Isle militarization is nothing to celebrate

The rapidly increasing militarization of our Islands concerns me. Should there be any doubt about the enormous power of the military over the economy and ecology of our Islands, one need only look at a single edition of The Honolulu Advertiser.

A May 3 lead article tells us in striking letters that the "Stryker project ready to roll." Then, two items on the Letters and Commentary page speak of military recruiters in our schools and the mounting opposition to the Navy's University Affiliated Research Center at UH-Manoa. And less than a week earlier, another banner headline heralded a "new military center" that will purportedly "generate 700 jobs" on a site adjacent to Whitmore Village.

In a related matter, The Advertiser has featured the proposed Superferry with high-profile coverage and op-ed features, but neglects in its April 7 editorial to mention the military connection. Somehow, information reported elsewhere in the media — epitomized by a statement of Hawai'i Superferry president and chairman Tim Dick that "the ferry will save the military dollars and take 25 percent of the time" — should have been worthy of some space in The Advertiser.

For many, I realize, all of this is good news and a reason to rejoice. I choose, however, to join the growing minority locally and nationally that is opting out of the celebration. I stand in nonviolent resistance to the forces of violence that have led our nation to bring destruction and division to the people and lands of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Kudos for criticism

Congratulations to Paul Deering, Sheila Apisa and Rhonda Black for their criticism of the federal government's No Child Left Behind Act (May 8, Focus section). As a retired educator, I definitely agree with them.

Let our president keep running our country into the ground, but tell him to keep his hands off our education system, about which he obviously knows little.

Rail transit system does indeed work

Mass rail transit does not work? News to me.

I have lived 50 years in Hawai'i but now stay in Thailand, in Bangkok alongside the Chao Praya River. I drive in Bangkok, and the traffic is terrible. Some traffic lights stop traffic for 30 minutes. But, when it turns green again, traffic moves.

However, if it were not for Bangkok's Sky Train System and new subway system, the city would be almost impossible to negotiate by vehicle.

Thousands upon thousands of people ride the sky train every day, and many more thousands the subway. They are new, clean, air-conditioned, fast and cover major business and tourist destination districts in Bangkok. They are a lifesaver.

Hundreds of thousands of people park their cars or leave them at home and use the rail system instead. Does not work? Come to Bangkok. It moves people east, west, north and south. This, in a city of more than 10 million people.

Surely Honolulu, with 1 million people, can build one east-west rail system easily. It may not be cheap, but it will pay off in the long run and help reduce the terrible Honolulu auto traffic that I feel is at times worse than Bangkok's because in Honolulu, you have no alternative but the car.

By the way, how much is gasoline or diesel fuel now in Hawai'i? Rather expensive?

Foliage that blocks visibility must be cut

I live in Lanikai and am concerned about several houses that have foliage blocking the visibility of many main intersections. My children ride their bikes to school, and this is a safety hazard.

One such residence is owned by the City and County of Ho-

olulu. It was bequeathed to the city by the original owner in her will. I believe the city rents it out as low-income housing. The elderly lady who previously owned this residence always cut the foliage herself and was very conscientious about following the law. And she was about 80 years old! I believe there is an ordinance for homeowners to keep their hedges down to three feet on corners.

I complained about the foliage and lack of visibility to the city and was told to contact the Police Department. I went into the Kailua police station and told them and they laughed. And on Sunday when I was reporting a burglary at my house, I again informed the officer of the problem. He stated that he would "check it out" on his way out of Lanikai.

Please advise whom I can complain to. I just hope I don't have to cut it myself.

Investors should go to the back of the line

Having just read "Downtown Block J units sell quickly," my blood is almost boiling.

Reference to the demand from well-heeled investors as one of the reasons for the quick sell of so many units brings to mind what's wrong with the powers that be in our state.

In regard to rail transit, real estate and recycling, our legislators seem to be self-serving and not interested in the best interests of our residents. Can they be that self-serving? Where are their hands when thinking of our future? If not under their 'okoles, then in their pockets!

It's time to restrict housing and real estate to residents and not investors, and have some plans worked out before collecting any more of our hard-earned money to line the pockets of those controlling the future of our Islands. First-time homeowners should come before second, third or even fourth real estate investments.

We need to protect our present and future generations — those who work and live here.

Construction a major reason for our traffic

I disagree with the May 5 letter from Eleanor C. Nordyke regarding population control in the state as a way to solve traffic. Limiting population will not help solve our traffic problems.

Hawai'i is a place for tourists and immigrants; it is normal to have a large population in our small state. We cannot avoid the rapid growth of population, and it is also unreasonable to blame it for causing traffic.

