PRESERVE HONOAPIILANI IN ITS PRESENT ROUTE

Regarding the lead article in the Lahaina News of Feb. 2, reporting that erosion threatens Honoapiilani Highway between Puamana and the Pali, and suggesting that the highway not be preserved but rather be moved mauka, I could not disagree more.

Only about 10 percent of the highway directly abuts the ocean, and that part of the road can be elbowed in or moved a short distance inward without moving the whole highway – this at much less cost and with preservation of this world-famous shoreline drive, where locals and visitors can stop anywhere to beach, surf, fish, paint, etc. It is the one remaining long, pristine and accessible shoreline still available to the public on Maui.

Developers and landowners regularly attend meetings on this matter and want the highway moved (it has deceivingly been called “realigned”) mauka, so that they can stock the shoreline with expensive development. A shoreline beach park has been promised, but is simply pie in the sky and not attainable or maintainable, and it could only be accessed through the developments, like from Puamana to Kapalua.

In addition, the present plan to extend the Lahaina Bypass south, from Puamana to Launiupoko, and place it also mauka moves the highway and public away from the shoreline and also allows development to occur between the highway and the shore. This extension is absolutely unnecessary, as this section of the bypass would still be two lanes and would bypass nothing. What should be done instead is to go ahead with a northern extension of the bypass, so that it doesn’t exit into Keawe Street, which will be a real mess, but instead exits beyond the commercial areas of Lahaina, thereby providing a true bypass to the northern communities.

Regarding the shoreline highway, I only hope that those of us trying to save it don’t have to lie down in front of the bulldozers to do it.

GEORGE “DOC” LAVENSON, Lahaina

MANY DETAILS TO ADD TO HIGHWAY SERIES

That newspaper reporter that I once called a friend is at it again. About relocating the highway when, after her last article, she said she was just asking a question. Yeah, right! Could she be described as an op-ed reporter?

The thing is there’s nothing new in what she wrote. Everything there has already been said. But I gotta give her credit for the picture in the paper. And, after all, she makes her money by writing newspaper articles – whatever it contains.

But let’s talk about what she DIDN’T say… like “putting the highway at the foothills” would help developers, so they wouldn’t have to build it themselves if/when they develop that area.

Like the law that says there has to be access roads to the shoreline and who would have to build them. My guess is that whoever puts the highway up there would have to assume responsibility.

But, then, I’m not as smart as a newspaper reporter.

Like the difference between the cost of “elbowing” around the areas of erosion concern versus relocating the entire highway. Millions upon millions upon millions, I’ve been told.

But, just remember, everybody has to eat. No can help!

GORDON C. COCKETT, Lahaina

MANY WAR VETERANS NEED TREATMENT

As a Canadian, I would like to commend the U.S.A. for its stand on terror. Due to the efforts of the military (both yours and others, including ours), we have been able to combat those who wish to eliminate our freedom.

I do have a concern, however: the treatment of those brave young men and women returning from Afghanistan and all other areas of conflict, both presently and in the past. They were willing to sacrifice their lives, in order that we may continue ours.

I have personal experience with family members of these same veterans. They are left to deal with the trauma that these people experience upon their return. They are not skilled psychotherapists – just loving parents, siblings, spouses. They are at a loss as to what to do.

Day after day, they see their loved ones incapable of being able to reestablish their lives upon their return. They see the need to connect with everything they once knew, but many are incapable of doing so. Some war vets are able only to get up and sit in a chair focusing on nothing but a TV or computer as company. The thought of going to apply for a job, going to programs without their patrol, is too daunting for them. Many are experiencing severe PTSD and are extremely depressed.

When these young people are being recruited, the military has no lack of personnel to enter their homes lauding all of the advantages of serving their country. May I suggest that there be a similar sort of outreach to your war vets upon their return as extended to them in their recruitment.

MARY ANN E. MOORE, Calgary, Alberta

SAVE HONOLUA

“Malama o ka ‘aina, o ka ‘aina i ‘ohana.” Care for the land, for the land is family.

“Pona ka ‘aina, kakua malama o ka keiki.” Respect the land, we have to save it for our children.

Aloha. I am writing to do my part to save Honolua. It is a sacred land which should be left as it is for our children to see. We must leave it unharmed. Honolua should not be a land to be bought and sold just for profit. If you care to save this sacred land, rise up and help save it. Don’t let the saying, “They paved paradise, to put up a parking lot,” happen here. Don’t let it happen to Honolua.

BLAINE CASIL, Eighth-grader, Sacred Hearts School

KEEP HONOLUA BAY SACRED

“The superior man seeks what is right; the inferior one, what is profitable.” Confucius

Are more luxury homes what is needed on our island home? Should Honolua Bay be preserved as a sacred site? These questions deserve our attention. In Maui, we have so many homes in foreclosure; maybe we need to consider building more homes only when needed to keep what is left of our land in its natural beauty. I don’t want to see Maui turned into the Mainland, full of golf courses and houses. What separates our state from the Mainland is the beauty of the land. There are many of us who care about Honolua Bay and want to keep it sacred. We can work together to do this.

MICHAEL DOAN, Eighth-grader, Sacred Hearts School

CORPORATIONS ALSO FUND CANDIDATES

Tim Butterworth’s letter of Feb. 2 actually told only half the story. While he railed against corporate political contributions, he neglected any mention of other even more substantial money given to political candidates.

Union contributions are immense from the SEIU, NEA, etc. In fact, if this year’s Democratic National Convention is typical, at least a quarter of the delegates will be members of the NEA.

You can add the host of so-called 527c organizations – many funded heavily by George Soros in pursuit of his socialist goals.

It makes no sense “to cry for our Democracy.” What we have is a REPUBLIC, thanks to our founding fathers.

By the way, I don’t know if they’re still there, but the Institute For Policy Studies was founded by two avowed Marxists. Just be sure you get both sides of every issue. I will as I return home to Pennsylvania.

FRED EDWARDS