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Don't ban use of kava by drivers

In your Dec. 5 editorial on kava, you recommended that a bill banning any substance that impairs a driver's ability should be reintroduced in the next session of the Legislature. I hope that this was an editorial slip, since the list of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that fall into this category is long, indeed.

We are all concerned about impaired drivers, and the hazards of our increasingly crowded streets and highways. But passing more laws to ban substances is not the way to deal with the problem. People must be persuaded not to drive while impaired, whether by alcohol, Valium, Robitussin, marijuana or kava.

Prohibition doesn't work. We need to look for more rational ways to deal with problems resulting from psychoactive substances. To demonize kava through inaccurate comparisons with alcohol or by passing laws to prohibit it is irrational and an affront to the long tradition of the spiritual and ritual use of this plant throughout the Pacific islands.

Donald M. Topping

Kava affects drivers differently from alcohol

The gist of your Dec. 4 article on kava and Dec. 5 editorial is correct. However, from the point of view of our islanders, the effect of kava juice on the ability of a driver is different from someone driving after drinking alcohol. Someone under the influence of kava tends to act slower, especially as the drinking increases -- quite the opposite effect of alcohol.

In the old days, those who drank too much kava used to walk or crawl home when their muscular systems reached near-paralysis. On the advent of the automobile, the vehicles of some of these kava drinkers would end up in banana groves or muddy ditches.

The drivers suffered little injury, though, since the mostly two-lane roads were, in many instances, unpaved. But kava drinkers can be a menace in the big city, especially when driving on four- to six-lane highways.

Bermin F. Weilbacher
Pohnpei,
Federated States Micronesia

State wants to gouge locals with camping fees

After reading your Nov. 29 story on how the state is going to charge campers a $5-10 fee per night, I couldn't help but reflect on the days I grew up in Hawaii and camped out for free.

In New England, camping in state parks is mostly free or for a modest charge of $2 a night for the permit. In New Hampshire and Maine, I've yet to pay any fees for hiking and camping.

If there is a planned campground with running water, facilities and numbered camp sites, the charge is $5-10. It includes activities for the kids put on by the camps, so you're paying for the extra effort made by the campground owners to make your family experience more enjoyable.

It it obscene to charge anyone $10 for the pleasure of hiking some of the most beautiful trails in the world. I can't wait to see the fishermen's families at Mackenzie on the Big Island paying $5 a night to camp out after they return from a night's fishing, or the chance to spend $5 atop Kokee in the Kauai rain.

I remember when only the tourists were gouged in the islands. Now they're going after locals. Don't you already pay enough to live in paradise?

Mark Fontanella
Wellesley, Mass.

Criminal workers should lose pensions

I agree with your Dec. 6 editorial, "Using state facility to hide gambling ring," that government employees who betray the public trust should be punished.

While ethical behavior is hard to legislate, perhaps if such miscreants suffered a loss of some of their pension benefits, behavior would improve.

Evelyn S. Pacheco

Quotables "Stolen identity is becoming a bigger...problem every day. It's doomed to be one of the most difficult crimes of the new millennium." Letha DeCaires HONOLULU POLICE DETECTIVE On "stolen identity," the fastest-growing crime in the United States "One, we need to get ourselves organized. Second, we need to address the issues that we need to present to the Legislature. That's one of the top priorities." Oswald Stender TRUSTEE-ELECT FOR THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS Urging the state Supreme Court for a quick dismissal of an OHA election challenge that has kept the trustees from being sworn in

Jim Nabors gives so much to the islands

In my 46 years as an entertainer and citizen of Hawaii, I have never seen anyone more dedicated to a community than Jim Nabors. His understanding and implementation of the meaning of aloha is genuine.

In being a part of his annual Christmas shows at the Hawaii Theatre (three sold-out performances), I experienced first-hand his sense of sharing -- donating his entire performance fee to the Honolulu Symphony, giving young local musicians and entertainers their initial opportunity to perform in a first-class production, and allowing veteran entertainers the opportunity to revisit their youth. The working environment was filled with smiles and hugs.

Goodness has no ethnicity, so I'd like to nominate Jim Nabors as Hawaiian of the Year.

Jimmy Borges

Clinton sacrificed Gore for Hillary

Last April, when little Elian Gonzalez was seized from a Miami home, I wondered why President Clinton would do something so bold in such an important state during an election year.

Now that Bill's ambitious spouse is senator-elect of New York, it seems apparent that Al Gore was sacrificed so the president could become first lady in four years.

Ted Swanson

Fluoridated water deserves approval

Our organization fully supports the position on fluoride stated by Bruce Anderson, state director of health, and cited in your Oct. 9 editorial. We agree that fluoridation of Hawaii's water will benefit our children.

This is the most cost-effective way to reduce the dental decay of our citizens. Hawaii's children have more than twice the national average of tooth decay.

Fluoridated water has been safely used in the U.S. for more than 55 years and is currently being consumed by 145 million Americans.

We are aware of vocal opponents of the fluoride issue and efforts to polarize the debate. But the overwhelming weight of professional research -- reviewed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Medical Association and the Hawaii Academy of Pediatrics -- supports fluoridation.

It is a health issue, not a political or an emotional issue.

Our water is chlorinated and 13 percent of our population on military bases already drink fluoridated water. Yet non-military residents cannot even buy fluoridated water in bottles at grocery stores because it isn't legally available.

Please join us as we stand up for the health of all of Hawaii's citizens.

Tina Dean
President,
Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association

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