Encourage kids to walk more

“;Why do I drive to school when we live so close?”;

That revelation came from one parent who recalled how much she enjoyed walking to school when she was younger.

Wednesday was International Walk to School Day. Honolulu Waldorf School was one of more than 3,000 schools across the U.S. and approximately 4 million people worldwide who participated in the special event. More than 50 people walked or biked to Waldorf. On that day there were fewer cars on the road, and pollution and dependence on oil was reduced.

Kids like to walk and bike. It's good for their health, for the environment and for the pocketbook.

Let's foster that enthusiasm by making it easier for them to walk and bike on a regular basis.

Isle reps shelter corrupt Rangel

Charlie Rangel is an admitted tax evader. He has violated tax codes, ethics codes and lied about his residency to get low-interest loans as well as renting four rent-controlled apartments. It appears he has given tax relief in return for a $1 million donation to his CCNY organization. On Wednesday, a resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives documenting more than 15 of these improprieties by Rangel, with the intent to remove him from his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes our nation's tax codes.

Reps. Mazie Hirono and Neil Abercrombie both voted against this resolution and are sheltering Rangel in his position.

Our representatives should support integrity in government. We need a change to responsible representation.

City not ignoring upkeep of roads

I'm writing to clarify a few issues in response to Lori Fukimoto's Oct. 7 letter linking the Waikiki Natatorium's future to road maintenance.

The city is aggressively repairing long-neglected roads and other infrastructure, and a final decision by Mayor Hannemann on the Natatorium will have no impact on the $150 million in roadway improvements scheduled over the next 18 months.

Over the past six months, the city has awarded more than $40 million in contracts for roadway work in Kailua, Pearl City, Aiea, Nuuanu and Pauoa, along with another contract for various projects islandwide. On Sept. 29, we held a major symposium with design consultants and contractors to expedite future projects.

We appreciate the concerns of Ms. Fukimoto and others, and invite them to learn more about what we're doing to improve our infrastructure.