Posted on: Friday, January 10, 2003
Letters to the Editor
Pedestrian bridges would ease problem
I walk a lot in Manoa, and in recent years I have almost been hit by cars several times. I also drive a lot and bear witness to the reckless driving that is becoming a hallmark of life on O'ahu. I think that a lot of this has to do with the congestion drivers experience everywhere.
There are some solutions, especially for the elderly who need to cross King street to get groceries, etc. We should build some pedestrian bridges.
This would make street crossing very safe. We either need to eliminate crosswalks that don't have traffic signals or put in more signals.
It is hard to know what to do on King Street when you see a pedestrian approach a crossing. By the time you have looked in your rear-view mirror to see what is coming behind you, there is little time to hit the brakes. It is obvious that traffic lights are not timed along King Street. Proper timing could keep traffic moving at a slower speed and make accidents less likely.
It is sad that cultures known for their respect for the elderly place them in daily jeopardy.
David T. Webb
Use caution, respect when out in the wild
As an avid hunter, conservationist and political activist in support of hunting and gathering activities, I was deeply saddened by the tragic death of George Morishima in the Nu'uanu forest.
My team and I made the discovery of his remains on the morning of Jan. 4 and thus were able to assist the family in bringing closure to this sad chapter in their family history. The only consolation for them, myself and my peers is that Morishima died in the arms of nature doing what he loved to do.
Those of us who hunt or gather from the fields, streams and ocean embrace the traditions of our ancestors who harvested the bounty that nature provided for them. We are guests in this wilderness, and as such, we honor that relationship by respectful treatment and thoughtful consideration of all that we do on the land and sea. We should not challenge nature, but strive to harmonize with it.
I have come away from this sad event with a renewed awareness of the need to use caution and respect in the wild. If we can learn something from this sad business, we can give serious consideration to our family and friends who worry about us when we are "in our element" doing "our thing." My urgent plea to all outdoor enthusiasts is to be prudent in your activities so that we can avoid this type of tragic loss in the future.
Van Ohumukini
FAA arrogance shown in China Airlines case
Mike Leidemann's Jan. 7 article describing the China Airlines' frightening low-altitude overflight of Diamond Head and Waikiki captures perfectly the FAA's arrogance shown to Hawai'i citizens for years.
FAA Rule No. 1 is: "The airlines can do no wrong." Therefore, any citizen complaints are to be ignored, or even laughed at. My personal experience is a tower supervisor reacting to my phone complaint: "OK, I'll go scold someone right now." Ha ha.
FAA Rule No. 2 is: "The FAA makes the rules, and we make them the way we want them" — even if federal law or regulations say otherwise, such as in enforcing noise-abatement regulations that have been on the books for years. Example: FAA statements that China Airlines "did not necessarily violate FAA regulations" Saturday when it scared the daylights out of hundreds of people.
FAA Rule No. 3 is: "Airplanes have flown only where we say they have flown, regardless of numerous citizen eyewitness reports to the contrary." Saturday's China Airlines incident is a beautiful example.
FAA Rule No. 4 is: "If we really get in a jam, tell the citizens that it's the state Airports Division's fault." And, as reported in the China Airlines article, the Airports Division then tells the citizen: "The FAA sets the flight patterns, and we don't have any say at all."
It's good to see that Sen. Inouye is taking an interest in the China Airlines incident. But notice once again the arrogance of the FAA response even to the good senator: "(We're) looking at it and will consider change IF NECESSARY" (emphasis added). Translation: "We'll continue doing as we please, unless someone really forces us to change."
Maybe if Sen. Inouye alone doesn't have enough clout to bring this renegade FAA outpost under control, the combined efforts of Sen. Inouye, Gov. Lingle and our new Rep. Ed Case can put them on a leash.
Tom Macdonald
Low-flying 747 was at least at 800 feet
Regarding the low-flying 747 on Saturday morning: I, too, saw it from my lanai here in Makiki. It was very, very low — but level with the 21st floor? That made me laugh. I'd estimate it at about 800 to 1,000 feet.
Did the airport approach control have any contact with this plane?
As far as the fire ant threat to Hawai'i, they're already here, as anyone who's played golf at the Mililani golf course can tell you.
Patrick Robinson
Band should be in Rose Parade again
As a very proud parent of a member in the Hawai'i All-State Marching Band, I would love to see its participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade become an annual event.
The image of Hawai'i it presented to the world far outshines anything a national sports championship could bring. However, making it an annual event could only happen if a major sponsor was found.
The volunteer time and effort put into this band to make it successful cannot be imagined. Band Manager John Riggle and Band Director Michael Payton truly have a feather in their caps, but for anyone to ask them to do it again is asking too much.
From this group of 400-plus young musicians will come our next generation of professionals. Music performance by youth fosters greater understanding of math, engineering concepts, science principles and numerous other disciplines involving good, clear thinking.
Someday the magic will happen again for the Hawai'i All-State Marching Band to perform again. When kids from all different schools in Hawai'i can march in unison, a single purpose in mind and form genuine lasting friendships, then we know we've turned that corner and we will walk that road to victory.
