Oahu's roads taken over by lousy drivers

I recently returned home from a three-week stay on Oahu. I have made more than 20 trips since 1978. Each time I visit I notice that not only is the traffic worse, but so are people's driving habits.

There are more drivers running red lights and stop signs. On surface and residential streets, Oahu drivers do not stay in their lanes. They have forgotten that the manufacturer installs turn signals on the vehicle; otherwise, the other drivers cannot anticipate whether you plan to make a turn or change lanes.

Finally, what has declined quite considerably over the years is the courtesy Oahu drivers use to extend.

Michael Chiaramonte
Santa Ana, Calif.

Phone-using drivers should give warnings

The danger of talking on cell phones while driving is not limited to the driver; it also affects those in the vicinity of someone whose attention to driving is seriously compromised.

The suggestion that hand-held phones be outlawed (but not hands-free phones) does nothing for the distraction problem, and removes the one thing that might help other drivers avoid the cell-phone user: the visual evidence that the driver is using a phone.

Here's a suggestion that would serve the interests of both the tele-talkers and their endangered neighbors on the highway:

Require automobiles to install a light on the top of the car that will activate whenever its sensor is triggered by a cell-phone transmission from within the car. The driver would be able to continue to use the phone, and nearby drivers would be warned that they are in the vicinity of a potentially dangerous driver.

Hmmm. Maybe it could be modified also to deal with drunken drivers (the light is activated by a breathalyzer), drivers without insurance (activated remotely by the insurance company), licenseless drivers (requires deactivation by a magnetic strip on the driver's license), teenage drivers ... Oh, the possibilities!

John M. Flanigan
Kaneohe

Cooperation can make Hawaii a better place

I am one of the many Democrats who supported and worked for Linda Lingle's election as governor of Hawaii because we believe she was the best possible choice. I hope that every Hawaii resident, regardless of ideology or party affiliation, will support her in trying to bring about the change she has promised. The election is over, she is now the governor and we're all in this together.

I hope that everyone also will watch more closely the goings-on in our government so that those in Lingle's administration don't slip into the pitfalls that brought about the demise of the Democratic stranglehold on business, government and almost every aspect of life in Hawaii -- a change that also started out 40 years ago to be such a good thing.

We should all be watchdogs. If you see something bad in our state government, let the new governor know about it right away. Don't wait until it grows into a big problem, as we've seen happen in recent years.

If you have an idea that can improve our lot, pass it on to the governor. Remember, it's our government. While many do not believe it can work, I think that, working together, we can once again create a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Don't concern yourselves overly much about whether or not our governor supports the actions, decisions and rhetoric of our Republican president. Our governor doesn't work for George Bush; she works for us.

Things can be better and, if we are all vigilant and involved, they will be.

Keith Haugen

Show compassion, whatever your faith

As the holiday season surrounds us here on Oahu (the gathering place), I wanted to share a few words of local naauoa (wisdom) that I learned from my Hawaiian studies kumu (teacher), Mr. John Lake. As our community gets more and more crowded and likewise our frustrations mount, remember to hold onto the feeling of ahonui (patience). It is the kuleana (responsibility) of each of us to show hoihi (respect) and laulima (cooperation) to keep the maluhi (peace) of the season with our diverse neighbors. As we feel our anger surge, grasp tightly to your hoomakeaka (humor) and smile often. Our aloha (kindness) may be the only manaoio (faith) that this too shall pass, and that a new year will soon arrive a new year that holds the kupaa (promise) of kupono (honesty).

It is through our lokomaikai (compassion) toward those we hate that we will find the haahaa (humility) of this holiday season.

Whether you are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or any other religion, please take a moment to reflect on how you can makaku (create) a sense of kuokoa (equality) here in the islands today. The Hawaiians have been doing it for centuries; let's all try to learn from them and pass it forward.

Karyn Herrmann
Hawaii Kai

Alabama fans enjoyed Warriors game, aloha

The University of Alabama players were impressed by the efforts and conditioning of the University of Hawaii players, and felt the Warriors played hard and left it on the field ("Tide happy to win their 'bowl,'" Star-Bulletin, Dec. 1). All of their comments were favorable concerning the players and fans. The team is already looking forward to next year's trip back to Oahu.

The Alabama fans were very impressed with the reception displayed by the UH fans as hosts, with many being invited to join their tailgating activities.

The game received good press coverage. I especially enjoyed the Star-Bulletin feature about Peter Kim ("From the Rainbows to the Tide," Nov. 29). I remember him well, but didn't know what happened to him. Thank you for sharing his story.

Aloha to all the fans in Hawaii.

Clay Whidby
President
University of Alabama
Pensacola Alumni Chapter
Pensacola, Florida

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