Visitors should be told of high theft risk
We came to your beautiful island to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We were thoroughly enjoying the weather and beauty; however, only three days into our vacation more than $2,000 worth of our personal items were stolen from our rental vehicle. We were not warned by our hotel or car rental company of the prevalence of theft in Oahu. We have traveled extensively and have never had anything stolen before. When we did report our loss, the responses were, "Oh yes, theft is prevalent here on the island." No one was surprised or concerned. Too bad such a memorable trip to celebrate such a special occasion is tainted by the theft. If we had been warned, perhaps this would not have happened.
People employed in the tourism industry do not want to mention the fact that there is a crime problem in Oahu. By not informing tourists, they are doing a disservice to those victimized.
There is a definite problem. We do not know the solution but it needs to be addressed.
Hugh and Brenda Meade
Johnston, Iowa
Education flourishes at Kailua Intermediate
It's time that someone put in a good word for our public schools.
My seventh-grader is thriving at Kailua Intermediate School. We have an outstanding principal and vice principal who are passionate about their jobs; highly qualified and devoted faculty; and a courteous staff who keeps the school humming.
Public education is critical to our society and economy. It's an opportunity for our kids to learn to deal with real world issues and all kinds of people. Our students are a great bunch of kids. We have a wonderful group of parents, PTSA and School Community Council who support our school. The Gifted & Talented Program is an incredible program that rivals any private school.
The school values respect for everyone and will tolerate nothing less. Safety is one of their priorities.
The best part: My daughter is growing up in her community. Her friends live in her neighborhood. She bikes to school at 7:30 a.m., enjoys the Boys & Girls Club after school and is home in plenty of time to finish her homework before soccer practice at the district park.
Let's hear it for our public schools!
Renae Bell
Kailua
Police made a great run even more fun
My wife, Carolyn, sister Sue and I participated in the Great Aloha Run on President's Day, Feb. 19. It was fantastic. I felt like a champ and despite using braces and crutches for mobility had decided to walk the route again (my fourth time in 13 years), intending to beat my best time of 5.5 hours. I didn't want to walk and ride my wheelchair this time because I wanted to prove to myself that taking a new product (Isagenix) for four months would pay off.
My goal was to finish before 12 p.m., and I did it -- at 11:10 a.m. I told my wife that next year, I'll break 11 a.m. Not too shabby for a 63-year-old crippled guy, huh? Even my recovery was amazing since it usually took a week to rid myself of all the aches and pains. But not this time -- it took two days. No more riding my wheelchair and walking. I told my wife I will walk the complete route, 8.2 miles, every year.
We really appreciated the men and women in blue who were protecting us, keeping us safe despite the fact we were all alone by the time we reached the airport viaduct. I told the cops that I walked the route every three years because I always felt bad about tying up so many cops hanging around to keep us safe. Their responses were so great, so wonderful, it gave me more motivation to keep on truckin'. I loved them all for making feel like they did and keeping my family safe. A big mahalo nui loa to all the sergeants and officers of our Honolulu Police Department who did a great job at the Great Aloha Run. God bless all of you.
Art Frank
Foster Village
Mahalo and aloha, dapper Coach Clague
Local soccer buffs and followers of the world's game wish Punahou Coach Bob Clague well in his retirement from 34 years of coaching and 17 state championship titles (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 18).
Ever the dapper English gentleman on and off the playing field, Bob instilled a combination of power, pace, skill and discipline into all his teams.
Kudos to Kalani and Coach Myles Arakawa (former coach of many fine Iolani teams) for making the final a thrilling game that Punahou edged 3-2.
Paul Perretta
Honolulu
Phoning while driving is worse than drinking
With the ever-increasing carnage happening on Oahu's roads, I wonder how many of the drivers and pedestrians involved are on cell phones at the time of the accidents.
Studies have shown that a person driving and using a cell phone, hands free or not, is four times more likely to be involved in an accident than a drunk driver. What I have observed of drivers on cell phones bears out the truth of these studies.
The lawmakers of Hawaii are being derelict in their duties by not immediately passing a ban on driving while using cell phones. All of our lives are at risk.
While on the road, get off the damn phone!
Barry Wolfe
Kaneohe
Crack down on drivers, not jaywalkers
How fascinating that the Honolulu Police Department has determined the best way to save pedestrian lives is to cite pedestrians who start to cross the street when the pedestrian light is flashing (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 7).
Perhaps Chief Boisse Correa will explain why not one single driver has been cited for accelerating through a flashing yellow light?
Rico Leffanta
Honolulu