We already have good Democratic candidates

I'm developing a bit of personal irritation as the media appear to continue the hype of "Who will run for governor as a Democrat?" and "The Democrats need another candidate." Democrats already have three extremely qualified, personable and able candidates. These candidates appeared at the Democratic State Convention, asked for our support and committed to support each other after the primaries. They all have been meeting with grassroots groups, explaining their plans and visions, and why we should vote for them.

We have three Democratic candidates who are willing to answer the questions, and who can remind us of the difference between conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats.

So I make this plea: Stop the shrub-beating to scare up new game, and start focusing on the declared candidates who have told us why we should vote for them.

Lance Bateman

Waahila line backers use tired scare tactics

Here we go again -- the same old recycled scare tactics of what the dire consequences will be if the 138kV power line is not put up on Waahila Ridge (Letters, Star-Bulletin, June 17). No traffic lights, no e-mail, disrupted cell-phone use, tourists bailing out of dark Waikiki hotels.

There is a feasible alternative route between the Palolo and Date Street substations that runs underground, thus sparing Waahila, but we really don't need to consider this because a transmission line between those substations is unnecessary. This is one of the conclusions of a public hearing last November at which HECO, among others, testified. The recommendation of the hearings officer, based on the testimony, was that the Waahila permit be denied for a number of reasons, including more reliable substation equipment, a backup line already in place, and falling electricity demand.

As soon as the Land Board denies the Waahila permit we can get this behind us. Meanwhile, sleep at ease, East Honolulu, your electricity will be there when you wake up.

Jim Harwood
Manoa Neighborhood Board
Chairman, Committee on Alternative Energy

We need a law against riding in truck beds

On May 28, my letter concerning seatbelts for everyone was published in the Star-Bulletin. I wrote that our lawmakers should be held accountable for any deaths caused by riding in the beds of pick-up trucks.

Last week, less than 30 days after my letter appeared, two people were killed as they were thrown from the pick-up beds in separate accidents. A 16-year-old girl from Kauai and a 32-year-old man from Maui suffered fatal head injuries. How sad.

If this doesn't send a message to our lawmakers, maybe it's time to replace them. It's their responsibility to protect all riders in all vehicles, not just cars.

Maybe the police should push for a ban on riding in the backs of trucks. That would surely save lives, like seat belts do.

Eugene Simbra
Pearl City

Watch out for new disabled-parking rules

Perhaps the reason the new rules for marking handicapped parking spots have not received wide publicity is that some agency hopes to have a windfall gain in monies by keeping the implementation of these new rules a secret.

I agree with your editorial ("Disabled-parking law must be enforced," Star-Bulletin, June 20). Get the word out and woe be to the business that is not complying by Labor Day. Perhaps the state should be required to mail a notice to every person who has a business license, or a least every business that filed a tax return.

Most other laws that have far-reaching effects on our society have a phase-in period, but for some reason this one did not.

Bill Nelson
Haleiwa

Do whatever it takes to keep beach movies

Many European beach resorts have been showing movies on the beach for 20 years. I always wondered why Hawaii did not do the same.

As a Hawaii-born mainlander, I often visit Hawaii with my family (four to six times a year). During our last two trips, we loved the weekend Sunset on the Beach movie programs.

I just flew my daughter and seven of her friends to Hawaii and they are all looking forward to seeing Tom Hanks in "Big" this weekend. I have told many of my mainland friends that Sunset on the Beach is a reason to take their families to Waikiki.

I have not read anything about Sunset of the Beach in the travel sections of the two papers I subscribe to. Is someone asleep at the wheel of your tourism promotion department?

It would be a terrible mistake to cancel or curtail the Sunset on the Beach program.

Drake Grega
Lafayette, Calif.

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