Postal workers use back-in method to park
Thank you, Desmond Yen, for the
April 10 letter on backing into parking spaces for safety. The extensive safety course on driving and parking for the operators at the U.S. Postal Service does require all vehicles to reverse into a parking stall for a safer view when departing.
What safety tips I learn at work, I do apply at home.
Michael Nomura
Kailua
Ethanol damages car, boat engines
Ethanol has some benefits, but the bad side effects far exceed the good. The public does not realize that certain fuels and additives used in fuels, particularly diesel cars and patio torch fuels, absorb moisture (water) from the atmosphere, which accumulates in their containers. Untreated or extracted (drained) water eventually messes up the engine's carburetors or fuel injection system.
Back in the early 1970s (the gas shortage years), when diesel cars became popular, buyers were not told that, like jet airplanes and diesel trucks, their tanks had to be regularly treated for water or algae-fungus would grow, eventually requiring costly repairs. Another problem at that time was that the "ethanol-gas" fuel marketed by one company damaged certain gas engines, particularly in air-cooled cars and some expensive European cars.
With mandated 10 percent ethanol in gas, my Shell gas station mechanic recommends treating the gas tank with a drying additive every six months. Ethanol in gasoline used in small engine equipment, particularly boat engines, very quickly causes problems.
The fuel experts didn't communicate these costly facts, and our legislators didn't do their homework. Hawaii residents get screwed again!
Birch Akina
Aiea
Fear won't help cope with global warming
Global warming! Climate change! Global warming! Climate change! Global warming!
OK, I get it! What can be done, realistically? Even if we could cut greenhouse gases to zero tomorrow there would be no remarkable effect on climate change for hundreds or thousands of years. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to cut greenhouse gases -- just that it probably won't do much good.
We cannot do anything about the gases that volcanoes put into the atmosphere. Some of the Krakatoa eruption of 1883 that put ash and dust into the air is still there after 124 years.
If global warming will cause more severe tropical storms, shouldn't we be looking for ways to make them less severe? There have been some experiments with seeding hurricanes that have been successful in reducing their severity. Shouldn't this technology be advanced so we could avoid disasters like Hurricane Katrina?
If global warming will cause sea levels to rise, putting coastal areas in danger, shouldn't we be building levees or making plans to move people out of harm's way?
Shouldn't we be working on some type of vacuum cleaners to clean the air of pollutants?
I challenge the fear-mongering global warming/climate change people to suggest practical ways to fight the problem instead of just wringing their hands.
Otto Cleveland
Pearl City
Families of fallen will receive medals
Monday will be a special day in Hawaii, a day of remembrance for Hawaii-based military personnel who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan between March 2006 and this February. In a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, a Hawaii Medal of Honor will be presented to the families of 66 fallen military men and women.
The Hawaii Medal of Honor, enacted in 2005, is an expression of Hawaii's gratitude and aloha for those who gave their lives for our country. It is also a reminder of the meaning of pledging allegiance to our country.
Let's consider this idea of "duty." Personally, duty was taught to me by my mother and father who served during World War II in the Navy and Air Force, respectively. Upon their return from the war, they continued to serve others through the Elks Club and other community organizations. My parents taught me to realize that we're part of something greater than ourselves and that a sense of duty goes beyond our families to our community, our state, our nation and our world.
The men and women we shall honor lost their lives while fulfilling their duty. In a small way, as we recognize their commitment and welcome their families to our state Capitol, we affirm the meaning of duty to our country.
Rep. Cindy Evans
D, North Kona-South Kohala
Chairwoman, Public Safety and Military Affairs
Fight drug use with oral fluid tests
I would like to applaud Sen. Clayton Hee for taking a hard stand in the war on drugs. Drug use has become a major issue in Hawaii, especially with the alarming rise of crystal meth use. Hee's call to use oral fluid drug screening as an alternative means of drug-testing is a great way for businesses to maintain drug-free working environments. With more frequent and widespread drug testing, oral fluid drug screening has the potential to be a major deterrent of drug use.
The result? Safer, more productive work environments, fewer drug-related crimes and, ultimately, a safer place to live. Hee is definitely leading us in the right direction.
Kyle Chock
Honolulu