OBAMA'S AFGHANISTAN PLAN SHOULD RILE PROTESTERS
President Barack Hussein Obama is considering expanding the war in Afghanistan, possibly sending up to 30,000 more troops at a time when U.S. deaths are near an all-time high.
Where are the anti-war protesters?
Sam Cablayan
Kahana
*****
Fact Box
GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS
In order to expedite the process of receiving, editing and publishing submissions to Letters on the Opinion pages, The Maui News has established the following guidelines:
-- Letters must not exceed 250 words.
-- Writers are limited to two published letters per month.
-- Handwritten letters are not accepted.
-- Every submission must include the writer's name, community and a phone number where the writer can be reached. The number is not published.
-- Letters submitted via e-mail (letters@mauinews.com) or the Virtual Newsroom on The Maui News Web site (www.mauinews.com) are given priority.
-- Poetry is not accepted.
-- All letters are subject to editing.
-- Viewpoints are limited to subjects particular to Maui County or the State of Hawaii, and the writer must have proven expertise in connection with the subject. Advance queries before submitting Viewpoints are advised.
The Letters section is among the most popular features of The Maui News and submissions on subjects of general interest are welcome. Adherence to the guidelines above will allow for the publication of a greater volume of letters on a wider range of issues from a more diverse group of writers. Thanks to all contributors to the Letters section for your cooperation.
-- The Maui News
MAUI NEWS' NEW LETTERS POLICY IS GOOD
Your new policy on letters? I like it (as long as this doesn't count as one of my two letters a month).
Emily Bott
Wailuku
*****
MAUI PITBULL RESCUE DESERVES SUPPORT
Attention all Maui bully kennels, bully community and bully lovers:
Recently, our kennel paid a visit to the Maui Pitbull Rescue in Haiku. It was amazing to see what Kawika and Gina are doing out there. They take in unwanted, neglected, abused and death row dogs from our local shelter. They provide them with food, shelter, veterinary care, medication, socialization, interaction with other dogs, exercise and, most of all, love. They have roughly 52 dogs and take in dogs daily. They go though about 40 pounds of dog food daily.
They adopt out the dogs to good homes, so if you are thinking of getting a dog as a pet please check out our local shelters first. This is a no-kill shelter. Expenses are paid out of their own pockets except for donations.
They are always in needed of new and used kennels, dog food, dog houses and monetary donations. Our kennel donated three bags of dog food, a used kennel, pulling harnesses, three dog bowls and two leashes.
Donations can be mailed to Maui Pitbull Rescue, 99 Kane Road, Haiku 96708.
Roxanne Cadorna
Blue Pacific Kennelz
Wailuku
*****
LAHAINA HALLOWEEN WAS A GREAT EVENT
My wife and I have a condo in Maalaea and come here to reside each year in different seasons. This year our visit is through November and we were excited to be here during Halloween. It has been years since our stay coincided with this festive event.
No other Halloween we have experienced rivaled the fun and good cheer that occurred on Front Street. The island community was always out in force. The costumes are great. Everyone having fun. Transportation had evolved so we didn't have to worry about driving.
My 83-year-old mother and her other "aged" friends made this excursion to Lahaina a yearly event for more years than I can remember. They were always proud to show off their costumes and were always so cute that they were photographed as much as the youngsters who are always very endearing.
All that being said, it was to our very great surprise that we have discovered that the tradition of closing off Front Street has been terminated. How can the powers that be, in these days and times, put unnecessary restrictions on an event that has brought so much pleasure to so many people over the years? Was there really so much harm in this traditional event? Does the Maui community really want to change for the worse something that is remembered so fondly by locals and visitors alike? I should think not.
Randall Urban
Maalaea
*****
RESORT BENEFITS FROM FUNDRAISER GUESTS
Recently, a group of friends from East Maui went to the Royal Lahaina Resort for the Mick Fleetwood Fundraiser for the Arts. The concert was out on the lawn overlooking the ocean and a beautiful sunset. To say it was great would be an understatement, we all agreed.
