PROJECT FUNDING

STATE NOT COMMITTED TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

The Advertiser's Aug. 5 article, "$18.5M will go to safety for pedestrians," is enlightening but disappointing in that it highlights the state administration's lack of commitment to pedestrian safety.

Restriping crosswalks and filling potholes is not an improvement, it's simply necessary maintenance that was already in the budget. We expect this as proper maintenance.

Changing all traffic lights to LED (light-emitting diodes) is great for the cars, saves energy and eliminates the need to change light bulbs, but this is no benefit to pedestrians.

During legislative testimony on the pedestrian safety bills, the Department of Transportation stated it would need $1 million for a consultant's study to discover what needs to be done.

AARP has already researched and identified the 50 most dangerous intersections. It is the state's duty to keep pedestrians safe when they use our streets.

In fact, little money has been spent on projects that address pedestrian safety, which led to the passage of Act 10 over the governor's veto. The governor is stymieing and delaying hard-fought efforts to save lives with her refusal to release $1.5 million per year in state funds.

The counties understand the problem, and agreed to match $600,000 each year for the next two years to get the ball rolling.

That money would fund things like recalibrating traffic signals to lengthen crossing times at the most dangerous intersections, which is of real benefit to pedestrians.

Kokua Council believes the governor should release the money immediately, because it is imperative to start saving lives now.

DOT MUST FOCUS ON UNSAFE INTERSECTIONS

The projects that the Department of Transportation described in The Advertiser's Aug. 5 article, "$18.5M will go to safety for pedestrians," seem to be for the benefit of drivers rather than pedestrians.

The Legislature voted to override the governor's veto of Act 10 so that the most dangerous intersections could be fixed and pedestrian lives saved. Changing traffic lights from light bulbs to LEDs won't achieve that.

The bottom line is that we want to see the unacceptable number of deaths and injuries — the worst in the nation for older pedestrians — reduced quickly.

The DOT needs to focus on improving conditions at the most dangerous intersections uncovered by the May 2006 AARP survey, as the Legislature intended.

Unfortunately, the governor hasn't released the funds and the DOT won't talk about changing its budget and plans to implement the law.

Throughout the legislative session, the DOT supported the bill and its $3 million appropriation. Act 10 calls for the crossing times to be increased, for tests of flashing signals, in-pavement warning lights, advanced crosswalk markers, and for increased education and enforcement of existing laws.

Each of the counties has committed matching funds. It all starts with the governor releasing the money to begin this important project.

The Pedestrian Safety Coalition asks readers to call the governor at 586-0034 and ask her to release the pedestrian safety funds without delay.

TRANSIT

APPLAUDING THOSE WHO ARE STUDYING OPTIONS

I am very disappointed in our mayor for his responses cited in the Aug. 4 article, "Mayor: No transit changes."

How can taxpayers be guaranteed that the final cost will amount to $5 billion? History here has shown that projects in Hawai'i are rarely, if ever, completed on time and within budget.

How can we be sure that this rail system will even solve our traffic problems?

I applaud those councilmembers who are exploring other, more-feasible options and are truly working on behalf of taxpayers.

Mr. Hannemann, I'll remember what you said the next time you decide to run for office.

FOOD STAMPS

DHS WORKING TO RAISE PARTICIPATION RATE HERE

We want to thank The Advertiser for highlighting efforts by the Department of Human Services to increase participation in the food stamp program. Hawai'i has historically had one of the highest participation rates in the nation.

The most recent federal data show 92.4 percent of those eligible received food stamps in 2004, the fourth-best access rate in the nation. DHS received a $507,892 performance bonus from the federal government for this achievement.

Since 2003, DHS has increased access to the program. Current data show that the number of people statewide using food stamps is higher in 2007 than in 2006. Our goal is to ensure that 100 percent of people eligible for food stamps utilize this valuable nutrition assistance.

As part of this effort, we commissioned a survey report by the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i to help us develop a public outreach plan, and identify barriers to participation. We are taking action to address these barriers.

Prior to this report, Hawai'i was one of 32 states working with the federal government to redesign and simplify benefit application forms, which ranged from 5 to 16 pages.

DHS and the Lingle-Aiona administration believe no one should ever go hungry.

We will continue to explore new avenues to strengthen the food stamp program so people can get financial nutrition assistance and make healthy food choices.