Letters

What good is the process?

East Oahu Sun — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

On Wednesday, the City Council pulled a fast one at the urging of city managing director, Kirk Caldwell. Approximately seven hours after council members unanimously agreed to recommit Bill 51 to committee and let it die, they passed it. This was after Chair Apo met with the Mayor during the afternoon hearing to discuss Bill 51.

Whether you support or oppose this bill, this method of passing legislation should not be allowed. If bills can be pulled back into session and voted on again after lobbying by the Mayor and Managing Director, what good is the process of committee hearings and council meetings?

It is important for people to understand that there is no guarantee that rates for homeowners will go down just because this bill was passed. In fact, they are likely to go up for everyone simply because assessed values have fallen and the budget deficit is expected to be at least $140M for next fiscal year.

The managing director is running for mayor. The mayor is running for governor. Bill 51 sounds like it will help homeowners save taxes. Homeowners vote. In my opinion, these are the reasons this bill was so important to the mayor and managing director that it had to be pulled out of the dust.

- Natalie Iwasa, Honolulu

East Oahu Sun Submission Policy

East Oahu Sun — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:21:19 +0000

The East Oahu Sun welcomes your letters, photos, comments and other editorial content. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of the East Oahu Sun. "Letters to the Editor" are subject to editing and should be no longer than 300 words. The East Oahu Sun reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. For verification purposes please include your name, address and phone number. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. The East Oahu Sun does not return letters, photos, poems or any other type of editorial content. Submissions should be mailed to the East Oahu Sun at P.O. Box 25130, Honolulu, HI, 96825, faxed to (808) 395-1998, or e-mailed to info@eastoahusun.com.

Friends of Kaiser PTSA salutes the “Kaiser High School Class of 2009”

East Oahu Sun — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Henry J. Kaiser High School held its on-campus commencement ceremony Friday, June 5th under sunny skies to award diplomas to its 258 graduating seniors. The ceremony featured music by the Kaiser High School Band, singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” and welcome address by Beau Brians, class president’s address by Brian Freeman and valedictory address by Sarah Kern. The class presented a spirited rendition of “Lean On Me,” led by Toapasi Toetu`u. The presentation of diplomas was followed by a “surprise” fireworks display from an anonymous neighbor. This year’s class featured 18 students meeting the requirements for valedictorian. There were 34 summa cum laude, 29 magna cum laude and 44 cum laude graduates. Members of the graduating class earned over $2.4 million dollars in awarded scholarships.

Following the graduation ceremony and congratulatory lei presentations by family and friends, 200 of the graduates proceeded to an all night alcohol and drug-free celebration at the annual Project Grad ceremony hosted by parents of the graduates. Seven trolley cars caravanned the noisy graduates to Dave and Buster’s where they enjoyed dinner, dancing, entertainment from an improv group as well as a hypnotist, in addition to after-hours use of the D&B arcade. Final goodbyes, led by Jim Hutchinson, class counselor, were held at sunrise at Sandy Beach before the exhausted graduates returned to campus to be claimed by their parents. Congratulations and best of luck to all members of the class of 2009 in your future endeavors. Go Cougars!

Friends of Kaiser PTSA

Budget cuts jeopardize proposed Wailupe science center

East Oahu Sun — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0000

The state’s budget woes and subsequent funding cuts to public schools may prevent the Department of Education from embarking on an exciting initiative in East Oahu.

The Education Department’s proposed conversion of the now-closed Wailupe Valley Elementary School into a science center is in jeopardy after a study found that it would cost some $2 million to retrofit and equip the campus.

Faced with the daunting task of slashing $468 million from public schools over the next two fiscal years, a Board of Education Committee on Administrative Services earlier this month was forced to recommend the return of the Wailupe Valley campus to its owner, the City and County of Honolulu.

Unless an outside donor were to step in and help support the center’s creation, it is likely – and unfortunate – that the school board will have to approve the committee’s decision and postpone indefinitely any plans for the envisioned science center.

Karen Knudsen

First Vice-Chairwoman

Hawaii Board of Education

Pedaling Toward a Bicycle Safe Hawaii - Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights

East Oahu Sun — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:00:07 +0000

Lack of physical activity, particularly among children, has raised concerns about the health of young and old alike. Diabetes and other diseases once only common in adults are now routinely diagnosed in children.

In addition, we have traffic problems in many places on Oahu. People think nothing of driving a mile or two to drop their children off at school.

Approximately 82 percent of trips five miles or less are made by car. Imagine the impact on traffic if those trips were made by bike or on foot.

On May 12, Hawaii will have its first-ever Bike and Walk to School Day. All schools are encouraged to participate in this event by asking parents, students and teachers to bike or walk to school. Participants can register at www.hawaiipedalpower.com to be eligible to win a commuter bicycle.

Over the past several years, the federal government has allotted Hawaii funds to be used under the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. Approximately $3.5 million of these funds are currently available to schools and others interested in improving safety for bicyclists and pedestrians near schools. This is a comprehensive program that involves engineering, education, enforcement, evaluation and encouragement to improve the safety of our roadways and sidewalks. Bike and Walk to School Day can be used to make a preliminary survey or evaluation of ways to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Let's get out of our cars and bike or walk with our children to school on this special day.

