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Road rage in Hawaii shouldn't be surprising

Why should road rage surprise anyone ("Survey: Road Rage in isles widespread," Star-Bulletin, Jan. 5)? With more traffic and more people being stressed from working to make ends meet, it is apparent our state and county transit departments know little, if anything, about good traffic flow planning, setting reasonable speed limits, pedestrian bridges or traffic management.

Good driving techniques are not taught or tested on licensing exams. Thus driving habits are rarely formed through education. When was the last time anyone saw a police officer ticket a poor driver for hindering traffic flow?

I drive more than 20,000 miles on Oahu each year. I am amazed to see student drivers in the freeway passing lane with a driving instructor sitting to their right; slower drivers failing to move to the right while going less than 45 miles per hour in the passing lane; drivers failing to use turn signals; and those not courteous enough to get out of the left lane or pull over to the side of the road to let others pass.

Apparently, the "traffic experts" do not drive in our traffic or ask Oahu drivers for solutions. otherwise they'd take actions to reduce or eliminate these things.

John Riggins
Kapolei
Via the Internet

Whatever happened to courtesy on the road?

I've noticed that drivers in Hawaii have shown increasingly aggressive driving habits. Once I was stopped at a red light and an angry driver honked his horn at me. I was verbally cursed for allowing an elderly woman to cross the street, and was given the finger for driving the speed limit. What's wrong with this picture?

Ryan Tin Loy
Via the Internet

Espero has eschewed Republican ideals

Garry Smith says in his Jan. 5 letter that he finds Governor Cayetano's appointment of Willie Espero as Ewa Beach's representative mystifying. Another perfect example of a Republican not being able to see beyond the end of his nose.

Smith is correct that Willie (as his friends call him) ran for office as a Republican in 1992. However, since Dec. 14, 1994, he has been a member of the Democratic Party. He obviously realized, based on his extensive participation in community affairs in Ewa Beach, that the principles and values of the Democrats were more attuned to his and his community's concerns for improvement and advancement.

During the past several months, we've heard much from the Republican Party about its "success" in recruiting Democrats to switch parties. However, the only example thus far is Harvey Tajiri of the Big Island. To the Republicans I say, as I did when Frank Fasi switched, "You're welcome to him!"

The public will learn soon enough that the Democrats got the better part of the present trade.

Walter M. Heen
Chairman
Democratic Party of Hawaii

Quotables "I don't know if he remembers this or not, but I played with him the first time he broke 80." June Jones UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII HEAD FOOTBALL COACH On PGA golfer and former fellow Oregonian Peter Jacobsen, who won the Johnny Bellinger Shoot-Out at Waialae Country Club "He was the man. He did everything well. And I hate to tell stories on the guy, but he was great at football, basketball, baseball. But he was a terrible swimmer. He went right to the bottom of the pool." Peter Jacobsen PROFESSIONAL GOLFER On June Jones

Madge Tennent was Hawaii's finest artist

I'm outraged at the glaring omission of renowned artist Madge Tennent from your "100 Who Made a Difference" series.

This is not to diminish those chosen on the basis of their distinguished contributions to Hawaii in the 20th century. However, why would a woman widely regarded as the pre-eminent artist of Hawaii, and known for her generosity, be so blatantly excluded from this illustrious list? Was this slight merely an oversight, or simply blissful ignorance of her significant contributions?

Among those who sang her praises were John Dominis Holt (also conspicuously absent from your list) and Patricia Hartwell, who once wrote, "In the visual arts, Madge Tennent has no equal among the underappreciated artists of Hawaii."

These sentiments were reinforced by the state Senate, which adopted a resolution on Feb. 8, 1972, in honor of the late artist, stating, "Better than any other artist to date, Madge Tennent was able to capture and honestly express the quiet grace and dignity of the Hawaiian people."

Nothing speaks more profoundly for Madge Tennent than her work itself. I therefore challenge your editors to take an aesthetic leap of faith and visit the Tennent Gallery. Witness firsthand why this artist's legacy endures.

Buz Tennent

Permanent trustees should have picked CEO

Uh, oh. Are the interim trustees of Kamehameha Schools behaving as though they are no longer interim?

In my opinion, the appointment of a CEO and his/her deputies should be the kuleana of the appointed permanent trustees.

While the interim leaders may have made a thoughtful choice, let us only hope it is truly the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Kaupena Wong
Waianae

Critics don't understand new set-up of estate

The grumbling coming from Kamehameha alumni regarding the appointment of a new CEO may stem from the fact that they haven't had an opportunity to evaluate the future governance structure.

The overall plan must also include the appointment of an internal auditor and staff to establish adequate internal controls. They will set up programs of checks and balances to alert the internal audit staff of any weaknesses in procedures, systems and qualifications of employees. They will also have the ability to inform management of any weak or malfunctioning area within the administrative, financial, assets management, legal, tax, educational, profit-making and all other divisions within the estate.

The role of the new board of trustees as a policy-making body will enable the appointment of highly qualified professionals who will have the oversight to supervise the estate and set policies. Their professional positions will permit them to serve for moderate compensation; many may serve for no compensation at all.

Mervyn C. Thompson, CPA
Kamehameha Schools, Class of 1945
Via the Internet

Bishop Estate Archive

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