PROJECTS WILL PROVIDE SAFER ACCESSES TO SCHOOLS

I would personally like to express my gratitude and thanks to Lahaina Bypass Now (LBN), Charlene Shibuya of the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Maui Police Department in providing safe routes to school for our children and families.

Lahaina Bypass Now helped secure federal funds through the SRTS (Safe Route to School) grant program, which has been awarded to Princess Nahienaena School for infrastructure improvements. The state DOT and the County of Maui Public Works Department will work together on short- and mid-term improvements starting the summer of 2011.

The short-term plan is to improve the Kuialua and Lahainaluna Road intersection with new crosswalks, re-striping approach and installing flashers.

The mid-term plan is to develop a traffic management plan for Princess Nahienaena School, explore the feasibility of a traffic light at Kuialua and Lahainaluna Road and, last but not least, explore the feasibility of alternate routes to Princess Nahienaena School.

Lahaina Bypass Now is a community-based organization dedicated to creating a better quality of life for residents and visitors alike. To learn more about their accomplishments and help support this organization, please visit www.lahainabypassnow.com.

LISA CABINGAS, Lahaina Bypass Now Citizen Volunteer

SPEND HARBOR FUNDS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED

Walking out to Trilogy at Lahaina Harbor the other day, it’s easy to see why there is a need for upgrading facilities, which (already funded) should begin after whale season.

Looking out from Trilogy at the “Breakwall” surf spot, I pictured Kamehameha surfing by (like I used to hear stories of) — even riding across the now-existing channel through “Harbor Lefts” on giant south swells.

There are three proposed locations for new fueling facilities to accommodate the cruise ships: Lahaina Harbor, Mala and Black Rock.

The harbor is already too crowded, and a new 110-foot pier out in front of the library would only make things worse, not better. (If you build it they will come!) Not to mention the historic area of the Kings Palace, blessing stone, etc.

This new pier would also require the removal of coral on its north side. Once, the idea was to “replant” the coral in the area where the derelict boat was to be removed, but now the boat cannot be removed because coral has grown inside.

So why is it OK to remove coral in front of the library?

If there is money to be spent on new facilities, let’s spend it in an area that NEEDS improvement, like Mala Wharf, rather than further congesting old Lahaina.

LES POTTS, Napili

TIME TO END COUNTY FURLOUGHS

I am glad to hear that Mayor Alan Arakawa will be ending the furloughs soon. It is the right thing to do.

Obviously, Maui has made more of a comeback than Kauai, and so we should end the furloughs just as Kauai has. When one employee is being furloughed and another employee needs to be called back to work at overtime wages to cover for a furloughed employee, it is at that point the system has broken down. This was the case in one of the county departments on March 1.

The more this happens, the more the county wastes taxpayer dollars. I believe the concession idea for creating revenue for the parks could be a good idea as well. It needs to be done right. One suggestion would be to exclusively sell Maui grown or made products to further promote Maui and our local economy.

MANUEL IGNACIO, Kihei

HOW ARE FIREWORKS PERMITS ISSUED?

What is the deal with the private fireworks shows going off in West Maui for the past two Sundays? Can just anyone get permits to have an aerial fireworks show at any time of the week?

School nights, work nights — these megabuck shows have the dogs in my neighborhood going off, and it disturbs the peace. Who is in charge of issuing the permits and what are the restrictions, if any?

ALONZO RIVERA, Lahaina

DANCING BILL ADVANCES

On March 8, House Bill 1339 passed out of the House of Representatives and crossed over to the Senate. This bill will allow people of Maui, and all of Hawaii, the right to tap their toes and bob their heads in restaurants and bars.

Currently, there is no definition for dancing, yet the Maui County Liquor Commission does not allow “dancing” to happen without a permit (Section 08-101-23 a and b from the rules of the Maui County Liquor Commission).

For more information, visit www.mauidanceadvocates.com, call (808) 264-7691 or contact your senator and ask them about HB 1339.

ANTHONY SIMMONS, President, Maui Dance Advocates

CITY WASTED MONEY ON RAIL CEREMONY

I am writing this in regard to a recent news bit. I am trying to decide if Mayor Peter Carlisle is for real or just a bad nightmare.

They had an unofficial ground breaking ceremony for the several billion dollar rail system that will be Oahu’s worst nightmare, and Mayor Carlisle said it “ONLY” cost $30,000 for the unofficial ceremony.

Today on the news, he is starting to reduce the $1,000,000 budget deficit? Why didn’t he use the $30,000 as a start to reduce costs?

ROBERT P. POTTER, Lahaina

ISRAEL COULD HELP PROTECT U.S. FROM MISSILES

Israel could provide protection for Hawaii and the U.S. from North Korean ballistic missiles.

Israel is the leading nation in the world in the field of multilayered missile defense. Israel tested an Arrow 2 antimissile system on Feb. 22. The interceptor missile successfully destroyed the target missile launched from a ship at sea. The system check was conducted at a designated field in the U.S.

According to a defense establishment source, the experiment was anticipatory of a “significant future threat in the Middle East, which might be directed at Israel.”

The test, the 18th of its kind, began at 8:30 a.m. (Israel Standard Time) off the coast of California. The test was a significant landmark. The target was launched, and the radar followed it. Afterwards, the interceptive missile was launched. It hit the target and brought it to its total destruction.

This successful experiment is a result of a very long period of hard work. It was an important experiment for the State of Israel and its abilities to defend itself from ballistic missiles.

DAN ZOFI, Kula