Isle lawmaker pushing
Pledge in class

Remember when everyone in homeroom said the Pledge of Allegiance to start the school day? Rep. William Stonebraker (R, Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley) wants a state law to give all students a chance to say the pledge at school.

Stonebraker introduced HB 2416, which would designate a set time for students to recite the pledge.

"I hope to promote a new generation of strong patriots who feel a fierce loyalty to the United States and all that we stand for," he said.

The freshman Republican also introduced a bill, HB 2415, that would give students the "discretion of choosing to take a moment of their own time to silently reflect upon the lives that were lost in the terrorist attack" on Sept. 11.

"The purpose of these bills is to instill in students the value of sacrifice and patriotism," he said.

Pedestrian bill in play

People have a right to take a walk without the danger of being run over, says Rep. Terry Nui Yoshinaga, who is among those sponsoring HB 2084 to give pedestrians their own "bill of rights."

Saying that she enjoys walking in her own Moiliili neighborhood, Yoshinaga wants to require that drivers yield to pedestrians in intersections and crosswalks and also to prohibit pedestrians from jaywalking when a crosswalk or intersection is close by.

Noting that an average of two pedestrians have died each month and an average of two pedestrians have been injured in Hawaii each day for the past 14 years, she said Hawaii has to step up enforcement of traffic safety laws.

"Pedestrians who use the crosswalks should be protected and have enforceable rights," said Yoshinaga, (D, McCully-Pawaa).

Hawaii gets A- on guns

The Brady Campaign, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, has given Hawaii a grade of A- on laws protecting children from guns.

In the 2001 grades, four other states received A's, five received B's, 11 got C's and 22 states got D's. Seven states received F's.

Each state was rated based on the following seven types of legislation, as well as for the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of that legislation:

>> Juvenile possession of guns without parental permission.

>> Sale or transfer of guns to juveniles without parental permission.

>> Safe storage and gun owner accountability to keep guns stored away from children.

>> Childproof guns and gun design safety; restriction on Saturday night special "junk guns."

>> Secondary "private" gun sale background checks, such as at gun shows.

>> Individuals carrying concealed weapons.

>> Local government authority to regulate guns more strictly than state laws.

Some states were awarded "extra credit" or demerits on other issues, ranging from special legal immunity protection extended to the gun industry to waiting periods and licensing requirements.

The Brady Campaign began grading state gun laws five years ago.

"The Brady Campaign and the Brady Center believe that a safer America can be achieved without banning all guns," according to their mission statement.

For more information, check the Web site www.bradycampaign.org.

Makiki residents meet

A community meeting for Makiki residents will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Makiki District Park's Agee Hall.

Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Makiki-Tantalus) will discuss current legislation and issues pertinent to his district, and will be available to meet with individual constituents.

For more information, contact Ron Paik at 526-9425.

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