Brainstorm! Challenge

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Think before bringing traffic cameras back

Regarding the push by the Legislature to resurrect traffic cameras (Star-Bulletin, March 23): The most notorious events that led to this revival happened at night. Late night. Pitch black night.

How much does the camera cost that can make out license plate numbers in darkness while ignoring the two headlights on either side, and without using a blinding flash? Who is the vendor, NASA?

Where are these cameras to be located? In the "easy pickings" zones where their predecessors lurked and where there have been no problems caused by speed in recent memory, or in areas where there have been actual problems?

I'm not convinced this issue has been sufficiently thought through.

Larry Solomon
Kaneohe

Attack on Thielen proves her point

The attacks on Laura Thielen by fellow members of the Board of Education (Star-Bulletin, March 19) provide further proof of the need for locally elected school boards. The current BOE is so afraid of losing power that members will resort to character assassination to preserve the status quo.

Board members are elected, but most voters have no clue who the candidates are since the state BOE is so far removed from the people.

Thielen was the top vote-getter in her race with 41 percent, which in BOE elections is a landslide. Her detractors, Breene Harimoto, Shannon Ajifu, Mary Cochran and Karen Knudsen, can claim no mandate. In the Oahu at-large race, "Blank Votes" received more votes (32 percent) than Knudsen (16 percent) and Ajifu (14 percent) combined! But since "Blank Votes" cannot serve on the board, Knudsen and Ajifu won.

Harimoto accused Thielen of violating the BOE's code of conduct by speaking out for reform. If this is true, then the problem is with the code, not Thielen. Silencing board members who speak out for reform violates the spirit of a democratic institution. Harimoto should apologize to Thielen.

Our out-of-touch and intolerant BOE should be broken up and moved closer to the people it serves.

Gary Paul Jr.
Kihei, Maui

Maui hospital cuts will hurt everyone

As a nurse, I am deeply concerned about the decrease in funding for Maui Memorial Medical Center, the only hospital in Maui County. The state House of Representatives passed HB 1800 on March 11 with an $11.2 million cut from the $31.2 million proposed by Governor Lingle.

Without adequate funding, essential health care services will be lost. The funding loss also will cause staff reductions, leaving limited staff available to provide health care.

Maui Memorial Medical Center provides care to everyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. Several million dollars in charitable care is given every year to the needy in our community. What will happen when these essential services are no longer available? All Maui County residents and visitors will be affected.

Maui Memorial Medical Center's mission is to provide quality health care for our residents and visitors. We cannot do it without adequate funding. I urge all concerned citizens to speak out and let our legislators know that we care about health care. Our community needs full funding of HB 1800. Lives depend upon it!

Anne Trygstad, R.N., B.S.N.
Maui Memorial Medical Center

Rail would be much faster way to commute

With 75 percent of the jobs located in the area between Middle Street and Kaimuki and 75 percent of the people living outside that area, how many people believe that government survey that said most Oahu drivers take only 24 minutes to get to and from work? How long does it take you?

A rail ride from Kapolei to town traveling 80 mph will take you a stress-free 34 minutes. See the future rail system at the strip in Las Vegas.

Go rail, Hawaii!

Richard Mori
Pearl City

Goo, Wahine never got due recognition

It is sad that Vince Goo has decided to retire from coaching University of Hawaii Wahine basketball, and it's sad for Wahine basketball. Yet it's good that he is leaving. Coach Goo and the Wahine never got the recognition and support from the UH administration, community and news media.

On the same night that the UH men's team lost at home and the Wahine won on the road, the men got full coverage on the front page of the sports section. The women were on page 4 or 5. Even national results got front-page coverage that day. When the Wahine and men both lose, the men always get better coverage and larger, color photos. On Goo's final night at home, only about 1,900 fans were in attendance. Only for his final game, at Boise State, did the newspaper finally show the Wahine in a large photo.

Now the media shower all kinds of praise on Goo and his records. Maybe it's time to retire Wahine basketball and not make these hard-working, dedicated women be embarrassed by playing to sparse crowds.

Paul Fong
Honolulu

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Hawaii is popularly known as "The Aloha State." What might be a better slogan? To get started, think about what you might see around the islands -- rainbows, waves, sand, traffic jams, homeless orangutans ... Send your ideas by April 21 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or by mail: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Or by fax: Brainstorm! c/o Nancy Christenson 529-4750