I thought the job of government was to protect and enforce the will of the people. Majority rules. It appears to me that the majority of Honolulu's residents don't want the traffic cameras and especially the zero tolerance of enforcement.

It's my understanding the Legislature had to pass special laws to make this system enforceable. I hope people remember that at election time.

Even some, and I believe most, police officers don't approve of this scheme. I know for a fact some police officers are even putting devices over their license plates to disallow the camera to record their license-plate number.

The residents of Honolulu need to band together and fight this stupidity. If everyone who is issued a ticket by mail elects to go to court, the system will fall apart. Band together, everyone. Fight, fight, fight.

"Capt. Irwin" Malzman
Las Vegas

Speeders are furious they may get caught

The two most shameful aspects of the traffic camera issue are the radio stations that are, in effect, fostering the idea of breaking the law and the questionable conduct of the legislators, most notably one from the Windward side, who question the validity of the law.

If the speed limits are not proper, the lawmakers need to change them. The radio stations need to play their records and think long and hard before taking a position on any public issue.

Almost every imaginable argument has been put forth about the traffic cameras; however, there is one thing the legislators and radio stations need to understand: Regardless of the sophistries and rationalizations spouted by many people, what they are really saying is that they want to speed and are furious that they may get caught. If the speed limit is obeyed, all other arguments become moot.

Don Chambers
Mililani

Too much attention paid to speedometer

I can't help but notice a lot of swerving going on and vehicles crossing over the lines of O'ahu's roadways ever since the traffic cam vans have been dangerously parked on the side of roads.

I even noticed myself drifting to the left or right trying to keep an eye on my speedometer and the posted speed limit signs. Also, I've noticed that the posted speed limit seems to decrease, or increase, about every five-tenths of a mile.

It sure makes driving much more dangerous trying to keep my unblemished driving record unblemished. And also trying to keep my already-too-expensive insurance policy down.

Scott Lawson
Kailua

Free eye exams are being offered

As one of 88 volunteer ophthalmologists in Hawai'i, I am compelled to tell you about free offerings for National Eye Month.

The national Eye Care Project is a public service program sponsored by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which is designed for financially disadvantaged seniors.

All legal residents age 65 or older who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three years or longer are eligible for a free complete medical eye examination. A call to the toll-free 1-800-222-EYES (3937) can match patients with a volunteer ophthalmologist in their area.

To date, 948 patients have benefited from this free service in the state of Hawai'i. Across the country, 615,000 seniors have gained access to medical eye care through the National Eye Care Project.

The gift of sight is one we must cherish. I urge the public to take advantage of this free ophthalmologic service.

Joyce H. Cassen, M.D.

Vision team should answer to community

A Jan. 10 letter spoke of wasted monies being spent by vision teams across O'ahu. I would like to add that, in many cases, these "teams" are also acting as special-interest groups to promote their own agendas at the expense of the taxpayers.

Bear in mind that community residents are never even informed of many of the projects proposed at these vision team meetings, much less consulted about whether they are in agreement with the projects. This is not the way things are done in a democracy, and I, for one, would like to see the methods used with these vision teams modified.

It is fine for the vision teams to work through brainstorming sessions and then carefully deliberate on projects that would be of great use and benefit to the community as a whole. But then these should be proposed to the community for comment, long before the city makes any decisions based on the recommendations of these teams. These vision teams are not elected and do not have to answer to the community for bad decisions.

And what of the neighborhood boards? Is it not their responsibility to vote to pass on these recommendations?

Bob Farrell

Too much time off

No wonder SAT scores are so low. Why do the schools get so much time off? They need more instruction time. And the teachers have no right to claim they are underpaid.

Derek Stephens
Wai'anae

Charter schools should be supported

The Jan. 7 paper had an excellent commentary by Cliff Slater about why the BOE, DOE and even the HSTA are in (at least tacit) collusion to disrupt the charter schools, which are working — particularly the two "conversion" charter schools of Lanikai and Wai'alae Elementary. 

These schools are doing an excellent job (better than most of the rest of the system) of educating our youth with less money and fewer resources. The students consistently score high in all mandatory testing. 

These schools work, and the DOE teachers in these schools work hard for the students. We should support the schools fully — not try to drive their qualified teachers away by eliminating DOE benefits or making it difficult for them to get the funds they deserve.   

