The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce endorses PUEO’s recent commentary in support of a “world park” upon Mauna Kea that would be a “living museum of the people of the First Nation of Hawaii” (“Mauna Kea’s future,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 28).

A world park created, established, managed and operated by Native Hawaiians could be a unique enterprise to provide meaningful career opportunities for island-born youth while teaching residents and visitors more about Hawaiian cultural contributions.

The state of Hawaii’s educational goal is to have 55 percent of adults earn a college degree by 2025. But unless Hawaii can offer those graduates attractive careers, we will continue to export our best and brightest to other places. Hawaii becomes less Hawaiian with each native son or daughter who leaves home in search of a better future elsewhere.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz co-sponsored the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act to help fund and develop initiatives such as the world park envisioned by PUEO. The act requires federal agencies to support the nation’s indigenous peoples in showcasing their history and living cultures.

Teri Freitas Gorman

President, Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce

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Local issues need attention, action

1. The rail transit line should be changed to street level from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center. If this change is made, existing approved funding should be sufficient to complete the project.

2. Honolulu Country Club needs to dredge clean its waterways of all underwater trash, debris and mud (where rotten egg smell is generated), and trim away all overhanging tree branches over the waterways. Until this is done, the waterways will continue to be a problem for neighboring residents.

3. The property tax break for owners of “historic residences” should be eliminated. Owners of such properties are not paying their fair share of property taxes to pay for the operation of city functions.

4. Smoking in condominiums and apartments should be banned (like it is in public places). Second-hand smoke is a health problem for residents living in such structures because such smoke does spread and readily enter neighboring units, unlike in detached homes. Smoking should be allowed only in an outside designated smoking area.

Stephen Kabei

Salt Lake

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Save $1 billion with alternatives to rail

Please allow me to clarify my statement, reported in the article, “Legislators make little headway on settling rail funding” (Star-Advertiser, July 5).

I did not say spend $100 million studying alternatives to elevated steel-on-steel rail.

I said pick one of the less-expensive alternatives, like at-grade, mag-lev or dedicated bus rapid transit. Members of the building industry told me we can’t adopt a less expensive system because a new environmental impact statement would cost $100 million.

My response: If we build mass transit that goes to Waikiki and the University of Hawaii, and it costs $1 billion less than the current system, don’t we all come out ahead?

Saying we can’t cut our losses because it means doing a new EIS is ridiculous.

Sen. Laura Thielen

District 25 (Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, Kailua)

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Caldwell should rethink priorities

What are the mayor’s priorities? He recently dedicated a new bicycle lane on South Street, complete with a freshly paved lane and green-and-white striping.

Yet a short distance up Queen Street, the sidewalk in front of the fire station has been completely torn up for a long time, with numerous pukas creating trip hazards for seniors who live in the area.

His priorities seem to be the boondoggle fiasco called the rail project, from which some people are making a lot of money. The others must be bicycle lanes and harassing the homeless, who have to live somewhere.

It’s sad to think that Charles Djou might have been mayor if he hadn’t foolishly said that he was for elevated rail from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center.

Bob Kruse

Kakaako

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Rail will benefit everyone on Oahu

Rail will benefit all. Residents not directly serviced by rail will benefit in many indirect ways at work, shopping or pleasure.

Drivers from these areas will find less competition for parking, less traffic congestion and possibly less development in their neighborhood.

With rail, development will continue heavily on the leeward side and along the rail. This will provide opportunities for your families to buy their own homes.

Jobs also will be created from these activities.

Everyone has friends or relatives who live in different places on Oahu, so let’s continue to practice aloha and encourage our elected official to provide funding for completion of the rail to Ala Moana.

Leonard Leong

Manoa

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Edmund Louis a karate treasure

In May 13, Hawaii lost one of the truly great men of the state when Grand Master Edmund Louis of Pearl City passed away.

For the last 36 years, Mr. Louis held the Leeward Kenpo “Kajukenbo” Karate State Championships on Oahu, one of the longest continuous martial arts tournaments in Hawaii.

The tournaments always were attended by some of the state’s other martial arts luminaries.

Mr. Louis in his lifetime has inspired, taught and mentored hundreds of young people throughout Hawaii and around the world through his passion for the martial arts.

Many young people transferred their dedication and professionalism from his example to their civilian endeavors, becoming doctors, lawyers and responsible citizens of our great country.

Mr. Louis is a national treasure who never has sought the spotlight and the fame he so richly deserved. He will be missed.

Robert W. Holub

Ewa Beach