The hotel gave us a package deal with room and music. The whole group rented rooms. The next morning, we all ate at the hotel and hung around until reality forced our departure. The hotel was almost full because of the function and the workers were stoked to have the business in this slow economy. It helps from the food and beverage department to house cleaning.
We all got away to the west side for a night and had an excellent time. It would be great to have more of these type of concerts. We all benefit.
Gary Nelson
Haiku
*****
EXTENDING ALCOHOL BAN TO ADJOINING PARK A BAD MOVE
It is called the Economic Development Committee, but if you ask me it's more like a destruction committee. After all of the brouhana about Charley Young Beach resulting in a total ban of alcohol at that park, they summarily extended the ban to include Kamaole Beach Park I.
My wife and I visit Kam I three or four days a week because it is peaceful and quiet. There is some beer consumption there but I have never seen one problem with it, not on the beach. Some of the regulars sit up in the park and drink, but they don't come down to the beach.
Kam I is visited mainly by our visitors. Soaking up the sun and sipping a few coldies is part of their vacation dream. Sic some of Maui's finest on them because they are enjoying a drink at sunset and you might as well book next year's vacation for them - straight to Mexico.
We are driving our visitors right off what has been the number one island destination in the world as the County Council continues to make decisions against our visitors because it makes enforcement easier for police.
I invite the council to visit Kam I at sunset to watch our visitors pour onto the beach with coolers and wine glasses preparing to enjoy another magnificent Maui sunset. Now unleash the beach cops on them, bust 'em, handing out tickets and driving the off the beach. Then tell me just how it just makes sense.
Jeffry Dugan
Kihei
*****
GOOD RESTAURANTS DON'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE
Living on this beautiful island of Maui for close to two decades now I was resigned to the fact there were no good restaurants unless you wanted to leave your paycheck with the waiter to pay for your dinner.
I'm embarrassed to say it took me way too long to find Brigit & Bernard's Garden Cafe in Kahului's fine German cuisine and Serpico's Pizzeria in Pukalani, which has a stromboli to die for. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
Andrew Bayron
Wailuku
*****
MARATHON LEFT A MESS ON THE ROADSIDE
Driving my boat to Lahaina on the morning of Sept. 20, I watched as the Maui Marathoners were handed cups of water. Many of the runners threw the cups on the ground and over barricades along the ocean from the pali all the way to Lahaina.
More to my surprise, on ride back from Lahaina to Kihei with the boat around 3 p.m., every one was gone and there were cups strewn all over the roadside for miles with no one picking them up.
I enjoy venues like the marathon, but not when it negatively impacts our beautiful island. This was a day after many had cleaned up the roadside for an annual cleanup day. The committee responsible for the marathon should be fined and made to clean up their mess.
Let's keep Maui litter free.
Roy Bendell
Kihei
*****
ARTICLE ON BERTRAM DIDN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY
While I appreciate the front page story (The Maui News, Sept. 20), I must object to the impression that those are the only issues of importance. Unfortunately, The Associated Press is only interested in stories that generate controversy or reactions.
Did they care that I was recently recognized by the AARP for helping to pass Hawaii's first complete streets law? This law requires all new roads to accommodate all users - including walking, biking and transit. I presented the proposal to the chairpersons of our Transportation committees - Sen. J. Kalani English and Rep. Joe Souki - and they did a great job getting it through to completion.
Most of my work is low key and behind the scenes. The recent proposal for a downtown Kihei was based on a downtown Kihei proposed through a workshop sponsored by the Planning Department at my request.
While the story seemed to imply that my support for some of the more controversial issues might be interesting, it is far from being what I am all about.
I invite folks to read my legislative updates to see for themselves that my support for schools has been persistent and I have been a continuous champion for walking trails, biking and transit.
Contact my Honolulu office if you have suggestions or requests for new legislation or for fixing what we've passed. There's no money for the foreseeable future, so now is the time to get creative.
I look forward to working with our community to achieve greatness.
Joe Bertram III
Representative, 11th House District
Kihei
