BUDGET SURPLUS

TAX REBATE SHOULD BE SPENT ON MORE POLICE

With all of the vandalism and thievery of city and state property, I propose that the possible tax refund be used instead to increase our police force.

An increased police force would provide for better surveillance islandwide. I would be happy to donate my $100 to the cause.

Education, energy, technology need money. But if buildings, equipment, electrical wires keep being damaged, destroyed or stolen, we are only pouring money down a "rat hole."

COPPER THIEVERY

SPIRIT OF 'AINOKEA' SEEMS TO BE EMERGING

I read with amusement that copper thieves have struck again, disabling street lights along another busy roadway.

The state Department of Transportation should not replace the lost wiring or re-enable the street lights until the community is willing to take action to catch these criminals and bring them to justice.

Repairing the lights only moves money from one pocket (mine) to someone else (the criminals).

We have an emerging spirit of "ainokea" in our community, and that spirit is damaging to our sense of what is right and wrong.

We are literally "in the dark" because we are unwilling (not unable) to take meaningful action.

SAME-SEX

CIVIL UNION LAW WORKS IN STATE OF VERMONT

The Hawai'i Legislature is finally talking about civil unions.

I come from Vermont, where civil unions first came to be after a Vermont Supreme Court ruling. It was a very divisive issue in 2000, with heated and unpleasant debates across the state. What happened then? The sky didn't fall. Heterosexual marriage didn't collapse.

Within a year, civil unions were a nonissue. Gay and lesbian couples received the legal protections afforded to other couples in Vermont.

Is it perfect? No. Some decry it, saying separate but equal is not equal. Some relationships fail, just as some married heterosexual couples divorce. But, it works.

I am reminded of the comment of Robert Stafford, Vermont's long-time U.S. senator, who was a flinty, conservative Yankee Republican. During the debate before the civil union law was passed he said: "I consider that love is one of the great forces in our society and especially in our state of Vermont. It occurs to me that even if a same-sex couple unites in love, what harm does that do anybody or any society? So I felt compelled to come here and say that."

HEALTH RISK

ROOSTERS TOO NOISY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

I am appalled and amazed at the right of people to have crowing roosters, with no consideration or concern for their fellow neighbors.

Studies show that interrupted sleep patterns increase health risk.

The roosters crow at all hours of the day and night. How many of our elected officials have this problem? If they did, the law would change quickly.

This is 2007. Where else in the world would a homeowner with a property value of approximately $500,000 have to tolerate farm animals next door?

If we can change the law concerning the culture of fireworks and the cigarette-smoking culture, we should be able to change the law regarding roosters.

KAILUA

LITTLE WAS DONE WHEN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK

On Jan. 31, I was driving to work and noticed that the street lights were not working on the largest and biggest intersections of Kailua.

At 8:30 a.m., the intersection of Kailua Road, Ku'ulei Road and the beginning of Oneawa was a scene of cars clashing. With no police officers directing traffic, people were driving erratically. The Kailua police station is not more than two blocks away and nothing was being done.

This is absurd. The safety of people should be the top priority of all law enforcement officers. Little was done.

I expect something to be done to ensure the safety of the people of Kailua and this state.

HISTORIC SITE

GRATEFUL MOANALUA GARDENS WILL STAY OPEN

On Jan. 26, The Advertiser reported that Moanalua Gardens' new owner, Kaimana Ventures, may rent out portions of the park for special events and weddings to help pay for the gardens' maintenance.

Moanalua Gardens is my single favorite place to walk. I'd be willing to pay for an annual pass (like Foster Botanical Garden) rather than see access restricted.

That being said, I'm grateful to Mr. John Philip "JP"Damon for keeping the gardens open to the public.

KAREN KIEFER

PROVOCATIVE ART VITAL, SERVES TO CHALLENGE US

I applaud The Advertiser for its coverage on provocative artist Karen Kiefer.

Art like this is vital, and often serves to move society into new directions through reflection and future visioning.

It is the nature of an artist's work to develop a community exchange and provoke thought and emotion.

Perhaps Mr. Robert Lottie (Letter, Feb. 1) has forgotten that art is drawn from topical issues that challenge people to see things from a new perspective, contemplating how they relate to others, the environment, cultural history or even religion.

Wouldn't this world be an uninteresting place if all artists homogeneously conformed?

PEDESTRIANS

PRACTICE ALOHA, ALLOW PEOPLE TO CROSS SAFELY

Recent letters have sought to shift much of the burden for pedestrian safety from drivers to victims.

Before people start citing their own episodes of where they (as drivers) have experienced close encounters with pedestrians, myself included, let's agree that drivers and folks on foot equally share in the responsibility for keeping streets and walkways safe.

There is only one "winner" in encounters between pedestrians and moving vehicles.

Responsible drivers need to understand that the unexpected has a way of happening, and we should always be prepared to respond accordingly, including making the necessary allowances for our kupuna to safely exit crosswalks. It can become a "race against the clock" for many of them.

Please, don't let your aggravation and impatience kill one of our citizens.

Practice aloha, slow down, and give safe crossings to our friends, neighbors and family members.

AGENDA FOR FUTURE

LINGLE SETS FOUNDATION FOR IMPROVING HAWAI'I

By pursuing an agenda emphasizing economic revitalization, fiscal discipline, help for those who need it and protection of natural and cultural resources, Gov. Linda Lingle has compiled a long list of accomplishments in her first term.

They have resonated with the public, as evidenced by her reelection by the largest margin of any gubernatorial candidate in state history.

Highlights include: