RIDICULOUS

NEW SMOKING BAN: NOW WHAT'S NEXT?

The new smoking ban for restaurants and buildings is ridiculous! It takes away a right for thousands of people.

I don't smoke but it doesn't bother me when people do and I feel that by passing this law we are taking away what this country is about: being free and doing what you want.

The dumbest thing about this law is that one cannot smoke at bars! It's a bar! That's what people do at bars.

What are they going to do next? Tell us what we can and can't drink at bars?

PHILANTHROPY

MICHELLE WIE A FINE ROLE MODEL FOR ALL

My respect and admiration for the charitable, selfless kokua the young golf sensation Michelle Wie demonstrated toward the many homeless children in Wai'anae.

Her love of her fellow human beings is extremely rare in my view for one her age while living in such a materialistic, self-centered modern society.

She is truly a champion as a golfer, as well as a human being, and should be a role model for people in the world today. She reflects great credit on her parents, family, profession, Hawai'i and herself and demonstrated the Hawaiian aloha in its truest sense.

TRANSIT

NO MAGIC BULLET WHEN IT COMES TO BAD TRAFFIC

Contrary to what most people think, the light-rail transit system will not "solve" all our traffic problems. Neither will any of the other suggested solutions by themselves. I believe it will take a combination of different solutions to really make an impact on our traffic problems.

As I read all these articles about selecting a solution to our traffic problems, the focus seems to be on a single solution when in fact we should be looking at all phases of our transportation system. A rail transit may be the spine of the new system, but how the rail transit is supported by other areas of transportation will need to be looked at as well.

TheBus system will probably need to be changed to a spoke and hub service, concentrating more on serving communities by shuttling people to various hub points along the rail line. Fly-over lanes could help "surface" traffic flows and on- and off-ramps from the H-1 Freeway need to be seriously looked at. Traffic patterns, flow and direction also need to be studied. All of the above would be a wiser choice instead of A, B, C or D to solve our traffic problems.

TOLL ROADS A BAD INVESTMENT FOR O'AHU

Regarding the argument that toll roads as an alternative mass transit solution would not cost the people of O'ahu:

Where's the private company that's going to build the managed lane toll road? We've been talking about this project for over a year. News of the Honolulu transit study has been published in some of the best financial forecasting publications out there.

If this toll lane is such a good idea, why hasn't a private company already stepped up with its $2.5 billion to build the system? Because it's not a good investment for O'ahu.

HOUSING

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TAKES EVERYONE'S HELP

I am in favor of transitional housing but after reading the article that describes the identified areas that can be developed for housing, I don't see any mention of sites beyond Kaimuki and Palolo.

Are 'Aina Haina, Kahala and Hawai'i Kai protected because of their affluence and political clout? Let's be fair and give these areas the opportunity to help out. Or is it the "not in my backyard syndrome?"

HEALTHCARE

HMSA RATE HIKE FOR 2007 DOESN'T ADD UP

HMSA is raising its rates by 4.9 percent next year for small businesses. I have its Plan 6, which is basic coverage for individuals, and my rate is going up by 24 percent!

In its letter explaining the rate increase, HMSA states that prescription drug costs are escalating. That's odd — my plan doesn't cover prescription drugs. I go to the doctor about 12 times a year due to a medical condition and have done so for several years.

According to the statement from the clinic, HMSA pays about one-third of my rate to the clinic. This means the other two-thirds HMSA collects is for administrative costs and for reserves. Worst of all, HMSA wants to do away with my plan and get me into another plan. Something is not right. I think HMSA should be investigated.

ENERGY

FORGET ALTERNATIVES, JUST FIX THE BILL, PLEASE

Kicking the oil addiction by proposing a wish list of alternatives without a real decline in consumption is a dream turning into a nightmare.

What we need, what I always wanted, was an electricity bill that would show the price of a kilowatt per hour, not more vague information without any kind of proof that just confuses people.

UH FOOTBALL

THE SIMPLE SOLUTION TO UNSOLD GAME TICKETS

Like everyone else, I've been hearing a lot of talk about the poor attendance at UH football games. And like everyone else, I'm becoming tired of it. But unlike everyone else, I have the solution — give the extra unsold tickets away to season-ticket holders. By doing this, everyone wins.

Season-ticket holders can play Santa and will have free gifts they can give away to friends and family. I bet there are lots of fans who would love to come out but just can't afford the tickets. Concession and UH merchandise sales will increase from the increased attendance. If you figure 15,000 extra fans spending about $7 each, that's a hundred grand that never would have been seen.

The stadium will be packed and add to the overall excitement and atmosphere of the game and will in turn attract new season-ticket holders. The indirect effects here are endless.

Everyone wins, no one loses. Its a win-win-win situation — How often in life does this happen? Let's take advantage of it now.

HAKA PERFORMANCE GOOD FOR FANS, PLAYERS

Keep the haka. I know some people who go to the UH football games just to see it. It identifies with Hawai'i. It inspires both the players and the fans.

We go to the game early to see it and stay back after the games to see the players perform it again.

ROAD SAFETY

HPD'S NEW INITIATIVE NECESSARY, BITTERSWEET

With gratitude tinged by sadness, I give props to the Honolulu Police Department and Chief Boisse Correa for enacting a proactive enforcement initiative regarding the reckless driving permeating our roads. It is frustrating to see the arrogant risk-taking, but it's worse to experience the loss of loved ones due to a split-second error. Cold statistics cannot express this depth of sorrow.

One of this year's traffic fatalities was Dana Alama. She was genuinely beloved by all who knew her. Beautiful and talented, she was generous in sharing her radiant spirit. She was a newlywed engrossed in the potential of her future when her life was snuffed by a speeder on Kalaniana'ole. For all of us left struggling with her death, there is no getting over it — we have to find ways to live with it.

Anything that will help us all to arrive alive and make drivers conscious of their actions or experience the consequences is definitely a good thing. HPD, mahalo for your support.

NICARAGUA

DANIEL ORTEGA'S RETURN DESERVED SOME NOTICE

During the election, a very important event took place that went almost unnoticed in the press. Daniel Ortega has once again become the president of Nicaragua. Reagan used to call him a "tin-horn dictator."

If this would have happened under Bill Clinton, the right-wing pundits would have exploded and Fox News would have led CNN and MSNBC around by the nose, as usual.

Ronnie is turning over in his grave.

NORTH SHORE

BIG RESORT, NO HOSPITAL: WHERE'S OUR PRIORITY?

I am truly amazed how misplaced our priorities are. We may end up with a large resort-type development taking place on the North Shore near Turtle Bay, yet we are losing the only hospital on the North Shore.

The idea of building more, increasing the population and then taking away a basic service such as a nearby hospital just doesn't make sense!

How is it that there is support to develop the North Shore, but no money to keep emergency medical services close by?

If this development is allowed to proceed (against the many wishes of the North shore community) I would hope that Kuilima Resort Co. could find a way to financially assist Kahuku Hospital.