PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

IMPROVED SIGNAGE AT CROSSWALKS MIGHT HELP

I frequently walk my daughter to Maunawili Park near our home. Despite a clearly marked crosswalk and signage, it never ceases to amaze me how many drivers blow through the crosswalk even though we are clearly waiting to cross.

On a recent trip to Breckenridge, Colo., I did not have any problem crossing any public street in a marked crosswalk. Why? In my opinion, effective signage.

The top photo was taken in early July in Colorado, and the bottom photo was taken in late July at the aforementioned crosswalk near my home. Not only does the Colorado sign clearly tell drivers they need to yield, it reminds them that it is violation of state law not to do so.

Obviously, simply changing a sign will not eliminate the problem, but highly visible and clearly worded signage may be a good start.

Hopefully, someone responsible for this type of signage will take notice and make some recommendations for change.

ENVIRONMENT

HUMANS ARE LOSERS IN WAR ON EARTH'S BEAUTY

Humankind's war with nature continues, and Maui is just another battleground.

The smoke and dust from outdated agricultural practices and rampant urban infrastructure are part of the attack on the valley and the coastline every day. Should it not be clear to us all by now that we humans will be the losers in this war?

We say we revere Maui's beauty; however, this reverence is rarely expressed by the actions of many.

If planners and decisionmakers woke up to the ancient integrity of the land and developers recognized that ugly surroundings only deaden the spirit, then it would be impossible to damage nature's beauty.

Beauty is essential to our well-being. Beauty lifts our spirits and embraces goodness, truth and integrity. We must make peace with nature and employ billions of hands to restore Earth's beauty.

In this very brief lifespan, we have our work cut out for us.

20TH ANNIVERSARY

MAHALO NUI LOA FOR PARTY AT TED'S BAKERY

On July 28, Ted's Bakery celebrated its 20th anniversary by giving away free food.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., owner Ted Nakamura, manager April Teixeira and the bakery's caring, capable staff served hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chili, rice, doughnuts, cake and drinks to all who stopped by. What aloha. How very akamai. They did the same five years ago for the 15th anniversary.

I am sure that all who were lucky enough to participate in this largess are as grateful as are my husband and myself.

Oh, so 'ono. This free and festive party deserves a big mahalo nui loa.

ASSISTANCE

GOOD SAMARITANS ARE THANKED FOR THEIR HELP

On Saturday, July 28, my mom was crossing the street in front of Ward Consolidated Theatres when she fell and cut her chin. When she was settled on a bench in front of the theaters, several people went out of their way to give her first aid.

I would like to thank these people very much for their caring and thoughtfulness. A kind gentleman sought the help of two girls from Big City Diner who helped with first aid. Several security guards assisted with communication.

With the help of these wonderful people, we were able to get my mother the medical attention she needed. Because of them, she went to the emergency room — where she had to have five stitches — in a timely manner.

Many thanks to all these wonderful people.

MIDEAST

AMERICANS DON'T WANT US IN IRAQ INDEFINITELY

When will our troops return from Iraq permanently? We have done everything possible to stop the violence, but it only increases weekly.

What will it take to get the warring factions from the battle sites to the bargaining table?

Can the Arab League, the Red Crescent, the Muslim countries bordering Iraq or a coalition of moderate Muslim nations turn the tide? Can the United Nations do anything?

We need help from reasonable people to find solutions.

What most of the American people do not want is for us to remain in Iraq indefinitely. That would be too much.

May our troops return soon.

WHOLE FOODS

Where are stories on local organic stores?

The stories about Whole Foods being the hero just because they are going to sell a few local products make me mad.

Sadly, Whole Foods is simply another big Mainland chain coming here to take our money.

In contrast, what about all the local stores like Down to Earth, Kokua Market, Huckleberry Farms, Celestial Natural Foods, and The Source? These companies have supported local farmers for more than 30 years.

They have supported local organic growers since their infancy by providing them with a market for their products, no matter how big or small their harvest may be.

Where are the stories about these local heroes and what a great job they have done?

KAPI'OLANI PARK

BETTER SIGNS WOULD HELP DIRECT PEOPLE TO ZOO

While the city proposes to build an extravagant new multi-million-dollar zoo entrance, the zoo has a half-finished elephant exhibit just sitting there in an unusable condition. What screwy logic would put funding for a new zoo entrance building in front of finishing the new large elephant exhibit our elephants need so desperately?

I agree with the recent letter that pointed out that the zoo entrance is very adequate.

However, the zoo's business plan lacks a professional advertising plan for signage directing people to the zoo's location.

Even a basic large sign with the word "zoo" on it out by the sidewalk in front of the zoo's main entrance does not exist.

