Brainstorm! Challenge

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Mayor's budget leaves out key elements

The mayor has sent his budget to the City Council and once again it falls short (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 28). The mayor is crowing that he will leave the city in good financial shape while at the same time saying the upcoming pay raises for city workers in HGEA are unfunded.

We went through this last year with unfunded raises for our police department which resulted in an increase in automobile weight taxes on Christmas Eve. Although we don't know what the magnitude of the upcoming raises will be, it would be prudent to start planning for it now.

The City Council shouldn't let itself be painted into a corner as it did last year which resulted in the great Christmas Eve raid on our wallets.

Bill Nelson
Haleiwa

DOT, drivers' habits doomed van cams

As a once-outspoken opponent of the now-gone van cam program, I am also dismayed at the reckless behavior of some drivers on Oahu's highways. However, in light of the the revenue-sharing arrangement with the corporate operators, the van cams tended to surveil areas where typical speeds tended to exceed posted speeds, thereby generating maximum income.

This, combined with the Department of Transportation's failure to appropriately adjust speed limits where needed, the poor passing-lane and traffic-signaling etiquette of many local drivers along with DOT's failure to use recommended pre- and post-introduction public relations efforts produced predictable results.

Van cams and red-light photo surveillance can work wonders, but only if geared to apprehend those drivers whose behavior is genuinely dangerous. Any such program must not "apprehend" any of the many drivers who drive responsible speeds on the many Oahu roads whose speed limits are set without attention to how 85 percent of motorists will actually drive on those roads. DOT's failure to design such a comprehensive program is why van cams failed and is why we are where we are today.

Mike Rethman
Kaneohe

Hawaii has endured too many Kawamotos

Sen. Cal Kawamoto must be removed from office ("Senator diverts election funds," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 22). This state needs someone who works for the people, not for himself and his cronies. We have had enough of the Kawamoto-type thinking! Remember this guy in November.

Bill Haig
Honolulu

'Sheltered' waters should be saved

Regarding the Waikiki Sand Replenishment Project:

Yes, to sand replenishment.

No, to the replacement of existing crib walls.

Two areas could use sand replenishment:

>> Kuhio Beach (Diamond Head Basin, located next to the Kapahulu storm drain)

>> Ewa Basin (ewa of the Diamond Head Basin)

Both of these areas could use more sand, while allowing for an expanded beach.

The sheltered swimming in both of these areas is enjoyed by families, elders, children and non-swimmers, and must be maintained for the continued safety of the users.

Present crib walls (breakwater walls), if removed, will increase wave and tidal surge, and destroy the safety of the swimmers and shoreline users. Erosion of sand will start again, as proven in the past.

This area has found a balance during the past 40 years. No more experiments should be tried, but sand replenishment is a "yes."

George Downing
Kaimuki

Aerial hunting could cost taxpayers plenty

Aerial gunning is a dangerous and expensive method of animal population control and should not be permitted in Hawaii ("Hunting bill is opposed by animal rights coalition," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 9). It costs hundreds of dollars per hour and taxpayers fund these flights, some of which end in disaster.

Since 1989, Wildlife Services' aerial gunning flights crashed numerous times and caused many fatalities and injuries.

If this dire legislation is passed, our state will be exposed to liability resulting from the injury or death of non-target human or animal victims. When accidents occur, taxpayers and others foot the bill for death benefits or workers compensation, crash investigations, etc.

Additionally, the sight and/or sound of aircraft disturb animals trying to forage and cause problems for a wide range of species. Aerial gunning is also unacceptably inhumane. Animals who are shot from aircraft often languish in excruciating pain for days before finally dying of their injuries. To stop this bill from advancing, please contact Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Lorraine Inouye. Phone 808-586-7335; fax 808-586-7339, email seninouye@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Laurelee Blanchard
Haiku, Hawaii

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Does Honolulu need a city museum, and what should be in it? Does history matter? If so, whose history? Bishop Museum is one of the leading cultural museums in the United States, but it is not a history center. Honolulu seems to be the only state capital city without a municipal museum. Does Honolulu need a city museum? What should be in it? Where should it be? Should such a museum be a collection of artifacts or a learning center? Would such a museum be geared for Hawaii education or for entertaining tourists? Send your ideas by March 17 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750