Letters to the Editor
Turning red waiting for a walk signal
Could someone explain if there is any rhyme or reason behind the settings for the walk signal buttons?
Some are not posted, or at least the sign is difficult to see. Some have a sign and the walk button, but one gets the walk signal whether ones pushes the walk button or not. Others have two walk signal buttons on one pole and both seem to point diagonally across the intersection so one does not know which button to push. Or the corner has two walk signal buttons, but only one is visible from certain directions so one pushes the wrong button for the direction one wishes.
However, the one I wish to complain about is the one at which after one pushes the correct button, one still does not get a walk signal. I recently filed a complaint that when one is walking up Nu'uanu Avenue and wishes to cross Vineyard Boulevard, on certain settings of the traffic light sequence, one does not get a walk signal even after pushing the button.
Recently, I was walking up Nu'uanu Avenue. As I approached the Vineyard Boulevard intersection, the light was green for cars but there was no walk signal, as no one had pushed it. As the signal was about to change and there was no walk signal, I did not try to cross Vineyard Boulevard.
I pushed the walk signal button. The signal changed and cars made the left turn on green from Vineyard. I pushed the walk signal again. The light changed and cars on Vineyard traveled straight through on green. I pushed the walk signal button again. The light changed and cars on Nu'uanu made a left turn on green. I pushed the signal button again. The light changed and cars started going straight though the intersection traveling up Nu'uanu. However, there was still no walk signal.
One then has the choice of crossing the street with no walk signal or waiting through another traffic light sequence and hope that one might get a walk signal the next time around.
When I filed my complaint I was told that the problem would be fixed that day. I sincerely doubted that it would be changed in that time frame as I called around 3:30 p.m. However, I believe that I could have logically assumed it would have been fixed in a two-week period.
If one is not going to get a walk signal even with pushing the walk signal button, what is the justification of having the walk signal buttons at all?
This might also be the reason why, as I have personally observed, that many people do not bother to push the walk signal buttons and just walk across the street whenever the light signal changes to green even though there is no walk signal.
If the government wishes people to follow safe pedestrian crosswalk procedures, the government must make the buttons easy to see, readily understandable and actually give the pedestrian a walk signal.
Cless A. McFarland
Stall doors would be appreciated at Kaka'ako
In her letter on July 14, Nancy Gakiya correctly points out that the restrooms at Kaka'ako Park are sadly lacking in basic amenities "prior to an event." The fact is that these restrooms are a disgrace to basic standards of hygiene and an affront to feminine modesty at all times. I can tolerate the lack of toilet paper ... but stalls without doors, toilets surrounded by pools of water and not a single hook to hang a lady's beach bag or purse makes for a bathroom experience worse than I have encountered anywhere in the world.
With all the attention being paid to upgrading and beautification of our state, how can this most basic need to overlooked. We don't need the mausoleum-sized restroom that now sprawls over Ala Moana Park. We need DOORS. And a hook to hang a bag (ladies don't usually tuck their wallets into their skirts) and a toilet resting on a relatively dry floor would be nice.
Nikki Kalanimalie Ty-Tomkins
Class demonstration will never be forgotten
I was very sad to hear of the passing of Olympic swimming great Richard Cleveland. As a kid whose second home was the old Nu'uanu YMCA (where the Pali Longs and Safeway now stand) our swimming instructor, Martin Tomita, invited Mr. Cleveland to one of our swim classes to demonstrate his technique.
It was a thing of beauty. Long, smooth, powerful strokes that ate up the 25-yard pool in a few seconds. I'll never forget that day. Cleveland's demonstration was so impressive, it convinced a bunch of us to take Martin Tomita's advice and join the Nu'uanu YMCA Swim Team under another Soichi Sakamoto protege — Coach Charlie Oda.
Although I was never half the swimmer Mr. Cleveland was, his willingness to spend the afternoon with a bunch of kids made all the difference in the world to us. He will be sorely missed. Aloha to his family.
Ed Ikuma
Maintained grounds can boost tourism
Perhaps the state could issue permits for people to use select state parks. This is used at the national level and is probably used by other states. A reasonable annual fee like $25 could get you stickers to put on your autos.
Those who don't have the permits could be fined. I hate to suggest further charges for overtaxed citizens but the deplorable conditions at many state parks call for some sort of funding. I made the link between public parks and tourism when I came here for a job interview 10 years ago. I must be a genius because it took the state a decade to see this link. When will we learn that solving our local problems will solve many of our tourism problems?
David T. Webb
Mililani
Voter education has political agenda
How typical of the way things are in Hawai'i. Requests for funds to educate state voters of the changes caused by redistricting are refused. We don't have enough money in the budget.
Gov. Cayetano, however, pays state department heads to take hours off of state business to attempt to find flaws in Linda Lingle's plan for the future.
Suddenly he feels it is his responsibility to spend government funds to share information with the public.
Yes indeed, voters, it's time.
Sheila Leas
Jake Shimabukuro definitely a showstopper
I caught the "Sounds Of Hawai'i" concert in California and I have to tell you that Jake Shimabukuro absolutely stole the show. Not since Haunani Kahalewai has a performer made me share the intense emotion that they evoked.
