BRT could improve life in Leeward Oahu

Last Wednesday, my usual 45-minute commute by car to downtown Honolulu took two hours-plus. I sense our future may include more such days. I hope that policy makers can remain focused on transportation alternatives that can serve us on the Leeward Coast and improve travel means and times for everyone on Oahu.

One such promising proposal is the Bus Rapid Transit. Just think, I could take BRT and shave off up to 20 minutes from my commute, and be able to read the newspaper or take a nap and leave the driving to someone else.

Maybe it's time for us to focus on how we use our transportation dollars and resources.

Tom Enomoto

Place a return policy on cigarette butts

Smoking, like sex, should be done in the privacy of your own home. It should not be imposed on others.

The litter in Hawaii from cigarettes is a disgrace. Just look at the butts in our parks, beaches, roads and streets. Fines do not work because police officers have more important things to do.

A solution might be a return policy. A first pack or carton purchase will have a 25 percent higher price on them. To get a second pack or carton, the cigarette butts would have to be returned or the buyer would pay the higher first-purchase price.

This method could also extend to anything that may end up as litter, such as bottles, paper cups or cans.

Alvin Wong

Drinking at any level impairs driving

The fact that a Schofield soldier recently arrested for speeding, possible racing and possible drinking and driving evidently did not have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above does not mean that he or anyone else who drinks and drives is not impaired.

A American Medical Association study shows that most drivers are impaired in some way before reaching the .08 level. Impairment of driving skills begins with the first drink, with judgment being the first behavior to be affected.

At .08, the illegal level in Hawaii, virtually every driver's skills are significantly compromised. The state has set .08 as the minimum point at which it agrees to automatically find a person legally impaired. It is also the point at which the driver's license can be revoked at the time of arrest. This does not mean that a person with a .06 or .07 or lower level is not impaired. It only means that his or her license cannot be administratively revoked.

The courts can still rule that there was alcohol impairment and convict a driver of DUI, negligent homicide in the first degree, or even manslaughter when a person's blood alcohol is below the .08. level.

MADD can't say it enough: if you are going to drink, don't drive; if you are going to drive, don't drink. A driver with any alcohol in his system is less able to respond to the challenges of driving on our roads.

Carol McNamee
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Legislature must act to boost economy

Our Legislature must do one of two things: Either accept the governor's visionary plan to build a state of the art medical research and bio-technology center, along with extensive improvements to Hawaii's schools, or come up with a plan of its own that will provide a meaningful, significant boost to Hawaii's economy.

Building these important projects virtually guarantees our construction trades will remain working until 2004, helping Hawaii weather this economic storm. These contractors spend money in our local restaurants, clothing outlets and other businesses to keep money in their pockets. And after it's all over, Hawaii ends up with great facilities.

I think we all agree that the worst thing to do is nothing. Let's hope that this is not the outcome of the special session.

Sandy Forest

[QUOTABLES] "Voters craving basic change are backing independent government leaders who can and will break out of the political mold to say and do what people really think and want." Rep. Ed Case Democrat from Manoa, announcing his candidacy for governor Friday. "The fact that we have only one case here suggests that it's not a widespread problem, particularly given the extensive surveillance we've had in place." Bruce Anderson State health director, on the first confirmed case of dengue fever on Oahu. The mosquito-borne virus was detected in a Kaneohe resident.

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Special coins would commemorate victims

The students of Kihei (Maui) High School, being far away from the tragedies of Sept. 11, have a proposal with which we hope to share the burden of suffering and to remember the value of lives lost.

We propose to start a grassroots movement that would have the U.S. Treasury mint a coin (such as a penny, nickel or dime) using the steel from the New York Trade Center rubble. What better tribute to the men and women who worked at the World Trade Center, the symbol of the American economy, than to create a coin in remembrance of these people?

Through the this coin, we would make available a remembrance of the blood, sweat and tears of not only the victims of hatred but the heroes who sacrificed their lives in an attempt to save others. We believe it is also important to build a monument on the site as a testament to the American spirit and to show the world that the people of America stand together to protect humanity's right to security.

We will rise from the ashes of this great tragedy.

Students of Kihei High School

Tourism promotion trip was a good idea

Sending former Gov. George Ariyoshi, the sumo wrestlers and others to Japan to promote tourism to Hawaii -- particularly when their visit coincided with the bombing of Kabul --was a good idea.

According to John Marks of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, "The Japanese traveler does not like to enter uncharted waters when there is turbulence."

In time, the Japanese will be back. Meanwhile, the suggestion of the students of Kihei High School on Maui that our government mint steel coins from the rubble of the World Trade Center is an excellent one. The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium was funded by coins donated by the school children from all over the islands.

Governor Cayetano should consider trips to France and Korea. The combined number of French and Korean travelers to San Francisco during 1999 slightly exceeded the number of Japanese travelers. Lt Gov. Mazie Hirono should consider trips to Canada and Mexico.

