Traffic calming changes needed
The death of a 14-year-old Wahiawa Middle School student in Royal Kunia on Halloween night, is a tragic reminder that traffic calming measures are needed in this community.
In your article, "Witness sought in Leeward crash" (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 2), police said excessive speed and wet roads were factors in the crash.
By using roundabouts or speedbumps on Anonui Street and Anoiki Street in Royal Kunia, vehicle speed will be controlled and car racing will no longer occur.
Scott Kamiya
Waipahu
World demands Burma's release from dictator
As a Burmese expatriate, I am gratified by the various expressions of public outcry that have appeared in the Star-Bulletin, not to mention the critical analyses of thoughtful columnists.
The military wrested control of Burma (Myanmar) in the early 1960s from a democratically elected prime minister whose political party was torn by internal division and strife.
At the time it was thought that the takeover was temporary, and the military would oversee plans for a quick return to democratic rule. More than 40 years have elapsed since then.
At one time known as the rice bowl of Southeast Asia, the country's rich natural resources are the envy of surrounding countries like China, Thailand, India and others who continue to unfairly benefit from their trade with Burma at the expense of denying the fundamental right of an entire nation to basic freedoms, which the rest of us take for granted.
The situation in Burma is surely an anachronism in the 21st century and reminds us of an era of savagery that most of us think we have evolved beyond. I can only join the rising crescendo of voices from around the globe who are bringing moral pressure to bear on this brazen display of brute force by a small group of armed bandits posing as the military that has virtually hijacked a noble and ancient nation now under the virtual control of General Than Shwe, a full-blown narcissist with delusions of grandeur.
Al Braidwood
Manoa
We need to protect Earth's many species
We don't know how exactly, but this beautiful planet Earth developed and became populated with life forms of great diversity from the depths of its oceans to the tops of its mountains. Many still exist, performing physical feats that we humans cannot understand or duplicate.
For example, our kolea, who, without a GPS or any other assistance, can fly thousands of miles to its other home to mate and then fly back to Hawaii landing right at its own home!
The humpback whale also swims with its baby back to Alaska to feed each year, returning in the winter months to mate and bear young in Hawaii.
Here, in our beautiful state of Hawaii, it's our honor to witness many of these feats and document them, sometimes with the help of tiny transistors we attach to birds, fish, turtles and whales to record their long journeys. We do this not only out of awe and respect but with the hope of learning how we can all live together in peace and harmony.
We humans who seem somewhat feeble, requiring assistance to swim very far or to breathe underwater and who can't get far on land without some other form of transport, nevertheless -- by nature's endowment of the ability to walk, talk and read -- appear to be the "designated drivers" of this planet Earth. Only we can walk into court and plead the case of our fellow earthlings.
We cannot desert them -- it would not be pono.
Francesca Gabrielli
Honolulu
Are higher air fares on the horizon?
So Mark Dunkerley, CEO and president of Hawaiian Airlines, says "Mesa's intent was to drive local competition out of business and raise fares. We are pleased to see that the court has laid out the facts for all to see," (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 31).
Just what is it that Hawaiian Air has planned for the near future? Hmm! I bet it raises fares along with Aloha the minute go! leaves the islands. C'mon, don't insult our intelligence! We are not that naive and Hawaiian is not the poor-picked-on-underdog here! Rather, both Hawaiian and Aloha have been forced to offer decent fares for a change, instead of gouging the public.
Lori Allen
Honolulu
Kudos for protecting aina by recycling
Hurrah! I'm so glad to see Honolulu doing more in the area of recycling (Star-Bulletin, Nov. 2).
I'm a Hawaii transplant living in Flagstaff, Ariz. We have a co-mingled recycling can and one for trash. As a single person, I only generate one kitchen bag of trash and maybe a half can of recyclables per week. We have to take our glass to cans located around town. (I don't know how you guys are going to keep glass from breaking in the can and truck.) One trash pickup a week works for us. Recycling also helped the city of Flagstaff to defer buying land and opening another landfill. Hawaii doesn't need anymore land lost to garbage landfills.
So, kudos to the city's recycling department. Save the aina!
Mei Ling Chun
Flagstaff, Ariz.
Police should follow rules of road, too
I totally agree with your comments in the Oct. 9 editorial, "More enforcement of traffic laws key to fewer fatalities."
One side note that is really annoying is the number of times that I see law enforcement officers speeding, swerving in and out of traffic and tailgating for no reason other than they can get away with it. I know the story will be that "they are responding to a call," but if that were the case, then they should have lights on and/or sirens blasting. I know as often as I see this that it's just abuse of their position.
I have the plate numbers of the police vehicles observed displaying this inappropriate behavior. Of course, I do not expect that this will have any effect.
On the mainland you have state police, county sheriff departments and local police departments keeping each other in check and on professional terms. Seems like here on Oahu, one police force has full reign to act in whatever manner it wants without penalty.
I am sure HPD has many good officers, but this behavior seems to be so prevalent. I have to wonder what effect it has on younger drivers who see it. After all, why obey speed limits if the police officers don't have the discipline to follow the laws they are enforcing?
Rick Dittmer
Waianae