GAS PRICES

LEGISLATOR SHOULD OPT FOR FUEL-EFFICIENT CAR

In his May 17 commentary, Jon Riki Karamatsu cites spending "more than $3,000 per year on gas commuting between Hono-lulu and Waipahu" as an example of our high cost of living.

Let's do some math: I don't know exactly where Karamatsu lives, but it's about 17 miles from Farrington Highway and Fort Weaver Road to the state Capitol. Driving that roundtrip five times a week, 50 weeks a year (assuming no vacation, just 10 holidays per year), is 8,500 miles a year. At $3 per gallon, that's less than 8.5 miles per gallon. Even at $3.50 per gallon, it's still less than 10 miles per gallon.

Perhaps Karamatsu would find living here more affordable if he got a car that wasn't such a gas guzzler ... or caught the bus.

MOTORISTS ARE AGAIN GOUGED AT THE PUMP

I recently returned from a trip to the Midwest where gasoline prices are nearly as high as in Hawai'i. The reason given there is that refineries are strapped to meet the changeover from the winter to summer blends required in many markets.

Here in Hawai'i, where we burn the same fuel blend year-round, our prices have moved up in tandem with the recent rapid price increases across the Mainland. This is occurring despite there being no similar refinery capacity problems in Hawai'i.

Furthermore, the price of the crude oil needed to produce gasoline is within pennies per barrel of what it was six months ago.

We've shown here in Hawai'i that price controls distort the marketplace, but it sure seems like we are being price-gouged again.

CRATER CONCERT

DIAMOND HEAD CRATER CELEBRATION EXEMPLARY

The state of Hawai'i owes a debt of mahalo to Ron Gibson and his associates at GM Entertainment for putting on such an exemplary event with the Diamond Head Crater Celebration.

From the moment we parked our car we were greeted with aloha and handled with care until the moment we were dropped back off after the event. Everyone — security, parking attendants, shuttle drivers, coordinators, food vendors, I mean everyone, including the attendees — were all feeling aloha.

I cannot begin to imagine how much planning, coordinating and kokua that took Mr. Gibson, but I can tell you that I am personally very grateful that he has brought back this famous and fun event. See you in 2008 and far into the future.

A big mahalo, Ron. You and your team truly live aloha!

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

RIGHT-TURNING DRIVERS: TAKE A SECOND LOOK

As a frequent runner, I often see drivers turning right, either out of a driveway or street into the flow of traffic, first giving a quick look toward the right for pedestrians, then looking toward the left for oncoming cars and waiting for a chance to make their turn. What drivers fail to do is to again look toward the right. What you forget is there are also runners on the sidewalks who weren't there seconds ago but are now in front of your car.

It only takes a second to look again. It could save a life.

SAFETY

EXTEND THE REACH OF SAFETY CAMPAIGNS

It's the annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, a campaign I wish we had year-round, just as I wish the catch-a-speeder effort was year-round. However, I do believe we are being hypocritical in supporting "Click It or Ticket," which targets only occupants of enclosed vehicles.

Why don't we have laws outlawing passengers riding in the open beds of pickups and motorcyclists riding without helmets? Are their lives and safety less important than passengers in enclosed vehicles? In the event of an accident, they are certainly more vulnerable to injury or death.

Ask yourself: Do we focus on seat belts because it's a federally funded campaign or because of safety? Why can't (or won't) our legislators enact laws protecting the people of Hawai'i without regard to mode of transportation?

CONDOTELS

NEW CROP OF HOTELS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE

One of the issues raised by the growing number of "condotels" is accessibility for the disabled. In general, because a condominium unit is privately owned, there is no requirement to make it accessible under the American with Disabilities Act or other laws. But a hotel must make a certain percentage of its rooms accessible (including providing wider doors, grab bars and "roll in" showers).

When an owner of a condo decides to place that unit into the hotel pool, it becomes, by definition, a "place of public accommodation," which subjects it to the ADA and other laws.

But I think you will find, as I have, that few, if any, of the condo units being placed into the hotel pools are accessible. This results in the exclusion of many who are disabled from staying at a "condotel." This is an issue which the individual owners, the homeowners associations and developers of these projects need to resolve.

It is unlikely that those of us who are disabled are simply going to accept being told that "There is no room at the condotel."