Richard Thompson

In rough times, Hawaii needs strong leaders

As a small businessman, I am very concerned about the state of our economy and the kind of political leadership needed to help us during these difficult times.

We need bold, decisive leaders who have vision, business acumen and a sense of Hawaii's role in the Pacific-Asian arena. Now, more than ever, we are going to need assistance from Washington.

As a rule, state and cities short of local resources are going to increasingly look to Washington for support and monetary aid in the months to come.

Sen. Daniel Inouye's proven leadership needs to be complemented by local leaders like Evan Dobelle heading the University of Hawaii, Mufi Hannemann running our city, Linda Lingle as governor and Donna Tanouye in an important state post. They all know their way around Washington, and their combined experience and contacts would strengthen the work of our congressional delegation.

Hawaii would be very competitive in securing federal grants and funding, which would only be good news for a state thousands of miles removed from the nation's capital.

Dean J. Okimoto

Bombing Afghanistan shames America

A quick lesson in American values: when terrorists attack American cities and kill civilians, professional sports take a week off in mourning. When Americans bomb Afghan cities and kill civilians, sporting events pause only to sing "God Bless America."

Apparently, we value things in this order: American lives, sports, Afghan lives. I'm not sure where "keeping our economy going" fits in that list, but certainly not at the end.

This is disgusting. I am an American, and I am ashamed.

America has sunk to the level of those who are willing to sacrifice innocent people in other countries to create fear and to make a point. Not that we had to sink far -- we've done that before in Afghanistan, and also Kosovo, Sudan, Iraq and too many others to list.

Bombing Afghanistan will never put an end to terrorism. It will only engender more violence, more terrorism. Even if NATO forces kill or capture every known terrorist, the damage caused in the effort will anger so much of the world that we will never see peace in our lifetime. Kill one terrorist, and a hundred will vow revenge.

The way to create peace is to create justice. Justice includes bringing known and accused killers to trial. It also includes food, clothing, shelter and medical care for the millions of Afghans who have been made refugees by our war. It includes using America's influence to push for a fair settlement in Israel and Palestine.

It includes an end to American policies and businesses that are exploiting poor people in other countries. And it most certainly means an immediate end to killing innocents in a country that many Americans can't even find on a globe.

Will Best

Preserve freedom by thinking for yourself

It is certainly part of the job of news organizations to help individuals make sense out of events and occurrences that go on in the world that seem senseless. With each passing hour, the chaotic images of the terrorist disaster would give way to a coherent drama that would inform us of all the things that we needed to know and all the ways that we should think about them.

However, news organizations, and in particular television, have shaped the events to such an extent that it no longer occurs to many Americans that the messages and lessons they see on TV do not necessarily represent the truth but are, in fact, stories.

This realization came to me every time an acquaintance, a neighbor or even a stranger voiced their opinions about the war on terror. Opinions were no longer the genuine voice of an individual, but reruns and regurgitation of what they had recently heard on CNN.

Suddenly, we all spoke with one voice, one network. Suddenly, the line between bad and good was crystal clear: Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts were evil and there was no better man to be at the helm than George W. Bush.

Suddenly, to be patriotic meant that we should act normal, buy American and hug our children. Suddenly, no one could think on their own.

I am all for ridding the world of terrorism, including acts perpetrated by Western nations. However, I believe that threats to our freedoms come in many forms, one of which is the slow deterioration of genuine human thought.

So perhaps one of the most important things that Americans can do to preserve their freedoms is to simply turn off the television set, pick up a good history book and think about this human tragedy, at least for just a moment, in the solitude of their own minds.

Cindy Mackey

U.S. watchdogs missed the signals

Initially, I experienced grief and anger. Now, in the aftermath of Sept. 11, my attention turns to critical thinking and recognition of three factors that may encourage continuation of criminal terrorism of the type already committed.

First is the failure of the various U.S. intelligence agencies. Given the length of time during which these so-called experts have been predicting massive criminal terrorist acts on U.S. soil, the performance of these agencies seems a travesty.

Second is the extensive ignorance among our nation's leadership and general public regarding the history and culture of the Muslim world and our relations with it. Given the importance of the Muslim world to U.S. economic, military and geopolitical interests and the extent of U.S. involvement in the area, ideological myopia and conceit will continue to undermine whatever good intentions exist.

Third is the performance of our president. When not completely scripted by others, his words and imagery are a shocking, stumbling mouthful of the simplistic and small minded. We are not the only nation beset with such problems, but we are the most powerful.

I fear that until there is a critical reappraisal of our nation's performance no amount of flag waving, delivery of high-tech weapons and troops in the field, short-lived exhibitions of international cooperation, knee-jerk economic appropriations or gratuitous humanitarian assistance will resolve our terrorism troubles.

One can only hope that more thoughtful and critical voices will soon be heard on the streets, in the media and in the halls of Congress.

George M. Hudes

How did intelligence agencies fail?

We do not need smarter weapons. We need smarter people formulating U.S. policy and diplomacy.

