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Union leaders should be more open-minded

The heads of the public worker unions -- United Public Workers, Hawaii Government Employees Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association -- should put aside their collective "us and them" attitudes, stop declaring any reform proposals as "anti-worker," and start thinking of these proposals (and that's all they are, just proposals) as "pro-taxpayer," a group that includes their own members.

A reduction in future benefits should be much more palatable than a reduction in the work force and union membership.

Jim Fromm
Waipahu

American Airlines will get leg up on rivals

It was with great interest that I read the Feb. 4 Associated Press story on American Airlines' offer of more leg room for its coach passengers. How refreshing to find an airline with the comfort of its customers in mind.

I have been a frequent flyer of American's competitor for 25 years. My loyalty has just changed.

Tom G. Anderson

HMSA doesn't tell doctors how to use PAs

Tony Allen's Feb. 3 letter related his concerns about HMSA's benefits for care received from a physician assistant (PA) at the Hale Le'a Family Medical Clinic in Kilauea, Kauai.

HMSA supports the use of PAs in providing quality health care to our members. We have no intention of withdrawing coverage for PA services in Kilauea or anywhere else in Hawaii.

HMSA is in no way dictating how physicians may employ PAs. We have asked, however, that managing physicians provide documentation of the state-required oversight.

We regret any confusion over HMSA's policies. It is certainly not our intention to, in any way, disrupt the care that patients are receiving at their clinics, and we apologize for the misunderstanding.

Cliff K. Cisco
Senior Vice President
Hawaii Medical Service Association

Home-schoolers should be compensated

Legislative action is coming to provide an attempted repair to the faltering Hawaii public education system. What if the fix is outside the system?

Suppose it costs $5,000 per person per month to educate a public school student. How about paying parents to consider alternative schooling?

Home-schooling merely means students are not educated by a government-run school. They could learn at home and could form groups so tutors could teach subjects like chemistry or higher forms of math.

Let's give the home-schooler $3,000 of the $5,000 each month to educate himself or herself. This would still provide the public schools with $2,000 per month per home-schooler to have smaller classes.

The worst-case scenario is that all public school students would choose to be home-schooled. Then the need for the public schools will be gone. What would we tell our aspiring teachers then?

Keith Harrington
Aiea

Shoulder lanes are for emergencies only

I drive the H-1 freeway, east bound, almost every morning. There is a stretch by the Pearl City on-ramp where cars regularly use the shoulder lane as an extra lane in the morning rush-hour traffic.

When this occurs, where is a motorist having car trouble supposed to pull over and park? Isn't a shoulder lane supposed to be used for emergencies only?

This quick fix to congested traffic is compromising driver safety.

Dayle Liu
Pearl City

Quotables "The first time (I surfed) was after a benefit I did with Andre Agassi and he gave me this huge surfboard. I loved it, though I'm a little afraid of the ocean because of, well, you know, the sharks." LeAnn Rimes 17-YEAR-OLD CROONER Looking forward to both her Saturday concert at the Blaisdell Arena and a Hawaiian vacation "We acknowledge that we have some administrative problems, but (they) don't justify the findings that public safety is jeopardized." Ted Sakai DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR In response to a state auditor's report accusing the department of breaches of security, compromising the well-being of the community and a lack of leadership

Feeders of cats shouldn't be blamed

The state Health Department's proposed legislation to fine cat caretakers who feed cats in public places is puzzling. It says that caretakers are causing an increase in the stray cat population.

How is this possible when the caretakers are trapping stray cats and having them spayed? These cats can't produce any kittens.

Also, why is leaving food out for cats being blamed for an increase in the rodent population? No respectable cat can resist chasing and killing a mouse or rat. If you got rid of all the stray cats, there would be a huge increase in rodents and disease.

Consider the recent Star-Bulletin series on the black plague 100 years ago in Honolulu. It was caused by rat fleas.

Patricia Pang

Aiea librarian does exemplary work

I am taking adult education classes in pursuit of my Hawaii competency-based high school diploma. When I needed information to complete an assignment for my community resources class, Earline Funakoshi at the Aiea Library was very helpful.

The librarian clearly and politely explained everything, including how to use the computer to check out books or read magazines online. By the time I left, not only did I have all the information I needed, but I had become a firm believer in the value of local libraries.

Yong Gregson
Aiea

Joe Moore film leaves viewers glowing

Finding a movie that is worth your time is not always easy these days. Locating one that both you and your mate would enjoy is even more difficult.

As my wife and I left the Koolau Theater after seeing Joe Moore's movie, "Moonglow," we looked at each other and said in unison, "What a terrific picture!"

Here you have marvelous performances, an intriguing story line, humor and more. This is a great example for other local producers, who may have aspirations about which they have only dreamed.

"Moonglow" is an example of what you get when talent and taste team up with opportunity.

Richard Kindelon
Kailua

Bike helmet is cheap compared to loss of life

There appears to be much debate on whether there should be a law requiring children to wear helmets while bicycling. I want to explain why I strongly support this bill.

I have been riding bikes since I was 6 years old. I still remember when my father took off the training wheels and steadied me for my first trip down the street. What a thrill.

He taught me how to ride, but in the 1950s helmets were unheard of -- at least in my small town. I had the parental supervision that some refer to as a precaution in lieu of helmets, but Dad did not prepare me (or himself) for what happened nine years later.

I didn't know the man who came into my hospital room. He looked very sad. The man said that I had been unconscious for a couple weeks, and that he was my father.

My friend and I were riding down a secondary street with no cars in sight, when my bike's chain slipped as I stood up to get momentum.

I flew over the handlebars and can still feel the place where I landed on my head.

I woke up with amnesia and still have only vague memories of my childhood. Yet I consider myself lucky. Others were not as fortunate.

Some have pointed out that many people cannot afford to buy a bicycle helmet. But my father could not afford the medical bills that my crash incurred.

This bill before the Legislature is meant to protect our youth, who have not yet learned to make these important decisions for themselves. Wearing a helmet from a young age sets up a habit that can -- and does -- save lives and injuries.

Ann C. Peterson
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

American flag should fly higher than others

At the Ala Moana Shopping Center, there are four flag poles on the Liberty House end and four at the Sears end. Why are all the flags being flown at the same level as the American flag?

This is also the case at the Hawaii Convention Center. It is flying all of its flags at the same level as the Stars and Stripes.

Check out the flags at McDonald's. Now that business knows how to fly its flags right.

Lester Forrest

Waianae Coast needs emergency-only roadway

Regarding a second route into and out of the Waianae Coast, how about a one-lane emergency road?

It could be normally gated to prevent through traffic, and be constructed with as much care as possible around Kaena Point.

Because it would be one lane, it would be as unobtrusive as possible to that protected area, and should help to preserve any rare plant species.

Such a road could help ease the evacuation process in case of an approaching hurricane or tsunami; thus, it would act as a one-way emergency exit.

At other times, such as when Leeward's Farrington Highway is blocked, this access road would act as a one-way alternate route into the Waianae area.

As an added benefit, such a road, when normally gated, could provide pedestrian access to Kaena Point. Signs along the road could ask hikers to remain on the paved trail so as to protect any endangered plants.

Jeffrey Herman

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