STOP ABUSES

U.S. MUST CHANGE WAYS TO PREVENT TERRORISM

Jonathan Ching said Americans need to listen to the president (Letters, April 17). We have been listening to President Bush ... and listening and listening.

There is nothing coming out of his mouth that is believable or logical or trustworthy. There is nothing that we are doing in the Mideast that is making our country safer.

With our continued unpunished atrocities committed by our troops there and unjust imprisonment, we are creating more enemies than we are killing or imprisoning.

The way to prevent another 9/11 is to admit that we have been wrong and stop our abuses and terrorism in the Mideast.

SPECIAL CONCERT

MOVING PERFORMANCE BY MILITARY BAND

I am writing to express my appreciation for the excellent performance of the Combined Military Band Concert, held at the Hawai'i Theatre Center May 19. For those who did not have the opportunity to attend this function, you've missed a great presentation.

I was deeply touched, as many others were, by the beautiful selections of music performed, especially the music "Inchon." There were sounds in this rendition, which sounded like helicopters hovering among us. Many of the selections brought back memories of our lost ones in the military.

Also, I am deeply and sincerely grateful to the The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i and AT&T Hawai'i for sponsoring this wonderful concert, giving us the opportunity to hear such beautiful renditions by the military band.

DRUG TESTING

FOCUS ON IMPROVING SCHOOLS, NOT LEGAL FIGHT

Regarding the continued whining by numerous public school teachers regarding drug testing, and its supposed violation of their constitutional rights, the Supreme Court has ruled that such testing is legal.

Millions of federal government, state and commercial enterprise employees throughout the United States are subject to testing, and it's no big deal.

Now the teachers union is talking about bringing a lawsuit to stop the testing, money which could be much better spent on teachers' benefits.

I only wish that those who are so adamantly opposed to drug testing would devote a similar effort to bringing our public schools up to No Child Left Behind standards. Maybe the Hawai'i public school system wouldn't be in the shape it's in now.

STADIUM FIXES

COMPETITIVE BIDS ENSURE THE BEST DEAL

Gov. Linda Lingle has released the funds to resurface Les Murakami Stadium. Has there been competitive bidding to assure that the citizens and the students get the best deal possible? I'll bet not.

FIREARMS

MORE REGISTERED GUNS REFLECT CITIZENS' RIGHTS

Regarding David Shapiro's concern expressed in the May 20 Volcanic Ash column that "registered firearms sales in Hawai'i are at an all-time high," he should not be concerned when registered firearms sales are up. Those are the honest citizens who are exercising their rights, not criminals who are intending harm. Criminals do not register their firearms. Mr. Shapiro would not be concerned about the sale of golf clubs being at an all-time high.

Firearms, aside from their use for self-protection, are used in many types of shooting sports. There is skeet, trap, sporting clays and target shooting as well as hunting to be considered. These shooting sports all require skill, training and discipline to perform properly and are great fun in which to participate. Also, these are all sports that can be enjoyed equally by both men and women, young or old.

Find a friend who is engaged in one of these sports and join him or her. You will enjoy yourself and perhaps gain a better perspective on firearms issues.

UNRESPONSIVE

BUYERS SHOULD PROTEST TICKETMASTER'S TACTICS

"The Lion King" is the latest example of the power and monopoly that Ticketmaster has on ticket sales at the public's expense without any recourse.

I received an offer in the mail to pre-order tickets for "The Lion King" that clearly states tickets will be on sale until April 27 at 6 p.m. (Hawai'i time) with the password "MUFASA." Ticketmaster's Web site also offered "Lion King" tickets via pre-sale with the password "HONMAG" until April 27 at 6 p.m.

As I and others tried to purchase tickets April 27, both online and over the phone, we were told that "there was a gross misprint" and pre-sale tickets were no longer available. I hung up and called again, hoping it was a mistake.

When I asked Ticketmaster for a supervisor to discuss the problem, they shunned responsibility, saying it was the producer's responsibility (West Coast Entertainment) — even though its Web site was continuing to advertise the tickets pre-sale until 6 p.m.

Ticketmaster's influence and money are so great that Congress has been unable or unwilling to protect the interest of the general public. The bottom line is that until someone in the state or federal government is willing to regulate Ticketmaster's monopoly, the public will continue to be subject to its tactics and non-responsive customer service.