Flags would save pedestrians' lives

I found Keith Miller's Feb. 15 letter to the editor, "Carrying a flag to cross is just goofy," insulting to an excellent legislator (Rep. Marilyn B. Lee), a person I admire and respect. Does Miller realize that in 2004 Hawaii's pedestrian death rate was fourth-highest in the nation? And despite a new state law requiring drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, this year's pedestrian death count is likely to surpass the 2004 rate.

The pedestrian flag approach, now used in 13 states, has increased motorists' compliance in giving pedestrians the right of way at crosswalks. In other words, fewer human beings dying on the roads. There's an old saying: Anyone can criticize, but constructive criticism goes a long way. I suggest Miller come down to the state Capitol and help us out by testifying on this bill. He can share his ideas on how to save lives.

Legislature should not decide Hokulia mess

Both Governor Lingle and Big Island Mayor Harry Kim now admit Hokulia never was an agricultural subdivision ("Lingle pushes for land use laws," Star-Bulletin, Feb. 19).

Before the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Lingle said, "We all know (Hokulia) is not an agricultural use." So the stated ag land use in the various Hokulia project application approvals was a fraud?

The Third Circuit Court found county government was equally at fault in allowing Hokulia's illegal land use. So it was surprising that Lingle also acknowledged that similar problems had previously cropped up on Maui. Does this mean then-mayor Lingle herself approved illegal subdivisions on constitutionally protected agricultural lands?

Lingle said, "The government has to keep its word." "The government has to keep its lie" would be more accurate.

Yes, the land-use tangle must be solved, but not by a legislative body in which developer financial interests are so powerful. The Legislature should wait for the guidance of the state Supreme Court before pulling the tangles out of Hawaii land use.

More comprehensive ag-land bill needed

A lot of people have been lambasting the Legislature for dealing with the Hokulia subdivision mess in Kailua-Kona (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 19). Yes, the bill looks like a Hokulia bailout. It is simply too narrow in scope and deals with only a part of the problem.

We need a comprehensive solution that covers these areas: we need to stop developers from banking land into the agriculture district, we need better use of rural zoning, appropriate uses of land in ag districts need to be clarified and ag subdivisions entitled after 1976 need to be grandfathered in to avoid litigation.

Hokulia has been made out to be the bad guy here, but what about the 140 ag subdivisions entitled previously statewide? What about the rights being denied to the 150 lot owners at Hokulia? We cannot wait 10 years for the Hawaii Supreme Court to render a decision and make things right.

Public funding is how elections should work

In its Feb. 13 editorial "Public funding shuts out special interests," the Star-Bulletin endorsed the idea of "clean elections." An example of this is Maine, where voters took control of their elections for less than $2 per eligible voter per year. What a bargain!

That is the best deal in politics. Accountability to citizens, not corporate special interests, for only $2 per voter per year. The taxpayers will save a lot of money and legislators will have much more time to listen to our concerns. That's the way it's supposed to work.

Case vacancy appeals to carpetbaggers

Now that Congressman Ed Case has announced that he will run for the U.S. Senate, numerous candidates have indicated that they will run for his vacant House seat. Unfortunately, most of them are not qualified for it.

Many do not reside in the second congressional district, nor have they ever shown any interest in the district, its people or our problems there until now. The individuals who do reside in the district leave a lot to be desired as candidates and really are not capable of handling the responsibilities of being a member of Congress. They are only political opportunists who are taking advantage of the situation, and their motives are not necessarily for the good of the district.

For the sake of our district, let us hope that a candidate who supports our interests and resides in the district will run and be elected. Just say "NO" to carpetbaggers! We don't want you!