors said that this $221 million would not be taken from current VA funding. Where is it coming from? This money from U.S. taxpayers could go towards the betterment of U.S. citizens' lives, such as renewable energy or disease research.
Or Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, sponsor of the bill, could have put that money toward Hawai'i primary education. Now my 9-year-old son will be paying this debt over the next decade.
Let's fulfill the promises to U.S. vets first.
David WatkinsHawai'i Kai
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHANOL REQUIREMENT MAKING THINGS WORSE
It's been over a year since the Legislature and governor imposed the ethanol requirement in Hawai'i, with the following results:
Alternatives to oil-based fuels are a good initiative, but ethanol is not the right choice. Requiring us to use ethanol is just making things worse.
Richard FucikKalaoa, Hawai'i
PRO FOOTBALL
MAYBE BRENNAN OPTED FOR HONOR OVER MONEY
Good grief! Your article on April 29, "Brennan pays big price for loyalty," just seems to reinforce the notion that winning is everything and money is the primary reason for doing virtually anything.
I don't know Colt Brennan and only follow sports second-hand, but perhaps his decision to remain at the University of Hawai'i was based on honor and the desire to achieve something academically.
To stress a perceived loss in monetary value as being more important than Mr. Brennan's achievements and aspirations while at UH — well, doesn't that send a message of misplaced priorities to the community?
Do we want to teach our kids about honor and loyalty, or do we want to just get them running in the stampede to succeed — a stampede that will crush some of them and cause others to do virtually anything to amass money?
I hope we choose the former option.
Ann LeightonLihu'e, Kaua'i
O'AHU TRASH
CITY DOING GOOD JOB IN ROLLING OUT RECYCLING
Lynda Arakawa's article on recycling was very well-developed, but I got a bad taste in my mouth when I read the comment by Sierra Club director Jeff Mikulina, who took a swipe at the city for what he calls "an incredibly slow rollout."
Mikulina's piggy bank must be missing a few nickels. An islandwide rollout doesn't happen overnight. The expansion was announced April 4, but he continues to sucker-punch the city for its thorough evaluation and progress.
Does Mikulina not remember when the previous administration tried curbside recycling, only to have its efforts plagued by labor disputes, bidder protests and the purchase of more than 50,000 recycling bins? Does he want to see history repeated? I don't think so.
The best and most effective way to implement curbside recycling is to use a phase-in program, because that allows the city to better manage operating costs; obtain bins and distribute them in an economical and well-organized way; educate communities about changes; train the workforce; and execute needed contracts.
Communities need to be well-informed about the benefits of recycling, and about the way the program works, rather than have it jammed down their throats.
The city's Department of Environmental Services strategically opted to phase communities in this time so it would not jeopardize the program. Furthermore, the mayor directed the department to "do it right the first time" with recycling, saving both time and money in the long run. That's something each and every O'ahu resident can appreciate.
Markus OwensPublic communications officer, city Department of Environmental Services
INFRASTRUCTURE
KAILUAN WELCOMES NEW SEWER PROJECT
For too many years, Kailua residents have had to stay out of the ocean following a heavy rain because of sewage spills.
So I am excited that the city is building upon its successful replacement of the Kalaheo Avenue sewer line by initiating $75 million worth of sewer replacements around Kailua.
The temporary inconvenience is a small price for us to have a leak-free collection system.
Judith MelvinKailua