Patrick J. Luby
Kailua

Don't put gambling on the state ballot

Many thanks to our leaders who have taken recent stands against gambling, including Sen. Inouye, most candidates for governor, most leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties, most current state legislators, the Honolulu Police Department, the Hawai'i Bankers Association, the former attorney general, the Coalition Against Legalized Gaming, social workers, the editors of the Honolulu newspapers and others.

Although some legislators may support putting the issue on the state ballot, the complicated issue of gambling cannot be reduced to one sound bite or one yes/no question on a survey. Any attempt to create such a simplified statement or question would include some bias for or against the issue being considered.

Inouye said it so well that we elect our representatives to consider bills, hold hearings and vote on such issues. A ballot poll would allow legislators to avoid the reason they were elected.

A poll on the ballot would lead to further waste of money, attention and human resources. The advertising and promotions by the few who would benefit would only confuse the public about the meaning and implications of voting yes or no.

Jack Karbens

Pinky Thompson was a true child of the land

Uncle Pinky Thompson was a humble man with a big heart.

When he believed in something, he was a warrior. Yet his gentle and soft-spoken style mixed with his great sense of humor and blended with deep passion were ingredients to get the job done.

He dedicated his life to helping those in need and accomplished more in one lifetime than we can only dream of. He was a gifted diplomat and, most of all, a warm, loving and kind human being.

Beyond all of his noted national and local achievements, he was a steersman for Hui Nalu and a bass player. That set the tone for his life's work. If it was off-timing, he would gently work his paddlers until it blended. If it was out of tune, he would work it until the music flowed. His vision of a better Hawai'i for Hawai'i's people came from the grass roots. He was a true keiki o ka 'aina.

While I steered the canoe at his service, I flashed upon the 35 years I knew him. How he took me as his hanai at a time when my own life was torn apart. He encouraged me to be proud of my ancestors and most of all to believe in myself. His home was a pu'uhonua, a place to heal and feel safe. He made a profound difference in my life.

His radiant smile and genuine words of comfort will be missed. But his strong spirit of aloha knows no boundaries. His many programs, which touch Hawai'i's babies to kupuna, connecting islands of the vast Pacific to the native tribes of Alaska, will continue. His vision was far beyond the horizon.

Hawai'i Loa, with 40 or so canoes, escorted Uncle Pinky on his final journey to the sea. Outside of Niu, a valley he so loved, he made his way back home. As our canoe touched land, a squall of rain came, as a message that our beloved Uncle Pinky will always be near to continue to nurture us.

May Pinky's "star" continue to shine above Niu Valley to guide his 'ohana throughout this earth and remind us to live aloha, as he so graciously did.

Mahalo ke Akua for this makana.

Puna Kihoi

Here's effective advice on handling addicts

I was extremely touched by Mike Spiker's Jan. 8 letter in which he detailed a history of his addiction and incarceration. A sad fact is that our jails and prisons are loaded (pardon the pun) with people who could be treated for this addiction and be responsible, taxpaying members of our communities.

Too often families are the first to notice alcohol and drug addiction; and they could be instruments of intervention and positive change if they knew how to effectively communicate and assist their addict to recovery.

Enclosed is an anonymous letter to families that we have found effective:

"An open letter to my family:

"I am addicted. I need help.

"Don't allow me to lie to you and accept it for the truth, for in so doing, you encourage me to lie. The truth may be painful, but get at it.

"Don't let me outsmart you. This only teaches me to avoid responsibility and to lose respect for you or take advantage of you. In so doing, you become an accomplice to my evasion of responsibility.

"Don't lecture me, moralize, scold, praise, blame or argue when I'm drunk, high or sober. And don't pour out my liquor; you may feel better, but the situation will be worse.

"Don't accept my promises. This is just my method of postponing pain. And don't keep switching agreements. If an agreement is made, stick to it.

"Don't lose your temper with me. It will destroy you and any possibility of helping me.

"Don't allow your anxiety for us to compel you to do what I must do for myself.

"Don't cover up or abort the consequences for my drinking or drugging. It reduces the crisis but perpetuates the illness.

"Above all, don't run away from reality as I do. Addiction, my illness, gets worse as my drinking and using continues. Start now to learn, to understand and to plan for my recovery. I need help from a doctor, a counselor, or a psychologist, a recovering addict/alcoholic, or from God. I cannot help myself.

"I hate myself, but I love you. To do nothing is the worst choice you can make for us.

"Please help me, your alcoholic/addict."