Bicyclists are intimidated by aggressive motorists
I had surgery on my biceps tendon recently. Now, as I ride my bicycle mode of transportation slowly, with my right arm in a sling, I've been intimidated and assaulted with near-misses by middle-aged Americans in 4,000-pound cars.Why do people think it is fair game to hate and sometimes kill bicyclists?
In 1994, my friend's father, Nick Rott, was killed on his bicycle by a motorist. I do not know the circumstances, but he has a widow and orphaned children to testify. Even Kona, the home of the Ironman Triathlon, is not a safe haven for healthy and environmentally sound bicyclists.
Now I read that the judge in the hit-and-run incident that killed Carl Viti, as he bicycled in Mililani, might let the driver go with a second-degree slap on the hand. I would love to remind his honor that what the motorist did was a violent crime against humanity. Thus, he should serve the maximum sentence, nothing less.
Michael E. Powers
HPD must start enforcing prostitution laws in Waikiki
As a resident of the Waikiki community, as well as a former law enforcement officer, I feel compelled to respond to former HPD officer Gerard Mahi's Aug. 4 assessment of the prostitution crisis in Waikiki. Although Mahi's letter admonished the public to assist HPD in its efforts against prostitution, he falls short in identifying a critical underlying causation factor -- selective enforcement.Mahi is correct in assessing the streetwalkers as "arrogant" in their defiance. However, their arrogance is evident with an apparent "look the other way" approach by Honolulu police officers. The lack of fear by prostitutes is a derivative of this enforcement approach.
Gabriel Wolfe
(Via the Internet)
UH program cuts narrow vista for high schoolers
I was disappointed to read about the elimination of the Summer Program for the Enhancement of Basic Education at UH-Manoa. I was one of those high school students who benefited greatly from this curriculum. Since the summer of my participation in SPEBE's Modern Media program, I have been motivated to pursue a communications degree. Sadly, future students may not give the same consideration because of this budget casualty.Matthew Lum
UH student
(Via the Internet)
Naito will be missed as chairman of PUC
Yukio Naito, retiring chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, is one of the hardest working public servants I have encountered, even though at times, I have disagreed with him on matters that affected the members of I.B.E.W. Local Union 1357.Integrity and honesty are two of his outstanding characteristics. During the past nine years, I learned to understand Chairman Naito's way of thinking and of his genuine concern for the 800-plus companies that are regulated by the PUC.
He is a public servant who has taken his job to heart serving the citizens of Hawaii. We need more people with the same work ethic in the PUC.
George Waialeale
(Via the Internet)
State must communicate in English and Hawaiian
Since Hawaii has two legal languages, government is obligated to provide bilingual communication providing Hawaiian does not restrict English speakers. However, by not providing Hawaiian, those like myself are denied the enjoyment of a beautiful language that we have chosen to learn and practice.Hawaiian could be used initially in an accommodating manner. Many simple ideas will acquire greater value because of the Hawaiian expression. As the people become familiar with the language, more of it may be reintroduced for the complex expressions.
Weather reports, surfing and diving conditions could be presented in Hawaiian using the existing beautiful expressions.
Thomas Kekamapilihonua Galioto
(Via the Internet)
Lobby group is not a gay-rights organization
You are dead wrong when you refer to Protect Our Constitution as a gay-rights organization. It is a community-based coalition formed to protect the civil rights of all of Hawaii's people.That's why organizations like the African American Association of Hawaii, First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, League of Women Voters, Japanese American Citizens League, Na Loio No Na Kanaka, National Asian Pacific Bar Association, Rainbow Peace Fund, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Hawaii Women Lawyers, Hawaii Association of International Buddhists Hawaii Ecumenical Coalition support a "no" vote to preserve equal rights for all people.
If the Constitution is amended to take away rights from one group, it will set a dangerous precedent that could target our senior citizens, children, native Hawaiians and any group deemed to be "different."
Clayton C. Ikei
The good, the bad and the GOP
Republicans could destroy state if they gain power
Who turns greed into the "entrepreneurial spirit," racism into "immigration and welfare reform," and jingoism into "patriotism?"Who opposes public schools, public libraries, rights and safety of workers and a clean environment?
Who whines about "big government," but cannot give enough money to a bloated Pentagon? Who is friendly to "small business" but friendlier to corporate mergers? To whose "big tent" have Oliver North, Randall Terry and David Duke gone for shelter?
It's the party that has plucked, sifted and distilled the dregs of American political philosophy, economics and culture.
Should the Republican Party, in its present manifestation, attain ascendancy in Hawaii, it will be a political enema of the worst kind.
R. Harding Teves
Republican primary results will depend on turnout
Attention, Linda Lingle supporters! If you do not support Linda Lingle in the primary election, she may not be in the general election for you to support.If you are a Democrat, Republican or an independent, a Libertarian or a Green, and you are sick and tired of how our present domination of one party has made us 49th or 50th in so many categories, you must support Lingle and you must do so in the primary.
Roger Evans
Keaau, Hawaii
When state cut services for needy, Lingle filled void
Judy Abben's July 27 letter attacking Mayor Linda Lingle's excellent human services record was long on political rhetoric and devoid of fact.When Governor Cayetano and the Legislature arbitrarily slashed state funding for important human services -- those dealing with homelessness, the elderly, youth, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse -- Maui County stepped forward to fill the gaps on Molokai, Lanai and Maui.
In response to the state's cutbacks, Maui County, under Mayor Lingle's directions, has increased four times the funding for social services that were previously recognized as state responsibilities.
Maui's social service agencies will confirm that Maui county has gone well beyond the traditional role of county government in Hawaii, in order to save essential human service agencies.
Our county has received awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for our creative use of community-based partnerships to leverage improvements in our human services infrastructure. Our homeless resource center concept has been recognized as a national model.
Under Mayor Lingle's leadership Maui County has learned how to be creative in making efficient use of our community's resources to improve the quality and availability of human services to our residents.
When government becomes more creative and efficient, even in tough times, the type of slashing of essential social services we have seen at the state level would not be necessary. All it takes is the type of commitment and concern that Mayor Lingle has.
Stephanie Aveiro
Director of Housing
& Human Concerns
County of Maui
Wailuku, Maui
Lingle tears down workers to achieve her aspirations
Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle insulted government employees when she said that the new permitting law approved by Governor Cayetano means automatic approval of permit applications because "government people don't do their work in a timely way."Her statement clearly exhibits her intention to make government workers the scapegoat in her campaign.
Noelani Kayatani
Mililani
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