Thank you for your thoughtful editorial stanceagainst the Waimalu zipline proposed for the forested areaabove theRoyal Summit neighborhood by Towne Development ("Waimalu no place for tourist zip line," Star-Advertiser, Our View, May 28).

I have one correction.

Some 1,500 signatures were gatheredthrough a grassroots campaignorganized and headed by a proactive Newtown resident: Jerry Matsuda.

The anti-zip line group received noassistance from the Newtown Estates Community Association. In fact, itsboard of directors voted not to be involved with this campaign. The Aiea Neighborhood Board was much more positive.

Our small group was not given access to association residents’ names, addresses and/or phone numbers, which would have made the petitioning process easier. It was mainly through a neighborhoodhouse-to-house walkabout that signatures were collected and collated.

The anti-zip line group forwarded the petition directly to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources with Matsuda’s cover letter.

Joel Tanaka
Aiea

Culture is living, breathing thing

First it was the Superferry, then GMOs, next pesticides, and finally we are at the Thirty Meter Telescope.

The activists are once again using emotional arguments, this time to garner support to end the project. They are also using the clash between culture and science, and it’s gotten ugly.

Culture is living and breathing in everyone and more than the symbolism of a mountain or taro.

Tearing down people’s dreams for the future is not something a culture does. It’s supposed to help support those who strive to be better and inspire others.

Isn’t that the common ground needed for preserving the culture?

Joni Kamiya
Kaneohe

Bilingual tests not without cost

A recent article noted the settlement of a lawsuit claiming discrimination against drivers with limited English skills ("Deal mandates non-English driver exams," Star-Advertiser, May 30).

The District Court in Kamuela displays a poster offering foreign language interpretation in 24 languages. What do these interpretation services cost us? We aren’t doing anyone a favor by not forcing foreigners who choose to live in America to learn English.

Wouldn’t they be more job-ready, school-ready and better able to assimilate, if they learned English?

Why not free, mandatory English classes?

We would see fewer terrorists shooting up Mohammad cartoon contests and other intolerances if we all spoke English and showed a respect for the rule of law.

Michelle "Mikie" Kerr
Waikoloa, Hawaii island

HSTA leadership failed members

Sharon Mahoe said "airing dirty laundry in public is not helpful" ("HSTA board deserves praise for ordering new elections," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 27).

What should be done when the Hawaii State Teachers Association fails to address dirty laundry internally fairly and honestly?

We must go public.

HSTA received one election challenge, filed by me, against the current officers and board members for violating campaign rules. It was followed by a complaint to the judicial panel for mishandling of the original challenge. This was the only election issue sent to the judicial panel prior to the votes being counted.

HSTA’s board of directors looked for reasons not to approve. The "irregularities" didn’t warrant a new election.

Does the re-do address the problems?

Dirty laundry is piling up. Time for airing out, even some cleaning house.

HSTA failed the members.

Karolyn Mossman
Former HSTA vice president

Shorter rail line would be great

What a good idea, terminating the rail monolith in Iwilei and avoiding useless downtown disruption.

Deleting about a third of the planned construction expense would mean the project would finish close to original estimates, so there would be no need forperpetual tax increases to fund budget overruns.

The shorter rail run would bother Kakaako speculators, but benefit Honolulu as a whole, including parts of downtown that are looking pretty seedy. The short commuter walk to taxis and buses or directly to jobs and schools would augment downtown foot traffic and help businesses needing an economic boost. And some urban planners believe that policing and financial policy tied to increased middle-class presence in urban spaces can upgrade a neighborhood’s social structure.

A rail destination change would be a good deal: We would trade something we don’t need for something we do. Is there any real political leadership out there willing to make it happen?

Dan Binkley
Makiki