Letters to the Editor
Sidewalk cracks are epidemic in Waikiki
Step on a crack and break your mama's back!
I am amazed with all the cracked sidewalks in Waikiki. I watched concrete crews replace a section of sidewalk on Lili'uokalani Avenue between Tusitala Street and Mountain View Drive. The next day it had already cracked in two places.
I grew up in an area of the Mainland where a majority of the sidewalks had been laid in the 1930s and most of those still have not cracked after all these years. Concrete normally expands and contracts and will crack if this is not adjusted for. Expansion joints of proper depth are used to keep the concrete from cracking the surface.
The next time you are out for a walk, look at the condition of the sidewalks. We are spending big bucks on concrete work — over $1 million this year in Waikiki alone.
Is someone inspecting our new sidewalks and concrete work? Is there a warranty on the work that has been done?
Something is wrong.
Poor Mom!
Bruce Mullikin
Thank you, Schofield soldiers, for your help
I want to extend our deepest appreciation to the soldiers of HHC 65th Engineer Battalion from Schofield Barracks, led by Capt. William May, for coming to Palama on March 22 to carry out several work projects.
They repainted the lines and markings on our basketball courts and parking lots, and scrubbed down and waxed the floors in one of our buildings.
This is not the first time our friends from Schofield have come to Palama to lend their assistance. Last fall they helped us with maintenance and repair work to our facility in preparation for the Christmas season.
Capt. May hopes to maintain this relationship with Palama and has graciously offered to bring his soldiers down again in the summer for additional work projects.
During this difficult time when America is engaged in armed conflict, we are keenly aware of the commitment and sacrifices of our men and women in the armed forces. Whether they are serving their country on the battlefield or carrying out needed projects within our community, we want to thank them and recognize their dedication to the task at hand.
Robert T. Omura
Executive director, Palama Settlement
Celebration by Iraqis warms the heart
I have never been prouder to be an American citizen as when I watched the Iraqi people dance on the broken statue of Saddam Hussein.
America is truly a builder of nations and democracies.
I know that some question our government's motive for the war against Saddam and some protest all wars in general. However, it warmed my heart to see the Iraqi people and the international community celebrate the end of Saddam's dictatorship.
Too often as a society, we take our democracy for granted and focus too much on its failures. Although there is much room for improvement, we should take this moment to reflect on how lucky we are to vote for our government leaders and live in one of the world's most generous and caring nations, the United States of America.
Scott C. Arakaki
Waipahu
Let's honor our troops
There should be a parade down 5th Avenue in New York for our troops who have liberated the people of Iraq, similar to the parade at the end of World War II.
Roger A. Hutchings
Child abuse just kept on — year after year
I sat back and watched for at least five years after knowing of a documented report of abuse (age 4 at the time) and seeing bruises on many occasions (undocumented).
After going through inner turmoil, seeking advice, talking to professionals, the school system, HPD, CPS foster care, parish priest and even to the abuser (trying to seek help for her anger), I finally made the call.
The school could not offer any information due to confidentiality, CPS suggested HPD, HPD questioned CPS options, so I called 911. Yes, they responded, but again I was too late, not enough injuries to do anything, so the child will stay with the abuser, till the next time, living in constant fear.
My only hope is the next time someone will react quicker than I did (as all my communication lines are cut), report it and and make a better difference for this child, before it is too late. Because I know the abuse will not stop.
I will continue to live with the guilt of not speaking out sooner.
How many reports, documented and undocumented, does it take to save this child?
Lori Ching
Waipahu
Police must investigate fatal crashes completely
The Honolulu Police Department is keenly aware of the frustration of motorists who are stuck in traffic while we are investigating fatal traffic collisions. Please remember that we are investigating an incident that resulted in the death of one or more persons, and collection of evidence is crucial in determining what caused the crash.
Most of the evidence at a traffic fatality is transitory. Once a roadway is opened, the evidence is lost forever. This is why investigators need to ensure that they did not miss anything that could be vital to the investigation.
A March 27 letter suggested using digital photographic systems and Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Teams to shorten lane and road closures. Unfortunately, the department has looked into both of these options and concluded (after contacting numerous law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol) that neither would significantly reduce the length of time required for investigations. In fact, most Mainland investigators agree that major crash investigations take several hours or longer, depending on the complexity of the case.
The average length of time for roadway closures due to traffic fatalities on O'ahu this year is 4 1/2 hours. This average is based only on the fatal crashes that resulted in major traffic tie-ups, and it does not reflect incidents where roadways were not completely closed, as was the case in several collisions.
One of the priorities of our traffic investigators is to open up the road as soon as possible, at least partially, so motorists can get by. Unlike the Mainland, we do not always have surface streets that can be used as detours.
If a drunk or reckless driver killed someone you cared about, you would expect the police to do a thorough investigation and bring the driver to justice. Thus, we will do our best to keep traffic moving, but not at the expense of compromising a negligent-homicide investigation.
Lee D. Donohue
Chief of police