As a long-term solution to inactivity and traffic congestion, we need to look at how we design our communities and motivate people to travel from one location to another. Complete Streets is a policy that considers all users of our transportation system. Senate Bill 718, Complete Streets, has been sent to Governor Lingle. I urge her to sign it into law.

Natalie Iwasa, a.k.a. Bicycle Mom

Hawai'i Tea Party Participants Say "Enough!"

East Oahu Sun — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:09:07 +0000

April 15, 2009 ended up to be an amazing day! People around the country are tired of BIG Government and even BIGGER Spending. My family and I were fortunate enough to attend today's Tea Party at the Hawai'i State Capitol. I was so proud of both my sons as they sign-waved, people-watched and listened to the speakers. This wasn't a "Right Wing Radical" Protest as the current administration was trying to warn the public about. This was a gathering of people who are getting together to say enough is enough!!

All Tea Parties around the country were people of every walk of life, race and political parties standing up and ultimately drawing a line in the sand. Stop the spending! Stop big Government! I for one believe in capitalism and the freedom to work hard and enjoy the fruits of hard work. Let me be clear that this isn't a political party issue, as I have checked my beliefs at the door long ago. This is so much deeper. This is about what is right and what is wrong.

I hope today sparks something inside of everyone to detach from emotion and look at the situation we are in today and what we can do to prevent our freedoms, taxes and fundamentals of what America was founded on from being wiped away for good.

Ending here, again this isn't a political party issue, this is the everyday person tired of petty politics and foolish spending over the last few presidents to the current administration. It has come down to this, National Tea Parties today... accountability of our politicians tomorrow!

Heidi M. Kaumaka Wong

Ward Withdraws Support

East Oahu Sun — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:00:38 +0000

Ms. Nomura forgot to mention in her coverage of HB1310 (jet skiis in Maunalua Bay) that Rep. Gene Ward had withdrawn his support of that bill and the issue was dead. This was noted in the Town Hall meeting that she was writing about. But apparently, she didn't receive a copy of my handout that evening or hear my comments on the 10 o'clock news (Channel 4) stating my withdrawal of support.

Rep. Gene Ward, Hawaii Kai

Tokuda: Lone Ranger of Coastal Zone Management Protection

East Oahu Sun — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:00:24 +0000

Anyone interested in mauka to makai land and water use preservation and planning should take bold action like Senator Jill Tokuda did and oppose SB 1318 SD 1. Tokuda seems to be the lone ranger of Costal Zone Management protection and understands that its repeal removes most statutory protections for our beaches. SB 1318 SD1 relating to planning and economic development titled, "Coastal Zone Management; State Planning; Repeal" does just that: "repeals the chapters relating to coastal zone management and state planning, and transfers the authority and functions of the office of planning to DBEDT" despite DBEDT's public opposition to this proposed action. Unfortunately, SB 1318 SD 1 just crossed over to the House and made the Monday, March 16, 9:00 AM agenda for the Committee on Water, Land, and Ocean Resources. One can only hope our Representatives read SB 1318 SD1 and quickly understand the need to oppose it like Senator Tokuda did. Please help protect the state Office of Planning and the Costal Zone Management program from the pressures of the State's economic development arm. Contact your Representative today and ask them to oppose SB 1318 SD1.

Elizabeth Reilly, Hawaii Kai

Paradise for Sale: $1

East Oahu Sun — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:21:57 +0000

At 75 years old, I would have preferred not to have to fight any battles. But when I learned the State plans to commercialize the Pali Lookout and Ka Iwi Park to accommodate visitors in order to collect a fee, I told my grandson that it is time to put on the war paint. Shame on the Department of Land and Natural Resources for peddling paradise for $1 and further weakening Hawaii's gracious aloha spirit. But more importantly: this action promotes segregation between "us," local people and "them," the visitors. We need to strike Ka Iwi and the Pali Lookout from the DLNR's hit list, buried well within the glossy title of the state's "Recreational Renaissance." The overall plan had merit, but got sloppy towards the end when it took the "status quo" route to commercialize two important landmarks. Today's Diamond Park, complete with information center, T-shirt sales, nonstop huge buses of tourists and two fluorescent-lit soda vending machines represents changes we should not be proud of. This is not proper care of special places and it is very inconsiderate to future generations. I can only hope our Legislators see the writing on the wall: "Paradise for Sale for $1." "Visitors Keep Right, Locals Stay Left." Please join me in the protest to stop this madness. Email DLNR at: Laura.Thielen@hawaii.gov or get involved with an area grassroots group like Ka Iwi Coalition at www.hawaiikaihui.com.

Sara Yacuk, Hawaii Kai

Djou Should Get On Board

East Oahu Sun — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:22:01 +0000

It’s about time Councilman Djou got on board with rail transit for our island (1/9, “Do Rail Properly”). I hope he sticks to his word and supports building rail transit, something our island has needed for at least 20 years. I may not use rail because I live in East Honolulu, but I have plenty of friends and family who live on the West side who will use rail. They deserve rail for traffic relief, just like we deserved the widening of Kalanianaole Highway in the early 1990s.

Rail is a wise investment for our entire island. It will do much more than reduce traffic congestion: it will shrink the amount of oil we import, reduce our island’s carbon footprint, our emissions of greenhouse gases and support the development of UH West Oahu into a true university. We will become a much more sustainable island with rail. I voted for rail. I support rail. Now let’s build it!

Jonn Serikawa, Hawaii Kai