Anti-Aquarium Activist: 'You Stink'

Dear Editor,    September 16, 2013

You stink.

Signed,

Robert Wintner

Kihei, Maui

NOTE: Wintner is an international advisory board member of the anti-whaling Sea Shepard Foundation, an anti-aquarium activist, (and therefore, naturally, a dive tour operator) and a major campaign donor to Rep Kaniela Ing (D-Maui).  Here's the article which has left him suffering from olfactory hallucinations:  Anti-Aquarium Nuts Attack Big Isle Fisherman For Catching Delicious Tiger Shark -- Be sure to check out the recipes for shark steaks. 

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Closing Ewa Village Post Office Does Not Make Any Sense At All

Dear Editor,    September 18, 2013

Ewa Village Post Office is at the center of one of the fastest growing communities in West Oahu according to the last census.  Even Ewa Village has been adding more homes recently and many more are planned nearby. This is by no means a "dying community" even though a large elderly population lives in the village and is very grateful that this type of very friendly island village post office still exists.

The closure letter states that the building is "not listed as an historic landmark"- but in fact it is now over 50 years old and National Register eligible. The historic plantation era building was built in 1958 and was given to the City when the plantation closed. This is one of the least expensive Oahu post office's to run as far as space rent is concerned.

The postal letter informing about the possible Ewa Village P.O. admits that the historic cinder block building has "no known structural defects, safety hazards or security issues."  Just last year the entire parking lot was resurfaced, a new wheelchair ramp was added with a lower service window and lower box access for the disabled as part of a Federal "shovel ready" funding source. WHY would these ideal handicap, user friendly new Federal tax paid alterations now be wasted?

Franciscan Vistas Ewa, a "healthy independent living community" was recently added, as well as more nearby homes being built or planned for construction within the local village.

This is actually one of the best post offices, but least known, in all of West Oahu.  People who do know about Ewa Village Post Office come from considerable distance just because it is one of the very last friendly, classic village post offices found on Oahu.

One of the rationale for closing is that the post office has experienced "declining revenue and/or volume." This is clearly because the Ewa Village P.O. hours were cut BACK to just 12-2 PM! This is an extremely short time window and very inconvenient for working people. These ridiculous hours are no doubt the number one reason for decline in revenue! Any place of business in a busy location would have such a decline in revenue if they were only open just M-F for two hours a day!

The Ewa Credit Union says that people regularly stop in their adjacent office asking about postal services when the P.O. window isn't open.

The post office closure rationale is that alternatives like Waipahu or Kapolei P.O. exist... For the many elderly this is not a simple or easy thing to do. Those post offices are often very crowded with long lines. Not everyone wants to jump into a car and drive through considerable traffic to get to one of these other "nearby and convenient" post offices in Waipahu or Kapolei miles away.

Ewa Beach P.O. also exists. That post office is often very crowded with long lines and Fort Weaver can often be a nightmare of heavy traffic. If Ewa Village P.O. had logical hours for most working people it would be an extremely busy post office too. Anyone who has spent time in this Ewa area knows that closing this great little post office makes no sense at all!

Please visit the Ewa Village Post Office on Friday, Sept. 20, between 12 and 2 PM when a USPS representative will be standing by to take any public opinion comments, written or verbal. You can also call Janice Shimizu, USPS at 423-3958 if that is more convenient.  Readers can also their signature to the petition of over 500 names, Call their representatives, send a letter, email asking that the Ewa Village Post Office NOT be shut down!

John Bond

Ewa, Oahu

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Rail: Am I Missing Something?

Dear Editor,    September 16, 2013

Transit authorities estimate travel time between the Kapolei rail station (20 miles away) and Honolulu will be 45 minutes.

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York.  I took the BMT subway to Brooklyn Technical High School in downtown Brooklyn.  I took the express train from Kings Highway the Dekalb Avenue Station.  We bypassed six (6) stops that the local train made. 

I can't imagine what it would be like to get on the HART train in Kapolei and make 20 stops before getting off at Ala Moana Center.  That is a lot of stop and go.  Almost like driving on our overloaded streets and highways.

Ridership is estimated at 116,300 weekday passenger trips by year 2030. 

How many riders will get on at each station during peak travel times? Where will they get off?  At what stop will the rail cars be filled to capacity?

Imagine sitting or standing on the train while it stops at stations with nobody getting on or off. 

Am I missing something??

James Arcate

Honolulu, Oahu