Blow Hole victim to blame for own death

With all due respect (and heartfelt sympathy) to the family of the boy who lost his life while straddling the Blow Hole, I must comment on the family's decision to sue -- in essence place blame or responsibility on -- the city and state for his death.

One should educate oneself before venturing into unfamiliar territory. If in doubt, err on the side of caution or take responsibility for the outcome.

One should never underestimate the power of the ocean. If one does so, then one should be prepared to pay the consequences, even if that price is the loss of one's life.

Perhaps we should place a pamphlet on every arriving plane that includes warnings about the dangers of swimming in waters unknown or engaging in behavior that places one at risk. Perhaps we should require signatures acknowledging that the information was read and understood. Perhaps we should require that our visitors sign a waiver stating that they enter certain areas at their own risk.

I don't know. What I do know is that we cannot destroy the beauty of our islands by placing signs at every turn to protect our state from lawsuits just because some of our visitors fail to exercise common sense.

Lisa Wiley

City, state shouldn't be liable for boy's death

It is ridiculous that the family of the late Daniel Dick sue the city and the state of Hawaii. Why are we responsible for the actions of an 18-year-old boy who obviously disregarded the warnings of others and didn't have any common sense?

How many lawsuits have been filed against the city and state under similar circumstances? How many were settled? How much have we paid as taxpayers during the past 25 years?

Kent Sato

Case blasts Lingle, but what is his plan?

Regarding Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed Case's attack on Republican candidate Linda Lingle ("Lingle accused of dodging debate," Star-Bulletin, Aug. 17): Case said Lingle should have been debating him and other Democratic candidates at a couple of recent forums.

Doesn't he realize that Lingle is not his opponent in the Democratic primary? She is in the Republican primary; Case's opponents right now are Mazie Hirono and Andy Anderson.

If Ed Case believes he has already won his primary, this lack of respect for his opponents is a little arrogant. He's been so busy attacking Linda Lingle's plan for "A New Beginning for Hawaii," but what took him so long to announce his own plan?

Steve Pfister
Wailuku

Graph should have included bikers' ages

I agree with Rob Perez's Aug. 4 column, "Helmetless bikers ought to be illegal." However, the graph, based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, should have shown the types of motorcycles and ages of the riders.

I would bet that the motorcyclists involved in traffic deaths are under 25 years old and riding "rice rockets." Riders of Harley-Davidsons are usually older, more experienced and safer riders. I would like to see a breakdown of ages and types of motorcycles.

Mike Wilcox

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