Road construction is a major reason for our traffic problem. Smooth flow of vehicles on the road is disrupted by sidewalk construction and other improvements.

Another reason is people's attitude toward driving. In a usual family, almost all adult members drive their own cars. People drive even when going to a place two blocks away. There are too many cars and vehicles on the road.

Medical crisis over patient care needs to be cured now

Alarm bells should sound after the May 9 article "Hawai'i losing its doctors" and the May 10 Island Voices commentary "Crisis point: Don't get hurt on Big Island" by Dr. Barry Blum.

I assumed that the HMSA card in my wallet guarantees I'll be cared for routinely or in an emergency. Apparently that's not true. Doctors may not be available to see me if more of them flee the Islands. Just when I need to use the insurance I've paid for, I may find, at the peril of my health, that it won't be there to protect me.

A little research reveals that there have been adequate warnings but no solution. A Jan. 29, 2000, Advertiser article, "Coalition challenges health plan," described an action brought by the Hawai'i Coalition for Health before the insurance commissioner. The coalition charged that the Hawai'i Medical Service Association's newest provider contract was shortchanging doctors and hurting patient care. The coalition predicted that the proposed fee schedules would not adequately reimburse doctors, affecting the quality of care. Doctors would be forced to leave Hawai'i.

It also accused HMSA of refusing to bargain in good faith with doctors who offer hospital services.

This is exactly what has come to pass now, in 2005. It's time to begin work on a solution.

Cutting reimbursements directly affects the quality of treatment we can expect when wheeled feet-first into the emergency room. It's too late to wonder if a doctor will be available to care for you when you are flat on your back waiting to be patched up. If the number of doctors diminishes, those remaining are more likely to be overworked, as reflected in Dr. Blum's article.

In addition to reduced availability of emergency care, does anyone really want to be treated by a doctor who has not rested for some time?

Bills introduced this past legislative session would have required HMSA to reduce its burgeoning $516 million reserves by refunding premiums paid by employers (Advertiser, Feb. 18). Perhaps it is not just employers who should demand a piece of the excess reserves — doctors and patients need now to speak up and take action as well.

The price of that little blue card goes up each year even as its ability to protect us decreases. This needs to be fixed. Patients should demand that reimbursements be readjusted before Hawai'i earns a reputation as "the unhealthy state."

HFD must be adequately staffed

The passage of Senate Bill 1352 has drawn an enormous amount of attention by the media due to the reaction and comments made by our public employers. First and foremost, the bill simply clarifies the rights of public employees to engage in collective bargaining under Chapter 89, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, in light of recent court decisions.

The intent of the legislation is to avoid the invalidation of provisions of collective bargaining agreements and supplemental agreements in effect on and after July 1, 2005. The public-sector unions and employers have negotiated over the procedures and criteria on promotions, transfers, assignments, demotions, layoffs, etc., since the inception of collective bargaining.

The Honolulu Fire Department issued a public statement that "it will create a huge management problem with 1,100 firefighters being transferred between 42 different fire stations. It could also create public safety issues if a fire station is left short-staffed while employees negotiate over the impact of transfers." The Hawai'i Fire Fighters Association is the exclusive bargaining representative for the 1,800 active-duty state and county firefighters throughout the state. The position taken by the HFD is misleading for the following reasons:

• The HFFA collective bargaining agreement has a section titled "Placement (Assignments & Transfers)" and reads, "The placement of employees within each fire department shall be the responsibility of the respective fire chiefs." The passage of SB 1352 will not invalidate this provision in the agreement, and chief officers will continue to retain the necessary authority to transfer personnel to best address public safety concerns.

• State statute mandates staffing as non-negotiable. The cause of inadequate staffing of our fire companies rests solely with the employer. HFFA has been raising concerns of short staffing for years, and it's been our goal through labor-management discussions to encourage the fire departments throughout our state to recognize and adopt the National Fire Protection Association's 1710 Standard, which requires a minimum fire company manning of four firefighters.

• During the past two rounds of bargaining with the state and counties, we have been successful in implementing a voluntary rank-for-rank recall program. This program is a start at addressing the issues of providing adequate manpower when a fire station is short-staffed and at the same time having qualified firefighters on duty.

Furthermore, we have established a labor-management committee with the respective fire departments for the purpose of providing a forum for the free discussion of mutual concerns and problems and also to work at finding solutions outside of the grievance procedure to ongoing problems.

Public safety as well as the protection of our firefighters on the line every day is of the utmost importance to the HFFA. To ensure the effective delivery of fire and emergency services, the safe and proper manning of our fire companies must conform to the national standard of four firefighters per company.