ONE of the scariest things about life is that it can change dramatically - and even be abruptly terminated - because of somebody else's ill-formulated decision and subsequent actions. Van Thong and his wife, Ra Sok, of Waialua lived that awful truism this past summer. Good reasons to race
to the MADD DashOn the evening of July 12, the couple and their three children were sitting in their Jeep Cherokee at a red light on Kamehameha Highway, when a Chevy Lumina driven by Donald Bogard rammed into them.
The impact tore off the back of the Cherokee, hurling 2-year-old Tony, 5-year-old Christina and 12-year-old Eddie onto the road. The eldest boy recovered from his head injuries, but his younger brother and sister did not. They died.
Police say Bogard, a 33-year-old Schofield soldier, had twice the legal alcohol limit in his system at the time of the crash. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree negligent homicide and one count of first-degree negligent injury.
So what can members of a compassionate, close-knit community do about the deaths of Tony, Christina and so many others in traffic accidents caused by booze and beer?
A good start is not drinking and driving ourselves, of course, nor allowing others in a tipsy condition to slip behind the wheel.
But since we can't snatch away the car keys from every inebriated soul, how about running, walking or sponsoring someone in the 12th Annual MADD Dash this Sunday?
It's a sound investment in public safety. All entry fees will stay in Hawaii and benefit the relentless efforts of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, one of the most effective watchdog organizations in the islands.
MADD has been instrumental in "persuading" drunk drivers from keeping off the streets. It lobbies like crazy for akamai laws, like those that raised the drinking age to 21 years and lowered the blood-alcohol threshold in the state to .08. It supports victims and their families in court and in counseling, and schedules lots of speeches and seminars.
It helped to create Students Against Driving Drunk chapters in the schools, and sponsors Project Prom/Graduation, poster and essay contests, and the Keep It a Safe Summer (KISS) Program, among other projects.
Moreover, it just launched its annual holiday public education campaign, "Focus on Youth," which is designed to target Hawaii's young people and enlist their help in reducing incidents of alcohol-related tragedies on wheels.
In a society that seems to be way too drug-happy, legal or otherwise, be glad that there's MADD.
BUT such efforts cost money. And since it isn't a state- or AUW-funded agency, and the yucky economy has hit nonprofits especially hard, it is vital to support MADD's major moneymaker, the MADD Dash.
How appropriate that the event's venue is the asphalt this group attempts to police.
The fun run/walk is a 5K (3.2 miles) that begins at the Hawaii State Library at King and Punchbowl streets at 4 p.m. The course makes a loop from the main library starting down King Street, goes around Thomas Square, heads ewa on Beretania, winds around at Aala Park and returns on King.
Registrations will be accepted all week and all the way up to the start (call 532-6232 for more info). Remember, this is one sporting event that doesn't entail getting up at dawn. Remember the $23 per person entry fee is an investment in the safety of the roadways.
Remember the Thongs.