It would be a shame if the La Mariana Sailing Club is forced out due to the expiration of its lease (“La Mariana Sailing Club faces uncertain future as its lease is set to expire in April,” Star-Advertiser, March 25).

The restaurant and tiki bar are treasures reminiscent of what Hawaii used to be. All the other tiki bars and local- flavor haunts have disappeared (Trader Vic’s, Tahitian Lanai, Queen’s Surf, Willows, Fisherman’s Wharf, and South Seas, to name a few).

We are left with sterile imitations of the old Hawaii.

We don’t need another cookie-cutter restaurant at Keehi Lagoon with no ties to the past.

The La Mariana lease should be grandfathered as long as the owners keep operating it as is.

John Faris

Waikiki

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