Allow offenders to maintain schools

Let's look outside the box. We have two problems: over-crowded prisons and under-maintained schools. As an alternative to incarceration for DUI and small kine drug possession offenses, let's send violators back to school; in by 7 p.m. Friday, up at 6 a.m. Saturday, 10 hours of maintenance work, out at 6 a.m. Sunday.

Paul M. Gundlach
Honolulu

Lying to enter school would hurt, too

I'm confused about the suit filed on behalf of Brayden Mohica-Cummings because he will not be admitted to Kamehameha Schools ("Student sues Kamehameha," Aug. 19, Star-Bulletin).

I'm an old hapa-haole Filipino originally from Kahuku.

I brag about Kamehameha Schools all the time. It is a wonderful way to maintain the culture of a wonderful people. I find nothing in error about Kamehameha's enrollment requirements.

The suit claims Mohica-Cummings will suffer irreparable injury, and I agree. What child wouldn't suffer injury to his sense of self-esteem when he learns his parent apparently lied on an application form trying to obtain something not rightfully his?

Fred Van Winkle
Kinston, N.C.

Segway safe for riders and pedestrians

After seeing Corky's cartoon (Star-Bulletin, Aug. 14) and a letter to the editor ("Rescind law allowing Segways on sidewalks," Aug. 17), it occurred to me there is a lot of misinformation regarding the safety of Segways.

It's not by chance that our state Legislature, and those of many other cities and states, have placed Segways in the same category as motorized wheelchairs and allowed them to operate on sidewalks. In each jurisdiction across the country, legislators are allowed to test Segways and are instructed on the vehicle's safety features. Only then do they vote on the Segway's right to operate.

The truth is, Segways are safe machines. They stop instantly if the handlebar is pulled back slightly or if the rider just stands up straight. If, for example, a pedestrian were to walk suddenly in front of a moving Segway, he or she need only raise their hand up against the Segway handlebar and it will stop.

After nearly two weeks of rental operations in Waikiki by Segway Experience of Honolulu, there have been no Segway accidents. That's partly because of the safety features of Segways, but also because all new riders go through a 30-minute safety course, where they learn how to operate a Segway properly. Only then are they allowed to venture out on a Segway that is keyed to operate at only 4.5 mph, a speed not much above walking speed.

Jim Boersema
Publicist, Segway Experience of Honolulu

Traditional marriage junked on TV shows

Could all who are so dedicated to "saving" traditional marriage please turn your attention to such reality TV shows as "Who Wants to Marry My Dad" and others where people compete to wed a stranger to win money and prizes? I find these programs immoral and disgusting, especially for children to watch.

Why are such commercial mockeries of marriage ignored while the Mike Gabbards and other misguided citizens work so hard to deny civil equality to all committed, adult relationships?

A contestant on one of those shows can marry and become eligible for spousal benefits immediately. My neighbors, who have been life partners for 20 years, must pay a premium for health care merely because they are of the same gender. Where's the fairness in that?

April Weiss
Honolulu

Lingle meeting was orchestrated GOP rally

I attended a "Linda Lingle Show" recently at Farrington High School. It was billed as a community meeting, but it was really a GOP rally and Lingle fan club meeting.

Lingle was all smiles as she danced through the question-and-answer period. Her staffers had reviewed each question beforehand to ensure there were no embarrassing ones. All through her performance, Lingle made sure she and her Republicans were looking good and the Democrats bad and do-nothings.

The show was all at taxpayers' expense and soon the "Big Duke Show," featuring the lieutenant governor, will be coming to your neighborhood, too.

David Bohn
Honolulu