GAS CAP

HISTORY HAS SHOWN US WHAT OIL FIRMS WOULD DO

I am not an expert on the pros and cons of the gas cap law. I find it interesting, however, that the critics state that we are paying more now for gas than what it would be without the cap.

As a senior citizen with the occasional lack of memory, I do however seem to remember in the recent past that the state of Hawai'i sued the oil companies for overcharging the citizens of Hawai'i; in fact, that was the motivation for the gas cap law. Why does anyone believe that our good friends the oil companies would not be charging even more if they had the freedom to do so?

I am a believer in the law of supply and demand and I am not a supporter of regulated prices, but I do think history has indicated what would be happening to us now if the oil companies had free reign.

CROSSWALKS

DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS SHOULD SHOW COURTESY

I am a bus rider and a pedestrian, often with two small children in tow, and I greatly appreciate drivers stopping for me at crosswalks. However, these crosswalks are a, pardon the pun, two-way street. That is, often, young, hearty people step into the crosswalk and then stroll as if they get some sort of power rush from holding up traffic.

This in turn annoys the drivers, and some feel compelled to hurry through the crosswalk before the pedestrian steps out. The results can be tragic.

Older or handicapped people will need more time to cross, and since one day most of us are going to be elderly, we need to show respect so that we get respect when it is our turn.

Then there is the problem of crosswalks governed by traffic lights. The pedestrian does not have the right to step out into traffic when the traffic has the green light.

I cannot solve the situation, but I can suggest that both drivers and pedestrians show courtesy to each other. Drivers, slow down; pedestrians, remember that the drivers really have somewhere to go.

HOMECOMING

ISLANDS ARE CALLING

With all that is troubling in the world today, there's one thing that keeps me going — that one day I will return to my beloved Hawai'i. A land of beautiful people, a proud history, a place where the feeling of just being there is like nowhere else on Earth.

Being Hawaiian is something that I hold dear to my heart and my kids. It's something I teach them to be proud of.

I love you, my Hawai'i. Someday we will meet again.

MADE A DIFFERENCE

KAMALII WILL BE MISSED

In 1984, Kinau Kamalii (R-Waikiki), along with Paul Lacy (R-Waikiki), convinced the state Legislature to appropriate $5.2 million for the purchase of the St. Augustine School and Convent, located in Waikiki, for a human services park to house the Waikiki Health Center and Waikiki Community Center.

Her leadership and perseverance were essential to the success of the project. Her contributions to our community were many and her presence will be missed. But her memory will last forever.

EDUCATION

DEALING WITH LITTER IS EVERYONE'S KULEANA

The amount of trash along our roadways and public areas is increasing all the time, and no solution in sight. Not only does it look bad and pose health and safety issues, but trash everywhere sends a message that we don't care about where we live.

It's great to be passionate about preserving and protecting the land, but we're not doing a very good job if it. We need to instill a sense of ownership in those folks who are doing the littering, and work to ensure the next generation puts a higher value on keeping this planet we live on a little cleaner.

Tackling this problem will take a concentrated effort from the state on down to individuals. For starters, an intense marketing campaign aimed at reducing litter should be initiated and aimed at both residents and visitors.

Equally important, our children should be taught to respect the land. Elementary school is a perfect time to start. Instruction on the importance of picking up your 'opala could easily be added to elementary school curriculum.

In the meantime, the directors of the Departments of Transportation, Parks and Recreation and other agencies tasked with maintenance of public areas need to do a better job of cleaning up and responding to concerns about the trash.

TEAM SELECTION

HHSAA TOURNAMENT HAS BECOME A JOKE

The HHSAA must change the football HHSAA selection process.

This year, three of the top-10-ranked football teams in the state will not be participating in the championship tournament simply because they belong to private schools; the ILH is only allowed one representative, and there have consistently been four ILH teams in the top 10 (Kamehameha, Punahou, St. Louis and Iolani).

This whole system is outdated; it was based on the OIA's desire to beat St. Louis by throwing four OIA teams at it during the state tournament.

The OIA is allowed four teams, and the OIA "championship" matches are a joke because both teams playing in each "division final" move on to the state tournament anyway.

The tournament should be decided on the quality of the teams, not whether or not they belong to a public or private school.

MOBILE HOMES

AFFORDABLE SOLUTION

The solution to meet affordable housing: Change the building and zoning codes to permit mobile homes and mobile home parks.