Aloha on the road will be further spread

I would like to sincerely give alohas to the Honolulu Police Department motorcycle policeman and the "local bruddah" who came to my aid on the morning of June 22 around 5:40 a.m. I was on the shoulder of the road with a flat tire, having a tough time with the spare.

Out of nowhere, these two come and render the type of "aloha" assistance that sometimes I only read about. They were just the best that could happen in a situation like that. I was on my way to an appointment, and without their help, I would have been very late.

Thank you very much. Your acts of kindness will not go unappreciated, and I will strive to return the same to the fellow motor and foot travelers.

Chamber of Commerce event a public service

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and its president, James Tollefson, should be commended for holding a series of briefings on mass transit legislation. In my view, this is the most important and controversial issue facing the future of the City and County of Honolulu and the state for generations to come.

Regardless of whether you support or oppose the pending legislation, the public interest is served when these contrasting viewpoints are fully discussed and debated in a public forum. The chamber's briefings on mass transit provided in-depth analysis and forthright dialogue by experts so that the public could learn more about this vital issue.

Congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce for its fine series of events. Please accept the thanks of at least one grateful citizen.

We should be proud of President Bush

As I read with great interest Rose Norberg's letter in the June 21 Star-Bulletin, I was reminded that one of the things that makes our country great is our right to voice our opinions. As such, I take this opportunity to voice mine. I am proud that we have a president who is faithful to his marriage vows, faithful to his God, faithful to his country and takes his oath of office seriously. I am proud that we have a president who is willing to defend our country against terrorists who avail themselves of our hospitality and higher learning centers, then thank us by hijacking our civilian aircraft, flying into our buildings and killing innocent Americans. In my opinion, those terrorists, not President Bush, started the present war.

I am confident that President Bush can read, that he is qualified to be our president and commander in chief, that he is doing the very best he can to keep our country safe and that he is a man of good character.

I wish I could personally thank every member of our armed forces for putting their lives on the line every day defending Ms. Norberg's and my right to voice our opinions.

I close with this simple question: Have you thanked a member of our armed forces today for fighting to protect your freedoms?

May God bless the United State of America!

Gov should sign bill for women's commission

After many years of struggle, House Bill 1393, HD2, SD1, CD1 was passed by the Legislature, taking the Commission on the Status of Women out of its temporary home in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and placing it in the Department of Human Services. This, in effect, gives it permanent status and restores the funding that was denied by the executive last year.

The most important fact to remember about the commission is that women's issues are family issues. Women have battled long and hard for access to quality health care, fair wages, and for equitable treatment of both sexes. In addition, there was broad female support in the Legislature this year for a bill establishing a "Commission on Fatherhood."

The Commission on the Status of Women has played a major role over the years in supporting the rights of victims of crime such as rape, international issues such as the global gag rule, and the ratification of CEDAW, the right of breast-feeding mothers to feed their children in public accommodations, and the protection of domestic violence victims. Now we need to make sure the governor signs this bill into law. I have confidence that our first woman governor, Linda Lingle, will make the permanent status of the commission a reality.

'Safe drug use' is not possible

Hawaii is being assaulted by misleading information that is costing countless lives. The most devastating effect, of course, is on the ones who are the most defenseless: our keiki.

Narconon, a nonprofit group that has helped addicts reclaim their lives for almost four decades, brings a message to students that is as important as it is unique: Drugs are not a "lifestyle choice." They are an assault against the individual and the mind, more dangerous and costly than any form of terrorism.

Not convinced? According to a report from Brandeis University, untreated addiction is America's greatest public health problem, costing America $400 billion each year -- more than twice the present cost of the Iraq war.

Narconon's message needs to be heard at a time when drugs are being dispensed to replace a nonbiological deficit of "attention." Where such legal drugs are often then peddled illegally so students can get high.

Since there are "experts" who claim it is natural for youth to experiment with drugs and the responsible route is to educate them toward "safe drug use," it is not surprising that a vocal few have objected to Narconon's drug abstinence message. But do they speak for our children, our future, or for their bottom line?

It is an ongoing battle that we can win if we have the courage to seek out the truth and arm our keiki against misleading and harmful lies about drugs.

C-17 flights at Kona would be beneficial

In regard to the proposed C-17 training flights planned for Kona International Airport, I really don't see what all the hubbub is about. The positives outweigh the negatives.

The Air Force would build a second runway at Kona International, which nonmilitary flights could use while not in use or for emergency use. Let us not forget back in 1988 a United Airlines DC-8 had its tires blow out on landing at Kona International, shutting it down for a few hours. On top of this the Air Force would improve the fire/rescue services at Kona International.

One thing I don't understand is, the military is already doing training touch-and-goes at Kona, and no one is grumbling about these training exercises. My gut feeling is this opposition is really just a cover for some people in the community against military expansion here. That's fine and dandy, but the focus on the C-17's training flights is wrong. Unlike the proposed Stryker training up at Pohakuloa, the military's use of Kona International Airport has tangible benefits to the community as a whole and should be fully supported.

Bad pothole fixes don't last very long

I'd like to add one more item to this already aggravating issue ("Former Mayor Harris culpable in neglect of city roads," Editorial, June 23). Someone needs to address the quality of the road repairs being done.

I drive 10 minutes to work on Kapiolani from Makiki, a short route. I can tell you that during the two years I've traveled that route, there have been countless pothole repairs -- and always the same potholes! Within two to three months they need repair again. Shouldn't these repairs last longer? What type of material is being used? The city needs to find solutions rather than temporary patches, and quit wasting resources for the same potholes over and over again.

I've been impressed with our new city administration thus far. This is an issue it might look to review.

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