Drivers' punishment should equal crime

Anyone caught speeding who hurts innocent bystanders should be charged with vehicular maiming and punished for the same amount of time it takes the victim or victims to completely recover.

Donn Terada
Honolulu

Why did friends buy drinks for minors?

The recent horrible crash on Ala Moana Boulevard that killed two young men now has fingers pointing at who's responsible and who's to blame.

Autopsies show their blood-alcohol levels were at 0.101 and 0.218 after the crash, which is way beyond the legally drunk level of 0.08. The families, on TV, want to cast blame on the nightclub that allows minors to attend, but the club safeguards against underage drinking with a two-step process: stamping your hand and requiring wrist bands. However, these two young men had "friends" buy the drinks for them. Some friends.

If one had a .2 blood-alcohol level, surely his friends knew he was drunk. He probably couldn't walk, much less drive.

Don't these kids watch the commercials, "Friends don't let friends drive drunk"?

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the two young men, but their friends will have to live with their participation in their execution.

Paul D'Argent
Kihei, Maui

A state patrol would catch more speeders

When is enough, enough? Recent deaths on our highways have further bolstered the need for tougher traffic laws and better enforcement of the laws.

It is time for the development of a state highway patrol to monitor and enforce traffic laws on our freeways. The van cameras were effective at reducing the number of speeders. Wouldn't our own highway patrol do the same or better?

The Honolulu Police Department -- being understaffed, underpaid and overworked -- cannot always be in the right place at the right time to catch speeders in the act. Speeders know this. The risk of being caught is minimal, making roads unsafe to law-abiding residents.

We currently have a state-operated law enforcement agency on payroll -- the state's sheriff's department. Aside from the tasks of protecting our airports and courts, couldn't they hire additional officers to protect the lives of the innocent people on the roadways?

Haven't we seen enough of grieving family members and roadside memorials? Of mothers and fathers pleading with others just to slow down? That could be any one of our family members or us. When is enough, enough?

Duane Smith
Aiea

College students need lower bus fares

Bus fares have increased dramatically, raising the student fare to $1 and the adult fare to $2. As a University of Hawaii student who rides the bus every day, I find that this is becoming a big financial burden because college students are required to pay the adult fare regardless of their age. I know that many other students are facing the same problem because, according to a recent article in the UH school newspaper, the number of students who ride the bus has dropped due to the high cost.

One possible solution is that the City Council and Oahu Transit Services come up with a special college fare or issue a discounted monthly pass to college students who show valid identification. This would benefit the students as well as the bus company because it would increase the number of students who ride the bus.

Dong-Hyun Kim
Honolulu

Expanding military will not help Hawaii

Steven Tayama's letter expresses the feelings of many of us ("Brigade would make Hawaii bigger target," Star-Bulletin, Oct. 13). His points are well taken. What are our complacent legislators going to do about bringing the Stryker brigade here? So far they have been ignoring the situation and kowtowing to the military, thinking money will make it all right.

When you evaluate the good and bad effects of the military, there are more reasons not to have it expand here in Hawaii.

David "Tane" M.K. Inciong II
Pearl City

Property taxes based on discrimination

City & County of Honolulu property tax inequities are becoming more pronounced when tax increases are proposed for increased costs. Does everyone pay? Don't bet on it.

Hawaiian homestead lessees pay a maximum of $100 annually. Does the community need more services? Apparently it does -- taxes are going to be raised to cover increased wages and benefits. How about leveling the playing field? What about racial discrimination? Any lawyers out there interested?

Bud Ebel
Makaha