Letters to the Editor

Speeding soldiers should lose stripes

Was anyone else as shocked as I was at the comment that Schofield's Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Ethridge made regarding the accident Thursday a.m.?

"My soldiers are 18 to 25 years old, they're lean and mean and think they're invincible," he said. "Yesterday's death will slap home the message for a little while, and they'll be cautious for a little while. But as time goes by, they'll be doing it again, no matter how much we preach."

Erik W. Wallace had been arrested for driving 108 mph in a 55-mph zone three months ago. People only learn by losing something that is important to them. In the military, the only thing that is important to them is their stripes. Perhaps, if he had lost a stripe three months ago for speeding, James J. Giannos would be alive today.

Maybe, it is time for the military to use that form of punishment instead of the slap on the wrist, which obviously does not do any good.

Sharon W. Conradt

Speeding 'crackdown' doesn't make sense

I could not believe how lightly the speeder got off for going 104 mph in a 50-mph zone — a $350 fine. A short time later, this guy was caught racing.

Are we really "cracking down" on speeders and racers on our highways? I was ticketed last year for going 50 in a 35-mph zone (downhill on the Pali) and my fine was $125. No wonder the guy caught racing was still doing it; a $350 fine for doing 104 mph is laughable.

Roger Tardy

Library's security was upgraded quickly

On behalf of the staff, volunteers and patrons, thanks and kudos go to DAGS for the excellent and rapid upgrade to the security of Kane'ohe Library following the recent break-ins. The windrow gratings are installed in such a way as to protect while blending with the entire building.

We often only hear about the failures of government services, but this time we are talking about success. Again, thanks.

Lee Ellen Glazier
President, Friends of Kane'ohe Library

Bus Rapid Transit offers great hope

On a recent Wednesday, my usual 45-minute commute by car to downtown Honolulu took more than two hours. I sense our future may include more such days.

I hope policymakers can remain focused on transportation alternatives that can serve us on the Leeward Coast and improve travel means and times for everyone on O'ahu. One such promising proposal is Bus Rapid Transit. Just think, I could take BRT and shave off up to 20 minutes from my commute and be able to read the newspaper or take a nap and leave the driving to someone else.

Maybe it's time for all of us to focus on how we use our transportation dollars and resources.

Tom Enomoto
'Ewa Beach

Fine for residents over false alarms wrong

I am both amazed and frustrated (but not surprised) by the proposed legislation to fine residents whose home security systems would summon police to a false alarm.

I guess the argument is that if police are responding to false alarms, then that diminishes their ability to catch criminals. That's what Honolulu's "finest" would have you believe, but the issue isn't about alarms, false or otherwise. It's about crime and the inability of the police to apprehend those responsible for the ever-increasing number of home burglaries.

Over the last seven months, I and three of my neighbors have been victim to a home burglary. I didn't have a home alarm system when someone broke into my house, but I do now. Hindsight is 20/20. I had it installed despite the police officer's comment that "home alarms don't really do any good" and that, "responding to home alarms is a low priority." I had to weigh those comments with another officer's remarks that, "unless they were very lucky," the chance of the police recovering my stolen property was zero.

I can't rely on luck and, by their own admission, I can't rely on the police. What would the police have me do? Nothing?

When a home security system sends a false alarm to the police, it should be taken for what it's worth. It's not a deliberate attempt to harass the police but rather an attempt to protect one's property, something the police are unable to do. Don't punish those who have home security alarms for trying to protect their property.

N. Fox
Kailua

Handcrafters guild offers much more

Regarding the Sept. 28 article headlined "Craft festivals devise new strategies to survive": I felt like it shed a bad light on the Pacific Handcrafters Guild.

Since 1993, the Pacific Handcrafters Guild Foundation has awarded $38,000 in scholarships to Hawai'i's young and talented college students. Yes, we pay higher prices for our memberships, but it feels good to know that a portion of that money goes toward these scholarships. It is our way of giving back to the community and supporting our future members. The Hawai'i Community Foundation administers these scholarships, and any college student from Hawai'i may apply for them.

For 27 years, everyone who loves "festivals" knows that PHG fairs are the best.

Yes, we are going through growing pains, but at this point in time, I think we are all struggling to survive.

I would like to invite the public to our next "festival" on Oct. 13 and 14 at Kapi'olani Park, a new venue for us. Please come by and see our "narrow range of offering" and decide for yourself.

Darlene Mandel
Secretary, PHG Foundation