Michael Akin
Barbers Point trees dying for lack of water
Since Barbers Point in 'Ewa Beach has been returned by the Navy to the state, it has been terrible to watch the deterioration.
In particular, along Roosevelt Road and Philippine Sea Road, there are some beautiful mature shade trees. They have been slowly dying because no one will turn the sprinkler system back on.
State workers, when I contacted them, said they they had "too much to take care of anyway," and "the area still belongs to the Navy." The Navy, while denying responsibility, said it would cut down the trees as they die.
What nonsense is this, letting fully grown trees die for lack of someone turning on an already-existing sprinkler system? Surely there must be someone reading this who has the connections to get the water turned back on?
Please help this small piece of Hawai'i.
Mimi Hircock
Gambling could fund Hawaiian Homelands
Some time ago, I said that the federal money will run out shortly for Kaho'olawe. So, who is going to pay the $40 million needed each year to run and maintain this beautiful island we now have back? Frank A. Gonzales' suggestion of gambling in his Jan. 8 letter is right on target.
Kaho'olawe will become a major drain, or it could provide funding of all the Hawaiian Homelands projects without ever draining funds from any of the state's other needs.
Many have been to Catalina Island off the coast of California. It currently remains entrusted to the state of California from the Wrigley (chewing gum) family. The only problem is that you can only get there by high-speed ferry, motor or sail vessels or by helicopter. Yet It remains a showplace for the world to see and for all to enjoy.
I believe that some company like the Sun Corp., which did the Atlantis project in the Bahamas and also looked at the Ko Olina project, could make Kaho'olawe the golden island that could feed all of Hawai'i's dreams — forever.
Bill Littell
Bill will seek death penalty for Hawai'i
You recently reported that California has imposed the death penalty on David Westerfield of San Diego for the murder of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam, whose nude body was recovered in the desert. I believe the crime justifies the sentence.
Because there are monsters in our society who commit heinous crimes against our children, I will be introducing legislation this year to impose the death penalty on a criminal who sexually assaults and murders a minor. I realize this is a controversial bill. However, I have surveyed constituents and others, and my poll results show a 76 percent approval for capital punishment in the case I describe above.
To address legitimate concerns, legislation would not be imposed if the perpetrator was mentally ill or a minor at the time of the crime. The jury would have to make a unanimous recommendation for the death penalty, and the state courts could reject the recommendation. If approved, the case would automatically be appealed to the Hawai'i Supreme Court.
Federal law currently allows capital punishment in Hawai'i today. For the sexual assault and murder of a minor, I would like to see the state courts have the same option.
Sen. Willie C. Espero
Our 'new beginning' is off to a bad start
I thought the idea behind the governor's new beginning was to keep down the size and cost of government. Now, after the election is over, the governor wants a salary commission to seek higher pay for her directors — and also higher pay for the governor's position.
For about the past eight years, county and state workers were instructed to "do more with less" and do it with a good attitude. This message hasn't changed, even now. So how does this message not also apply to directors and the governor?
Boy, what you hear before the election is sure different from what you hear after the election.
Chauncey Hew
Minimum wage hike affects much more
In response to Bill Puette and Ah Quon McElrath, who assert that the recent hike in the minimum wage won't impact small business: A 9 percent increase in base payroll also equates to a proportionate increase in federal payroll tax, federal and state unemployment taxes and also worker's compensation and general liability insurance, which are all computed as a percentage of total payroll.
No impact indeed.
I ask both of you, when is the last time either of you provided one job or met a payroll? Your comments are as predictable as your politics and are intellectually dishonest.
Michael Barnette
We must say 'no more' to drinking, driving
Regarding the Jan. 6 editorial, "Drunken driving: how low should rules go?": There is no smoke here. Every year, 17,000 people die in automobile crashes involving alcohol.
Most of these people would be alive today if we simply separated two behaviors: drinking and driving. This is not a legal issue or a rules issue. This is a societal issue. Our society has to say it is no longer acceptable for one person's behavior to jeopardize the lives and well-being of other people.
We can do this. We have changed what is acceptable with smoking tobacco. We no longer accept that it is OK for people to smoke in a way that jeopardizes other people's lungs. Impairment from alcohol starts for many people after the first drink, for virtually all people after the second drink, and the more people drink, the more impaired they become. There is no safe level for drinking and driving. A driver under the influence of alcohol is a danger to everyone on our streets.
Laws and editorials can help, but in the end the people of Hawai'i must say "no more." No more family and friends dying because someone refused to separate drinking and driving.
How do we do this? By telling friends and family that drinking and driving is not OK with us. And if we buy people drinks, or give them alcohol in our homes, then we must share responsibility and make every effort to ensure that they do not drive under the influence (giving or getting them rides, having them stay over).
Finally, we never ride with a driver who has been drinking. A hundred years from now, people will look back and shake their heads, wondering why we ever tolerated drinking and driving, and why it took us so long to say "no more."
Ken Burtness
Mililani
Pali Bowhunter's Association
Hale'iwa
'Ewa Beach
D-20th Dist. ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu)
Substance Abuse Prevention