Why aren't there any signs with the word "zoo" on them on light poles throughout Honolulu and Waikiki with arrows pointing in the direction of the zoo? Is this too simple? Does it cost too little to implement? On the ride into Waikiki from the airport, why aren't there any signs pointing travelers toward the zoo?

HANSON COLUMN

DEFENSE OF IRAQ POLICY JUST RAISES FALSE FEARS

Victor Davis Hanson's defense of President Bush's Iraq policy — open-ended commitment to the corrupt, lethargic Maliki government — is a compendium of internal contradiction, irresponsible scapegoating and primitive fear-mongering ("It's back to the future in the Middle East," July 26).

Early in his article, he refers to Bush's "supposed blunders," implying that there were no blunders. Later, however, he admits that "these past blunders remind us that we have few good choices."

Like the neocons who got us into the Iraq quagmire, Hanson predicts catastrophe if we leave Iraq.

Nearly 40 years ago, conservative warriors (mostly draftdodgers) warned that a U.S. pullout from Vietnam would result in a catastrophic Cold War loss. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and other Southeast Asia nations would fall into the Soviet orbit. That geopolitical prophecy proved false. We lost the Vietnam War, but won the Cold War. There was no catastrophe following our Vietnam defeat.

The Bush-Cheney team has assured us a dismal future in the Middle East. But to persist in their stubborn pandering to the Maliki government, which is taking a monthlong August holiday while U.S. troops sacrifice on its behalf, is incorrigibly stupid.

If Hanson and other conservative cheerleaders had to share in the sacrifice, their views would doubtless be less warlike and more oriented toward diplomacy.

AMERICA

POWELL HELPED TO LEAD U.S. INTO MESS IN IRAQ

Richard Halloran uses his column ("Even now, 'world still looks to America,' " July 29) to bathe us in feel-good rhetoric from Colin Powell.

But he neglects to mention that Colin Powell and his minions, including Hawai'i's James Kelly (former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs), helped thrust the country's foreign policy, relations and reputation into the sad state they are in.

Powell speaks as if he had nothing to do with the invasion of Iraq and "the low regard with which the U.S. is held in many countries."

He and Halloran blithely ignore his attempt to convince the world that the Iraq invasion was necessary because of Saddam's (nonexistent) WMD.

He later admitted to being duped by his administration colleagues. If — as Powell puts it — the "American people still believe in America," it is because they know that they can and soon will consign this venal, incompetent bunch and their failed policies to the dust bin of history.

AKAKA BILL

LET HAWAIIANS DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM

Tom Macdonald (Letters, July 24) and many others over the years have stated that the Akaka bill should be put up for an all- Hawai'i vote.

A reminder: The Hawaiians did not get to vote on the acts of treason and war by the U.S. government in the overthrow of their kingdom and in the imprisonment of their queen. Nor did they get to vote on the illegal annexation. The statehood vote was only a choice between remaining a territory or becoming a state. As a territory, Hawai'i had an appointed governor.

Now the Macdonalds want to put justice and the future of the Hawaiians up for a vote by all. Just like same-sex marriage, it will be a majority voting on the rights and justice to a special minority. Many will be the cultural (haole) descendants of the very people who denied the Hawaiians these rights and justice in the theft and annexation.

I am neither for nor against the Akaka bill. It is for the Hawaiians to decide what is best for them.

MEALS ON WHEELS

CITY SUPPORTIVE OF PROGRAMS FOR KUPUNA

State Deputy Health Director Susan Jackson's letter regarding Lanakila Meals on Wheels (July 30) implied that the city was responsible for that program's fiscal shortfall. In fact, the cause of the problem was the governor's late release of money appropriated by the Legislature, money available on July 1, 2006, but not released until November.

By contrast, the city has been very supportive of Lanakila Meals on Wheels.

We've awarded $825,000 to $1 million a year to Lanakila. Mayor Mufi Hannemann has supported the annual March for Meals since its inception in 2005. He led the march this year at the invitation of Lanakila, and was asked to help kick off the public fundraising campaign.

Moreover, the city allocates $6 million a year in federal and state-financed services for seniors. We partner with more than 15 nonprofit agencies to provide services to our kupuna, especially those who cannot live at home without assistance.

We're appreciative of the enactment of Senate Bill 1916, which, as Ms. Jackson pointed out, provides additional money for services for the elderly. However, this legislation was not introduced by the state administration, but was the result of the combined efforts of many groups collaborating to support our seniors.

This year's Legislature deserves hearty congratulations for appropriating an additional $895,000. Rather than attempting to pin blame on the city, the Department of Health should instead be encouraging the governor to release this badly needed money on a more timely basis so that our hard-pressed nonprofit providers don't have to struggle to serve the elderly while they await their state support.