‘Public-private park’ is squishy concept

It is sad to think that the city is considering selling Haleiwa land, originally slated for a community park, to an investor who wants to build a hotel on that parcel and who has offered a "public-private park" instead ("Haleiwa land might be auctioned," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 12).

Can someone please tell me what a public-private park is? Will the public have to be guests of the hotel to enjoy this park? Will there be a section roped off in this park for public and another section for hotel guests?

Yes, we face economic challenges at this time, but losing focus and selling parcels of land without community concern is not the answer.

Keep the North Shore country. Keep park lands in public hands.

Mahina Chillingworth
Vice president, Hui o He‘e Nalu Haleiwa

Keep Haleiwa land in public domain

I am very disappointed in the Star-Advertiser’s view on selling the Haleiwa beach park parcel, which is public land and a park ("City should sell Haleiwa parcel," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 14). Organizations have been spreading public awareness and support to save this park, and in addition have helped clean it up.

If this land parcel is sold, a hotel will be built, more traffic congestion will occur and public land will be lost.

We do not want that. Take a poll and see for yourself.

It seems the issue is about profit and not the people of Hawaii.

Ben Mercier
Kaaawa

Critic of rail critics revealed her elitism

I would like to thank Rebecca Wyatt for articulating her view that those of us who believe that the proposed rail system might not work quite as well as advertised are a bunch of ignorant people who refuse to acknowledge the wisdom of our betters — or, as she put it, it is "time to educate the public" (whom she characterizes as "uninformed people") with "factually correct counterpoints" ("Benefits of rail need more publicity," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 14).

I also thank her for the public service she rendered by stating that it misleads the public for the Star-Advertiser to present the point of view of those who persist in pointing out any potential pitfalls of this project, and that this paper should confine itself to "accurately reporting" that the rail project will only have a "positive impact."

Hopefully her letter scolding us ignorant masses will help galvanize public opinion — although we recalcitrant proles have this obnoxious habit of voting irrationally when chastised by our betters.

Jim Henshaw
Chair, Libertarian Party of Hawaii

Rail needed for future generations

I’m not surprised with the results of your poll, since 46 percent of those you polled were 55 years and older ("Rail support falls," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 12).

These folks may feel they don’t need rail because they won’t be working and commuting by the time rail is up and running and traffic won’t be an issue to them. But what about future generations?

We cannot forget that rail is being built for 20 years down the road, when both the state and the city say our population would grow by several hundred thousand more island residents. Most of this new population will live west of the stadium, and current residents already endure horrendous traffic every day.

If we don’t build rail, what will the future be like with two-hour-plus commutes from Leeward or Central Oahu? What kind of quality of life are we providing for them?

Rolland Badua
Kaimuki

Israel has every right to protect itself

Regarding the article, "Discretion advised — An Israeli attack on Iran would undercut U.S. efforts to defuse that nation’s nuclear ambitions" (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 2): Israel has every right to protect itself from all nations committed to destroy her.

The United States has no problem in attacking other countries when our national security is not at risk.

President George W. Bush attacked Iraq based on false information. Saddam Hussein was hanged and we ended up with the longest war in United States history.

President Barack Obama attacked Libya without congressional approval when there was no threat to the United States and Moammar Gadhafi was killed.

So where does the U.S. government get the audacity to tell Israel not to attack Iran, when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made it very clear that Israel should be destroyed?

I fully support Israel’s right to protect itself against her enemies without prior approval from anyone.

James G. Borden
Hilo

Big Isle vog victims waging losing fight?

There was a small town along the Mississippi River that used to suffer severe damage every time the river would overflow its banks. And every time the town flooded, state and federal money was used to repair the damage. Then after the 1993 flood, with the help of the state and federal government, the town decided to move to higher ground and let Mother Nature win.

By all accounts, Kilauea’s Halemaumau Crater will continue to spew volcanic ash for a long time to come. Instead of the government subsidizing their operations, perhaps it’s time for farmers to give up trying to grow crops and flowers and raise cattle in areas that receive this ash, and let Mother Nature win.

Wim Blees
Mililani

Advertise Hawaii during Super Bowl

More than 100 million people watched the Super Bowl live. It presented an incredible opportunity for marketers. The cost of this year’s 30-second ads averaged $3.5 million.

Why not have the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau run an ad in a Super Bowl? We would have an attentive and much wider viewing audience.

We and the NFL have profited from the Pro Bowl. But with more than 100 million Super Bowl viewers versus 12.5 million Pro Bowl viewers, why not go for something greater?

William Geiger Jr.
Makakilo