LEGISLATION NEEDED ON LOUD VEHICLES

Noise from excessively loud vehicles is destroying the quality of life in residential Honolulu. The culprits are a very small number of extremely noisy mopeds, motorcycles and hot rods. They drive through our communities in the middle of the night, waking up thousands of working families.

This can be stopped. Today's vehicles have been designed to be wonderfully quiet - unless deliberately modified to make as much noise as possible. We must enact and enforce legislation which sets a decibel limit on vehicular noise output. Revenue from ticketing will pay for the increased police presence needed to enforce an anti-noise law.

Makiki and all other working communities call upon our legislators to provide HPD with the resources and mandate to stop out-of-control vehicular noise. The antisocial people who race vehicles with insanely loud stereos, revving engines designed for maximum decibel output, through sleeping communities in the middle of the night will not relent until forced to.

STEVE PERCHEMLIDES | Honolulu

WORLD RESOURCES

SHARING, SUSTAINABLE CHOICES SHOW LOVE

Unlike many children in this world, my child's stomach is not bloated from hunger and unclean food, and his lungs are not burdened by pollution, dirty living conditions or chronic illnesses.

Unlike many mothers in this world, I do not have to carry water every day. I have a bunch of appliances that make nurturing a home incredibly easy. Unlike many, I am educated, able to choose my work and pursue my dreams.

America, the land of bounty, surrounds us with small luxuries. Luxuries we think of as necessities. Luxuries that come at costs far greater than the credit card debt we use to pay for them.

Did you know Americans consume more than our share? Americans are 5 percent of the world's population but consume 20 percent to 30 percent of all natural resources. Doesn't that seem grossly greedy?

What does it mean to love our neighbor? Anything we can do to take less and share more is a loving act. Every day, we can choose to use less fossil fuel, eat more sustainable food and buy more sustainable "stuff."

Every day, we can share our blessings and wealth so others can enjoy these same luxuries. We show love with every choice we make.

JOHANNA VENTURA | Wainiha, Kauai

REPAVING

ROAD CREWS DOING GREAT JOB IN KAILUA

I'd like to serve up a massive mahalo to all the road crews who have been repaving our streets over here in Kailua.

They're doing a great job and we really appreciate the hard work and smoother, quieter streets!

ROBERT "RABBETT" ABBETT | Kailua

ABERCROMBIE

RESIGNATION WILL COST TAXPAYERS

I just want to thank Neil Abercrombie for his decision to resign early from his term as a House member. His hubris just cost us either (1) $2 million to hold a special election; or (2) going without representation until next year.

Either way, Neil, way to go. You did Hawaii proud.

MARK STITHAM | Kailua

$2 MILLION COULD HELP CUT A FURLOUGH DAY

Am I the only one who thinks spending $2 million on a special election to replace Rep. Abercrombie for a few months, instead of spending it to cut out a teacher's furlough day, is a terribly misplaced priority?

Frankly, an automatic "no" vote on every idiotic idea considered by this current Congress (which is the practical effect of not having a representative) would be a vast improvement over Abercrombie's performance, or for that matter anyone likely to replace him.

Can't we just happily settle for a few months of the best congressional representation we've ever had by leaving the office unfilled until November 2010?

JIM HENSHAW | Kailua

HOMELESS

THERE'S A GOOD PLOT OF LAND FOR TENTS

Last week, a letter to the editor suggested that government plots could be used as tent areas for the homeless. I think that is a great idea to get the homeless off the beaches and out of the parks.

There is a government green area that would be perfect for that. It has plenty of green space, place to put up tents, water/toilet access, easy bus access and room to grow vegetables for the homeless.

It's the area between King Street and Beretania, bounded by Alapai and Richards streets.

It might be a good idea to actually bring the politicians and homeless closer together to a place where they can meet face to face on a daily basis and try to resolve the problems we have, rather than move it from one place to the next.

D. O. RAUSCHER | Honolulu

OBAMA IN KAILUA

VISIT PUTS DAMPER ON OTHERS' VACATION

Is it just me or is anyone else annoyed that when President Obama stays in Kailua all of us who "really" live here cannot enjoy our Christmas vacation? I voted for him but I tend to wonder if this choice of housing was not a very well-taken one considering the security issues.

Food for thought: In the future he could stay at a military facility.

There is supposed to be good surf this week at the beach near where he is staying, but now I have heard that the water will be "off-limits."

"Argh" is all I and my family have to say.

A. ASHTON | Kailua