Waikiki has been greatly improved

I have been coming to Hawaii for 40 years and was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful improvements made to Kuhio Avenue and the Ala Wai. My hat's off to the city for putting the energy and money into this project. It was big improvement. Pedestrians are using the sidewalks more and businesses are following suit and making improvements to their storefronts as well. Thanks from all of us!

What else did senators trade for Akaka bill?

The U.S. Senate recently voted (51 to 49) to approve oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Only three Democrats voted to allow drilling. Two of the defecting Democrats who cast the deciding votes were Hawaii's senators.

The timing of this vote, which immediately follows the passage of the Akaka bill out of committee, and the approval by Senators Inouye and Akaka is no coincidence. It should be clear to everyone in Hawaii that our senators sold out the environment to oil interests as a political quid pro quo.

The only question is what other promises did Inouye and Akaka have to make to buy Republican support for the Akaka bill? Did they promise to assist in the approval of conservative judicial nominees or the erosion of abortion rights?

Is the passage of the Akaka bill, which will segregate Hawaii and which has strong opposition even among native Hawaiians, worth the expenditure of all of our Hawaii congressional delegation's political capital? I would prefer that our senators (and congressmen) focus their efforts on broader issues, such as education and health care, which would help all of Hawaii's citizens.

Insured drivers should get money from fines

When I had to renew my automobile insurance I called my insurer. It was noted that I didn't have any uninsured motorist protection (not a requirement.) So, if someone is operating a motor vehicle that collides with mine, and lacks insurance, I will not be paid for my loss. Sounds simple. But when you examine it, you realize that with it you are paying for another person's illegal actions. Because such action, driving without insurance, is a violation of a requirement. And there are individuals who drive without any insurance.

Someone willingly breaks the law and I am to pay for the consequences of their actions? He shouldn't be driving. My solution -- when anyone is found guilty of operating a motor vehicle without the required insurance and is fined, that penalty should be divided among those who pay for uninsured motorist protection. At present the entire amount goes to the state and/or counties. While the government does not suffer any loss by an individual's lack of insurance, those motorists who are properly covered do -- they pay to have uninsured motorist protection.

Judge in Schiavo case has too much power

If you have one ounce of compassion or humanity in you, then you should be outraged at the starvation of Terri Schiavo. The day that an appointed state judge can turn up his nose at Congress, the president and the governor and sentence an innocent, disabled American to death is the day that every citizen of this country should make sure they watch their backs.

Mothers, this case should scare you the most. Your children are at the mercy of state-appointed judges. They have no reason to listen to you. You don't put them on the bench.

Friends and family of the disabled should especially fear for the lives of their unique loved ones. The judgment by Florida Judge George Greer will affect similar decisions made in our beautiful state, and do not for one moment think it won't.

We better all hope that Schiavo is saved or the very foundation of this nation could prove to be nothing more than a lie.

Now, I am not a religious person and those who know me will drop their jaws when they read this statement: God help us all.

Rice, Konishiki share universal greeting

Don't you love it? The Associated Press photo in the March 19 Star-Bulletin of two well-known individuals in Japan, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former sumo wrestler extraordinaire Salevaa Atisanoe (Konishiki), in a friendly, universal (think global) embrace of greeting is heartfelt! May love, peace and liberty prevail throughout America and beyond.