This kid makes you feel good just watching him play. What is wrong with the local business people? Jake should be playing six nights a week at a major Waikiki venue.
Nolan Ezra
Union City, Calif.
Quality of 'Hawaii 5-0' still evident today
While recuperating from major surgery, I found myself watching more TV than in decades. Among the cable reruns is "Hawai'i 5-0," a show I watched faithfully before moving to Honolulu 25 years ago. What a wonderful discovery to watch shows from the past and see that they hold up beautifully. The story lines are compelling and the acting is first-class.
Jack Lord has a real presence on the screen. The scenery of O'ahu is incorporated into every episode. Although it is a crime show, I did not find the treatment of any ethnic group offensive and found the inclusiveness of the cast a credit to the producers. In short, this series had "quality," something missing from the shows we have been supporting, such as "Baywatch." I can see why people dreamed of Hawai'i in the 1960s and 1970s after seeing "5-0" because I did as well.
I urge our officials to discover and support another such show — there are scripts out there — and bring quality (and visitors) back to Hawai'i.
Elissa Josephsohn
Condition of sidewalks terrible in Waimanalo
Are we waiting for someone else to get injured or die?
I've written before about the terrible condition of sidewalks in Waimanalo.
It's sad to watch our little ones try to ride their bikes or scooters to school and see them have to ride on the road to avoid large holes and cracks in the sidewalks. In Waimanalo, there is such a negative stereotype that everyone's lazy. I know there are a number of active, athletic, health conscious community members here.
I've coached the Waimanalo Canoe Club members and encouraged them to go walking or running. How can they when the bike lanes available are so narrow and the sidewalks are so terribly messed up? And the lack of street lighting makes it impossible to run at night, for fear of stepping in a hole or crack. There is also loose gravel that makes running difficult.
I am an active member in neighboring communities (Kailua and Hawai'i Kai), where I paddle and coach various sports. Fortunately for me, I can run in those communities where the sidewalks (and the lighting) are practically flawless.
The next time I twist an ankle or step on a huge rock, who should I send the doctor bill to?
Tammy Kaneaiakala
Mother, coach, runner, paddler, concerned community member
Taxpayers should not pay for nature's danger
Enough already! Nature is dangerous and unpredictable. Why should the taxpayers be held responsible for every incident in which someone is injured or killed by nature? Next thing you know someone will be suing because the National Park Service didn't post enough warning signs that getting close to an erupting volcano could be hazardous to one's health.
John McHugh
'Aiea
Admission policy doesn't help the poor
The admission policy for Kamehameha Schools is denying Native Hawaiians an opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty.
Instead of using Kamehameha Schools to educate disadvantaged, mostly pure-blooded Native Hawaiian children living in poor areas attending low-rated failing public schools, Kamehameha Schools is used as a college prep school for children from middle- and upper-class families with about 1/50th or less of Hawaiian blood.
Princess Pauahi believed that education could reverse the decline of the mostly pure-blooded Native Hawaiian people who were impoverished and disenfranchised from a society ruled by Euro-American legal, political, cultural and economic systems.
A five-member board of elite, politically connected Bishop Estate trustees has developed high academic performance standards for acceptance at the school.
Native Hawaiian children living in high-poverty areas are denied acceptance at Kamehameha because they do not have the educational foundation to meet the high academic standards. This is insane. Families living in poverty do not have the money or means to provide their children with the educational foundation to pass high academic admission tests, which only measures a small portion of a child's potential ability.
The primary focus and goal of Kamehameha should be providing educational opportunities to all Native Hawaiian children attending the 95 public schools declared by the Department of Education as high poverty or low rated. Native Hawaiian children attending these low-rated schools should be educated at Kamehameha Schools at no cost to families who do not have the income to pay the $1,000 to $1,500 minimum annual tuition.
Educational opportunities should not be limited in preparing children to attend college. All children are not suited for college. Nor do all children want to attend college. Kamehameha Schools should have programs for teaching children skilled trades (automotive mechanic, electrician, computer technician, carpenter, etc.).
The second goal should be educating children with small percentages of Hawaiian blood living in middle- and upper-class areas. If the first and second goals are met, Kamehameha Schools could be opened to non-Hawaiian children.
Paul J. Watson
Mililani
Candidates bringing danger to roads
Considerate candidates for office will think twice about organizing their supporters to stand along the busiest streets at the busiest times in the coming months. Inconsiderate candidates will think only about promoting themselves regardless of the inconvenience they cause the rest of us.
Recently, sign wavers created traffic snarls where H-1 meets Kalaniana'ole Highway at 'Ainakoa Street. The traffic backed up on H-1 well past Kahala Mall, as well as under the freeway. Once past the sign wavers, the traffic flow opened up. Any distraction to a driver is dangerous. And the main purpose of sign waving is to attract the driver's attention away from the road. Maybe a candidate has to be sued for causing an accident before any restrictions are made to this dangerous campaign tactic.
Gregg Kageyama