Where is the Bush administration's and Congress' scrutiny of all our intelligence agencies as to what each does with the funds already provided? Why hasn't anyone been fired at the top levels of the FBI, CIA, National Security Council and various military intelligence units for their failure in knowing what is going on in the world?

Why should taxpayers support yet another bureaucracy, the office of Homeland Security? Anyone with common sense can see that we need to condense the current plethora of agencies into one office with a clear information-gathering mission composed of people with an above-average IQ, the educational background to perform their job, the ability to work with others and track record of integrity.

Laurel Kasaoka

Funeral honor guard instilled pride

I recently attended the funeral of a World War II veteran. He was given a full military burial with a flag-draped coffin, the playing of "Taps," and a 21-gun salute. When one of the deceased sons went up to thank the unit that performed, the spokesman for the group looked him straight in the eye and said, "We're proud to do it." That so touched the heart of the son, and the hearts of all who heard of that response! That made us feel proud of our servicemen, past and present. That made us feel proud to be Americans.

Jane S. Shiroma

Governor trying to restore economy

When Governor Cayetano announced that he was going to Japan to try and bring tourism back to Hawaii, many people thought that he was wasting taxpayer money.

I think there are certain things we need to do to try and improve things. Yes, it's costing the taxpayer, but our economy is at a low and it seems the governor just wants to improve that.

Businesses are begging for our money, but as we know our unemployment rate has increased dramatically. It has affected many households and they can't spare anything to support our economy anymore. So we have to find an alternative to try and bring up our economy again.

With the economy being down, Cayetano is trying to do his best to bring up the number of tourists.

Kimberly Komoto

Instead of buildings, help our people

Sept. 11 has brought about a spectacular outpouring of compassion and empathy for our fellow humans. Never before have we seen so many displays of caring and consideration.

So why is Governor Cayetano spending money on construction and structural repairs? We should be thinking of our neighbors and the economic devastation that has befallen them. Let us extend a hand to those in our state who are less fortunate, the people who have lost their jobs, who won't be able to pay their mortgages or put food on their tables.

We know that more danger will come now that President Bush has attacked the Taliban. Why don't we prepare for the physical and psychological ruin that may occur? Why don't we use the vacant facilities at Barber's Point to house the homeless?

Ariadne Caracol

St. Patrick's needs holiday donations

On Sept. 11, our nation was under attack, lives were lost, businesses were destroyed and people suffered while we watched and prayed for the victims. Our whole nation has felt the pain.

Here in Hawaii people lost their jobs and now the holidays are upon us. A lot of the people will find programs like ours that help the needy. There also will be 800 families cut off welfare at the same time.

We at St. Patrick's Outreach hope to raise $8,000 for Thanksgiving aid. Please make a donation, however small.

Pat Kaslausky
St. Patrick's Church

Terrorism is rooted in Israel-Arab disputes

I believe terrorism against America started when modern Israel became an independent nation in 1947.

The Arabs in surrounding countries rejected the scheme and promptly started war. But the Israelis gained crucial territories and terrorism against Israel became a reality.

When America sided with Israel, the Arab world supported the displaced Palestinians who began fighting for a homeland, and Americans and the British became targets of the terrorists.

Today, the United States should give the Palestinians aid for their cause. It is not appeasement. It is due to them.

The United States must tell Israel to stop building settlements on Arab lands. Established Israeli homes on Arab lands must be dismantled. Hopefully, Israel and Palestine will be united as one nation. It is only right because both claim the same land. The United States must learn to be neutral in matters affecting disputes between Israel and the Arab world.

Bernardo P. Benigno

Las Vegas has already reopened for business

I heard on television news that Las Vegas had returned to its full hotel bookings last weekend and was happily beginning to rehire its laid off workers. Hmm. Hmm. Hmmmm.

Gordon Chung

Please return stolen American flag

While visiting a friend in Laie, his American flag was stolen from his front yard.

This flag had been flown in more than half of the United States. It was on display to pay tribute to all of America, including the thief or thieves who stole it. Why would anyone want to steal such an item?

I will gladly pay a reward to anyone who can tell me who stole this symbol of freedom and solidarity. I also hope that someone's conscience will kick in and the flag will be returned.

Sam Streets

Mac nuts cause a security scare

I flew to a resort in Kefalonia, Greece, with eight boxes of macadamia nuts in my luggage. At the Paris airport, boarding Olympic Airways, we were stopped by French soldiers and individuals muttering "boom" and ordering us to take an alternate access to our flights.

Upon arriving in Greece, my luggage was not available for me to claim. After two days, it was delivered to our hotel. I saw the tag with writings that the luggage had been checked by French security.

Opening my bags, I saw one of the boxes of macadamia nuts was open, the cellophane slit. Then it dawned to on me that the nuts in my luggage were the culprit for the bomb scare in Paris.

The lesson is to hand-carry your mac nuts when flying.

Wayne Oyafuso

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