Drunk fans at stadium put others in danger
I can't understand what's all the fuss about the alcohol ban at Aloha Stadium. To me it's simple: We cannot put having a good time above the life and limb of people.
It upsets me to see people who want to have fun at Aloha Stadium by drinking alcohol and then getting drunk at an event, then possibly getting into fights. This kind of action will only jeopardize innocent people who want to watch the event without the fear of getting hurt. And that is what drinking alcohol at Aloha Stadium will do. People will get hurt, and what if it's a child?
We need to ban all alcohol before, during and after events at Aloha Stadium. We have to put the safety of people first, rather than having a good time. It's the right thing to do.
Alan Kim
Aiea
Reckless pedestrians need to be educated
We had an adequate pedestrian law before the new law went into effect -- we just needed to enforce it. I drive for a living. What I am seeing is that reckless pedestrians far outnumber reckless drivers. Most pedestrian accidents are the fault of the pedestrian. Just because a person is in a crosswalk does not mean he is crossing safely.
Recently, I have noticed more pedestrians daring drivers to hit them. They defiantly step off curbs, against the light, and yell at the drivers who sometimes cannot safely stop for them. I have heard several adults yell, "You have to stop now, it's the law!" but they are only giving you 15 feet to stop on a wet road. More emphasis needs to be placed on educating pedestrians as to how to cross safely.
Making new laws is wrong. We just needed to have the original laws enforced, including the laws about jaywalking.
Tracy Clinger
Honolulu
Traffic problem needs action, not more talk
During my stymied commute home from Punahou to Aiea Tuesday evening, I couldn't help thinking about all the studies the city has done on the traffic problem.
I remember in the mid-1970s the City Council went to Paris to study its light-rail system. Cost to taxpayers: thousands. Follow-through and results: zero. I also remember this year's trip to Tokyo to study its rail system. Cost to taxpayers: thousands. Follow-through and results: zero. In both cases, I remember the smiling faces of mayors and Council members as they enjoyed their free trips.
The lack of initiative, imagination and ability to produce results in traffic management is more than disheartening. It is a disgrace. There is a time when studying the problem should end and action should begin. I think that time was about 1975.
Michael McCrary
Aiea
Mayor should support curbside recycling
Frankly, I am amazed and appalled that the mayor of Honolulu has cancelled curb recycling. Oahu has a limited amount of space and shouldn't be filled up by trash. Portland, Ore., has had curbside recycling for years and it WORKS. I would have thought Oahu would have had it years ago. Better rethink your decision, Mayor.
Stephanie McDougal
Gleneden Beach, Ore.
BOE should work harder for children
The Board of Education failed to follow the Reinventing Education Act. As a result, Hawaii's schoolchildren are again short-changed. Bad enough the Democrats in the Legislature passed such a watered-down law. The BOE should have implemented the formula fully to better serve the needs of the children.
The board can still correct its mistakes. It can still vote to fully implement the law. It also can remove restrictions on "categorical" program funds to allow teachers to decide how best to use those funds, rather than restricting them to only certain programs. It is time to replace the current board members with people who will work on behalf of Hawaii's schoolchildren. It also is time to replace legislators who are unwilling to pass real reform that will give our kids the education they need.
Anne Sabalaske
Honolulu