All our elected officials should be drug-tested
Important jobs that concern people in service-oriented occupations have been establishing mandatory drug tests. Observing the actions of our legislators and government, they, too, should have mandatory drug tests for all of them. Legislators have been caught for DUI and other things that it merits having them all tested since the ramifications of their actions affect all of us.
So, come on governor and the rest of the legislators and politicians, you are not above the laws, get that cup and fill 'er up!
David M.K. Inciong II
Pearl City
Driver courtesy could make biking safer
In response to
Michael A. Glenn's July 27 letter, bicyclists on the roadway "... shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this part ..." (HRS 291C-142). The special rules applicable to bicycles (not very different from other vehicles (see (HRS 291C-41) 4 (b)) do not apply in many instances, including when traveling at or above the normal speed of traffic (that is, the average or mean speed of vehicles on the roadway at the time, including bicycles -- NOT the much higher instantaneous speeds of motor vehicles as they race from one traffic signal to the next, honking at those blasted bicyclists in their way), or when reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions, which includes many hazards motorists disregard, such as puddles, surface imperfections, drain gratings, gravel, debris (common on the roadside as many streets are rarely or never swept) and those blasted motorists honking at you before racing by with dangerously insufficient leeway. In general, the vehicle in front has the right of way, even when that vehicle is a bicycle.
Most of us are doing the best we can under trying circumstances -- a little patience and consideration goes a long way.
Ed Chen
Ewa Beach
Democrats get a break from elections office
Chief election officer Kevin Cronin might be new to Hawaii but his rulings appear to be strong support for the Democratic Party and its candidates. This is a "same old story" for us experienced Hawaii voters.
The Star-Bulletin seemed to have this case well detailed in terms of the specifics. How his office can rule in favor of letting state Sen. Kirk Caldwell "withdraw" from the Senate race on Tuesday for the purpose of filing in the City Council race but then consider his "withdrawal" only upon receipt of written documentation on Wednesday so as to allow the Democrats to appoint a replacement on Saturday is clearly a Democratic Party convenient decision.
Why not be fair to all voters and parties? There should be one interpretation of the rules and it should not favor one party over another. Either you meet the time and signature requirements or you do not.
Maybe if elections were fair in Hawaii more folks might consider voting to be worthwhile and our state would not find itself at the bottom of the list for the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.
Paul E. Smith
Honolulu
Kailua wasn't always full of selfish yuppies
Contrary to Adrienne L. Wilson-Yamasaki's insightfulness of the demographic make-up of certain communities
(Letters, July 29), I must intervene on Kailua's behalf. Kailua wasn't always an SUV-Starbucks-latte town. It became one when "other" people found the lifestyle of country living appealing. The Kailua I and quite a few others grew up in was of regular people struggling to survive. If we were at the beach it was to fish for food. We shared our backyard gardens with each other. Our parents' labor talents were available to their friends for free. My father fixed Jack Burns' plumbing as well as Ah Kau Young's. For free!
Please don't stereotype a community for what it has become unless you know what it once was -- an extended ohana, and not the bloated yuppiefied town it has become.
Louie Vierra
Haiku, Maui
Rail is not solution to traffic mess
Your
July 29 editorial -- "Rail transit not the only solution to traffic congestion" -- is totally false and misleading.
Rail transit is not a "solution" because rail will not reduce traffic, the single and only important reason to build a mass transit system. All other reasons are secondary or irrelevant.
Rail is not even an alternative as the mayor suggests because "alternative" implies it is a solution, which is not true.
Ben Ramelb
Honolulu
Kind strangers aided fallen pedestrian
On Tuesday last week while walking along Kinau Street, I tripped and fell flat on my face, resulting in a trip to the emergency room and a stitched-up mouth. I would like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to the passersby who stopped to help me. Your assistance helped make a traumatic experience much less traumatic and I am so appreciative.
Thank you.
Pat Paakaula
Honolulu