Letters to the Editor
Germany provides a better approach
The state Department of Transportation says that speed kills and that the purpose of the van cams is to slow drivers down. Hawai'i could learn a few lessons from Germany, where areas on the two-lane autobahns have no speed limits.
Drivers there understand that if a car approaches you from behind and you are in the left lane, you automatically move over to the right until the traffic passes. Cars were averaging 75 to 90 mph, and in two weeks, never once did we see a traffic accident. Accidents happen when drivers do not know how to interact with other cars going at different speeds.
Locally, slow drivers hold up others in the left lane, causing frustration that leads to road rage and unsafe driving.
Recently cars have slowed due to the traffic cams, but they also bunch up and tailgate, creating more hazards than if traffic were allowed to flow freely at more comfortable speeds. What's needed is more driver education and reasonable speed limits, not "Big Brother."
Judy Park
Crackdown needed for our own good
For the safety and welfare of Hawai'i's citizens and visitors, I propose the following measure: Post cameras at intersections around the state with sensors to detect if pedestrians step out of the crosswalk or cross against the red light.
Face-recognition technology would be used to ticket violators by matching faces with driver's licenses and state IDs.
A foot out of the sidewalk or a second after the light changes is a serious violation of the law and should be prosecuted. If pedestrians have indisputable proof that they were elsewhere at the time, a judge could discharge the ticket.
I urge our representatives to take all possible action to protect us against ourselves.
Bryant Webster Schultz
DOT spokeswoman is using double talk
Your paper quotes DOT spokeswoman Marilyn Kali as saying, "All I have said is, if you exceed the posted speed limit, then you're subject to a citation. But what people are hearing is zero tolerance. And we have never said that."
What kind of double talk is that? Subject to a citation if one exceeds the posted speed limit and claiming that that is not "zero tolerance"?
Yet, Ms. Kali, you wonder why we don't trust your words?
I, too, want drivers to slow down — I want safety on our roads. Please study the matter further — like increasing the speed limits where it would still be safe but reasonable. Please outlaw use of cell phones while driving. Please pay ACS (if we're to keep it) a monthly lump sum and not a percentage of the fines. Otherwise, please explain why these three things cannot be done ASAP.
Yoshie Tanabe
Waipahu
Sign-wavers could end camera system
The company photographing speeders wants to make a profit. I know how to prevent this: Start the campaign sign-waving season now.
Since sign-wavers are free to park on the side of the road, they are free to stand right in front of the vans with their signs blocking the cameras' view.
If enough people did this, there would be no profit and the camera company would leave Hawai'i forever.
Walter Zaharevitz
Senate president at least is honest
Bobby Bunda said about Ben Cayetano's State of the State address, "I want him to give us some hope. I want him to give us some direction."
So, our Senate president admits he is hopeless, directionless and counting on Cayetano to provide leadership?
You gotta respect such blunt candor.
Jim Henshaw
Kailua
Cayetano showed us his great vision
I applaud Gov. Ben Cayetano's excellent State of the State address. He covered all of the bases, which revealed his truly great vision for Hawai'i, and he praised the people who assisted him in his many achievements.
Gov. Cayetano has worked quietly, but he has accomplished many important things for Hawai'i and its people. He deserves our praise. I consider him a very fine governor — the best ever in Hawai'i.
Rose Norberg
JROTC compromise is needed for campus
As a Kamehameha graduate, former JROTC cadet officer and U.S. Air Force veteran, it is with great sadness that I read Kamehameha will be dropping JROTC from its curriculum.
The story brought back memories of spring camp at Schofield and long, cold nights in the forest behind the last building on the campus. Those were the days when I, as a young and impressionable teenager, learned about character building, leadership and teamwork through the JROTC program and its instructors.
I understand the reasoning behind the trustees' decision to cancel the program. No one wants to see the will of Princess Pauahi or the admission policy challenged in any legal proceedings.
It is my hope that some type of compromise or arrangement can be made to ensure some sort of military education can remain on the campus. The discipline and leadership training learned through the program are priceless and an asset to the Kamehameha experience.
I will forever recall my J-ROTC experiences fondly, especially my conversations with my tactical officer, Capt. Tom Diggs. Thank you for helping to shape the true Warriors of Kamehameha.
Jason Redulla
Kamehameha, Class of 1990
Stop fretting about prisoners' condition
Regarding your Jan. 18 editorial on the Cuba detainees: It appears you never miss an opportunity to be critical of our government while turning a deaf ear and blind eye to actions of other nations that are also fighting terrorism.
As an example, Israel uses torture, assassination squads, secret or nonexistent trials, kidnapping, wholesale destruction of private homes, censorship of the media, etc., things we in the United States would never do, but I hear no calls for the Red Cross or other international bodies to take action.
You and others of the media should stop worrying about the menu and barbershop at Guantanamo and support and have faith in our nation in these trying times.
Frank D. Slocum
Diagnosis of DOE's demise is premature
Let's hope Cliff Slater's Jan. 21 diagnosis of Hawai'i's DOE — "Rigor mortis has set in" — is not true because rigor mortis occurs after death and I don't think it's time to bury the DOE.
However, to continue operating and spending money on the DOE, some vital signs would be encouraging. How badly does the DOE want to change its poor habits and get better?
Managers at the top must stop ignoring sound advice. The GOP's proposal to decentralize Hawai'i's "one size fits all" school system includes more power to principals, local school boards, countywide school districts and more support for charter schools.
Certainly not a cure-all for an educational system facing demise, but it's a remedy strong enough to regain the trust of Hawai'i taxpayers.
Rep. Bud Stonebraker
R-15th (Kalama Valley, Portlock)
