Let's avoid traffic jam when Arroyo visits

On Sept. 16, when Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visits Oahu, it is possible that there will be serious traffic problems.

Why not use a (or several) helicopter(s) to transport the visitors?

Think it over.

Traffic jam proves we desperately need rail

Anyone on the road Tuesday afternoon will agree that traffic was horrendous everywhere. An excavator being hauled on a trailer damaged the H-1 pedestrian overpass in Aiea, and the freeway had to be shut down.

Desperate drivers tried a Windward route to get home via the North Shore. That backed up traffic on the Pali and Likelike for people trying to get home the long way. Kaneohe was congested for hours. More than a few people gave up and stopped for dinner to wait it out. I'm sure some of those poor people didn't get home before midnight.

Now, imagine a modern, efficient rail transit system that runs in its own right of way unimpeded by accidents, weather or stalled vehicles. Imagine if we had a rail system that gives us a reliable alternative to driving our cars. You would have had lots of riders today. I would have been one of the first on board, if only we had one. So, tell me, who says we don't need rail?

Police were absent from stopped freeway

As a visitor and Oahu vacation homeowner, I was welcomed to a four-hour traffic disaster Tuesday as I was heading to Ko Olina from the airport. During that four-hour period I never once saw police or helicopters or any attempt at communication to the thousands "stuck" in traffic, as you noted on yesterday's front page. After experiencing the worst traffic jam in my lifetime, I realized that Honolulu, and likely Hawaii for that matter, have absolutely no plans in effect if a terrorist attack were to occur here.

I can't understand why using the nearly empty east-bound lanes to assist west-bound travelers wasn't even attempted -- no assistance to alleviate the mounting frustrations felt by thousands of us as we slowly ran out of gas, or had serious vehicle overheating, or needed emergency medical attention.

There was no emergency radio station provided to alert us to what to expect or estimated times to pass the damaged overpass. I am mortified that the political leaders have shown little interest in what was a serious testing of so-called homeland security. It is apparent that Hawaii, and Honolulu in particular, have anything but security.

On Election Day, remember Tuesday, and vote accordingly.

Menor and Case are strongest on security

After watching the Akaka/ Case debate on PBS, I came to the conclusion that there are only two Hawaii candidates for national office who are worthy of being elected to help protect our existence as a freedom-loving, democratic nation.

I'll explain: The biggest issue now is security of our country. Our forces are fighting our enemies in the Middle East instead of combating them on the streets of America. If we bring our troops back, then we choose to fight them here, where collateral damage would be unthinkable. Look further on the horizon and you'll agree that U.S. Senate candidate Ed Case and U.S. House candidate Ron Menor are the only ones who have the wisdom to save our children and our future generation.

Akaka best represents island way of life

Having the ability to vote for the first time gives me the great responsibility of choosing candidates who I feel best represent my way of life, my community and my island home.

I had the chance to watch Senator Akaka and Congressman Case's TV debate. It is well known that Akaka is not a great debater; his strength and quality is building relationships.

I recently learned that almost half of Hawaii's voting population was not born or raised here. That means that our values and way of life might not always be represented. I strongly believe that the senator's qualities and characteristics best represent my island home.

I am going to vote for Akaka in this election. No, not because he reminds me of my storytelling grandfather, but because he reminds me of my grandfather's qualities -- not too often found nowadays.