Something is needed to curb isle gas prices
Based on a recent visit to the mainland, it seems that gasoline prices have fallen about 65 cents per gallon from their high point. In Hawaii, they seem to have fallen about 20 cents. Something is obviously wrong. While gasoline will always be higher in Hawaii compared to the mainland, it should be in the same ratio. Why haven't prices fallen here the way they should? I think this needs to be investigated.
While a gas cap might not be the answer, something needs to be done to prevent Hawaii residents from being ripped off by the oil companies.
Mark A. Koppel
Umauma, Hawaii
We need a traffic hot line, not excuses
The answers provided to the question posed in
Sept. 17's Kokua Line about a traffic hot line amount to stalls and excuses, not at all uncommon when politics are involved. The suggestion made was not for a 511 line, but rather something much easier such as the local phone number used on Maui. If Maui can afford a phone line, I would think that Oahu could as well.
The mayor's spokesman's words "something we'll certainly look at" leave a lot of room for inaction. While it might be nice that there are Web sites available to check traffic, most motorists are not prepared to go Web surfing while sitting on the freeway.
And the reader's statement about "thoughtless closures" referred to many instances other than just this one, where in fact a closure might have been warranted. Most of us are aware of other closures, such as the one Sept. 16 that closed three lanes on the H-3, where the reason undoubtedly is to simplify the investigation process.
Ron Martin
Honolulu
Police should help direct traffic at wrecks
Other than the damage to the pedestrian bridge, there were two things that caused
Sept. 5's traffic jam:
» The concrete barrier in the middle of the road. Why can't it be moved during an emergency so that the cars can cross over? On the mainland, the center of the highway is a grass median.
» The police. When I was young, policemen in the morning and afternoon directed traffic at busy intersections. Today, even in a construction site, the police officer is just standing around and looking in the hole, rather than moving the traffic flow. Most accident gridlock is caused not by the accident, but by having five police cars blocking the road to investigate the accident. The investigation is minor compared to the inconvenience of people affected by the traffic jam. How many officers were at Kamehameha Highway at every stoplight to move the flow of traffic that Tuesday night? None. Why? It is not their duty. If the highway is not their duty, why are they ticketing speeders, and why are they investigating a traffic accident?
The city needs a police traffic coordinator, whose total responsibility is to move traffic during a mishap, and not cause a tie-up by having 10 police cars at the site.
Alwin Shinkawa
Honolulu
Signwavers should not take over bus stops
It happens every year for the primary and general elections. While heading for the bus stop on Saturday at Hui Aeko Street in Temple Valley, I saw it was taken over by Sen. Dan Akaka's signwavers, who were not exactly waving signs, but were using the bus stop to display their signs and store their supplies for the day. There was absolutely nowhere to sit, which is unfortunate since the No. 65 bus runs only once every hour and six minutes. Please have a little consideration for those who actually ride the bus. Mahalo.
Gene Chow
Kaneohe
Let's give that Dog a bounty of support
You have a hero in your midst by the name of "Dog" Chapman. This is to let you all know that all of the United States is behind him and appreciates what he has done. Let him know how much you appreciate and support him and his family. Send your support to him by way of letters and donations to his defense funds. There will never be another "Dog."
Blessings to the people of Hawaii and to the Chapmans especially.
Carrie Weeks
McAlester, Okla.