Mayor should not try to influence police

Auwe: Are we seeing the first sightings of the real mayor? How nice would that be if we could all call the police chief after receiving a traffic ticket and "talk policy and procedure" ("Mayor irked by questions after wife's speeding ticket," May 28). I am certain this is the only thing discussed.

This is the guy you chose, Oahu.

Terrible, noisy beast has invaded Waikiki

The folks on Maui and the Big Island should feel fortunate that they only have to contend with the coqui frog, and not the pernicious noise maker that has invaded Waikiki. This predator of serenity attaches itself to commercial motor vehicles. Unlike the coqui, this monster spews its noise venom both day and night, and is most prevalent during daylight hours. Many times this harasser of the auditory nerve will sound off for 10 or 15 minutes straight, other times alternating on and off in short intervals. At times, 10 or 15 of these creatures can be heard at once. The resulting cacophony stretches human nerves to the breaking point.

This insidious noise maker has an affinity for tour busses, back hoes, delivery vehicles and cement trucks. It has been a major contributor to the destruction of once-peaceful Waikiki. After several days of enduring this beast's penetrating call, the noise becomes an hallucination -- like a song you can't get out of your head.

Neighbor islanders have some chance of eradicating the coqui, but I'm afraid this Waikiki creature is here to stay. The government has no interest in destroying it, and, in fact, is responsible for its proliferation, making it a crime to operate a vehicle without one attached. This destroyer of peace and quiet is the nasty, noisy backup beeper!

Kids need seat-belt laws to be enforced

In response to Pete Barrett's May 25 letter opposing the enforcement of seat-belt laws, I want to say what I like best about "Click It or Ticket" is that it checks minor-age persons to be buckled up even if they are sitting in the rear seats. You can no longer put a small child on your lap or let them sit on the floor of a station wagon, as it was permitted in the old days. My heart cries out for those innocent little ones not restrained properly.

And I hope a law will pass requiring booster seats for children too large for infant car seats but not big enough to be restrained snugly in an adult seat belt (approximately 4 to 8 years old).

I request the media emphasize this portion of the information in the seat-belt law, for I have seen too many cases of youngsters not being buckled up just because they are not in the front seat.

Let us appreciate our troops every day

Memorial Day weekend for many means a three-day weekend, picnics, camping or catching up on lost sleep from that hectic week. But we must not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the privilege of living in this great nation and for the freedoms we enjoy. The Bible says in John 15:13 that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

We have often heard how those who were lost in Vietnam and more recently in Iraq have died and are dying in vain. But these conflicts at the very least send a message that countries cannot be invaded or attacked unopposed. In the movie "Saving Private Ryan," young Mr. Ryan was compelled to become the best person possible. He felt he owed at least that much to those who died while saving him. In essence we are all "Private Ryans," as our troops are fighting as we speak to keep us living in freedom. When we as a nation no longer appreciate that freedom and fail to achieve "all that we can be," then and only then will the sacrifices of life be in vain.

Memorial Day is a feeling of gratitude and remembrance to be felt throughout the year. God bless the members and families of our armed forces as we continue to pray for and support your efforts.

How to write us The Star-Bulletin welcomes letters that are crisp and to the point (150 to 200 words). The Star-Bulletin reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length. Please direct comments to the issues; personal attacks will not be published. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number. Letter form: Online form, click here E-mail: letters@starbulletin.com Fax: (808) 529-4750 Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813