Drivers, passengers take unnecessary risks
Loved Charles Memminger's column "Some drivers won't buckle to survival sense" (
Honolulu Lite, May 20).
On a visit to Oahu, I was surprised at the number of unbuckled motorists I observed. And let's not even get on the subject of people riding -- in both sitting and standing positions -- in the backs of pickup trucks. Why the need to defy physics?
Nancy Joyner
Hawaii visitor
Jackson, Calif.
Pedestrians shouldn't have right of way
I agree with John Arnold
(Letters, June 23) that reckless drivers should be ticketed and sometimes jailed. Reckless pedestrians also should be ticketed and jailed.
My body is precious and I'm not about to take any chances in getting hit by a vehicle regardless of who has the right of way. Giving the pedestrian the right of way was a big mistake. In nature, the strong prevail. Do what is natural. The law should be amended to give the vehicle the right of way and that would make the pedestrian more aware before crossing any street.
The current law that gives the pedestrian the right of way is just not working. The logic is that it is easier for the pedestrian to see the vehicle than the driver to see the pedestrian; it is easier for the pedestrian to stop than the vehicle to stop. But if the vehicle hits the pedestrian, both parties end up losers -- it's a lose-lose situation. The drivers are not deliberately hitting the pedestrians. It happens because the driver didn't see them or couldn't stop in time to avoid the accident.
Giving the pedestrian the right of way was a big mistake and has cost lots of lives. Of course, the lawmakers won't admit that. So be careful, regardless of who has the right of way ... the vehicle will always prevail.
Walter Ishii
Honolulu
Book didn't 'chastise' mayor about sewage
Thanks for the article about our book "Images of America: Waikiki" (
Features, June 25); however, two items need to be clarified.
The article states that we "chastised" the mayor over last year's sewage spill into the Ala Wai. In our book, we merely state that the mayor's decision was "controversial." His short-term solution to the crisis -- dumping 48 million gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal -- likely prevented an even worse catastrophe. As citizens, we should all share the blame for letting things get to that point. We would encourage vigorous and ongoing investigative reporting focused on the city's infrastructure as central to a long-term solution.
Also, credit for the photographs included with the article goes to the Hawaii State Archives and to the Center for Oral History at the University of Hawaii.
The book aims to present a public history of Waikiki by focusing on its environmental and social transformations. Overall, your article did a good job of explaining this.
Jim Kraus and Kai White
Waialua
Outdoor Circle should leave little guys alone
For years people driving along Kapiolani Boulevard passed the QuikSilver store. Chances are nobody thought it was an eyesore or something illegal. But that was then. Today, as small businesses struggle just to break even, they must now deal with complaints about their signs. This is ridiculous!
A recent TV news story reported the Outdoor Circle complained about the number of signs in front of QuikSilver. There is nothing flashy nor is there anything even remotely close to a billboard. However because of a city signage law, there apparently are too many signs fronting his property. Besides the main sign atop the store, there are two surfboards at the doors, a little logo on the door handles, and even clothing tags on apparel displayed in the windows that are being called signs. Who is this hurting? Nobody!
The Outdoor Circle has undoubtedly helped to prevent Hawaii from becoming a forest of billboard signs; however this type of action is silly and unnecessary and appears to be an attack on small business. Be helpful, not hurtful -- that's more the sign of the times.
J.Y. Matsuo
Honolulu
Pass laws to promote isles' culture, land
Thirty years ago I visited Hawaii on a tour through the radio station where I was employed. I returned to the mainland with visions of Hawaii as my constant companion. I quit my job in radio and went into the travel business, developing and escorting tours to the islands for more than 20 years. My husband and I also resided on Oahu for four years before moving back to the mainland to be closer to our grandchildren.
Hawaii and her people are still in my dreams. On a trip there this January I couldn't help but think "Where is the Hawaiian?" We need to educate our children here and in Hawaii to pass laws to preserve the islands, culture and environment before it is too late. We can't go back in time, but we can start now to preserve this beautiful place for future generations to enjoy.
Joyce Russell
Walbridge, Ohio