Letters to the Editor
ACCIDENTS
PEDESTRIANS ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY
With all the recent pedestrian accidents, it should be clear there's a problem. However, it seems that the general assumption is that drivers are always at fault.
Strengthening laws and stiffening penalties will do little if pedestrians do not also assume responsibility! It won't undo injuries or deaths. It won't bring back victims or ease the pain of the loved ones left behind.
Size prevails, regardless of how many laws and penalties we enact. Pedestrians must also take part in ensuring their own safety.
Our city is growing. We have more pedestrians and drivers every day. We must share our roadways and drive with aloha.
Pedestrians must also do their part by obeying the traffic laws and exercising prudence.
Please, when crossing the street be conscious of drivers. Make eye contact with them. Be wary and don't assume because the law gives you the right-of-way that a driver can or will stop. Be sure!
It's a cliche, but the life you save may be your own!
Lisa Seng DoolingHonolulu
PEDESTRIANS MUST BE MORE CAREFUL ON ROADS
It is sad to see so many pedestrians being killed on our roadways these past few weeks.
I remember when I was growing up that my parents and teachers taught me to look both ways before crossing the street.
It saddens me more to see pedestrians not following this simple rule.
As I drive around O'ahu, I see pedestrians running across the street not in a crosswalk. And some are walking in the crosswalk, but against the red light.
Pedestrians have to remember that when you walk onto the road, you take a risk in getting injured or even killed. Pedestrians cannot increase the risks by being careless.
Pedestrians also cannot assume that the driver will always see them, and that the burden cannot be put solely on the drivers.
Pedestrians have to sometimes be held responsible for their carelessness. If pedestrians just use a little common sense and are more alert, there will be less tragedy on our roads.
Alan Kim'Aiea
IRAQ WAR
WATADA DISRESPECTED OTHER SOLDIERS, NATION
I am appalled to see that a mistrial was declared in 1st Lt. Ehren Watada's case.
I was a high school classmate of his, and I am also a very proud Army wife. Words cannot describe how upset I was to hear that he not only disobeyed a direct order, but now he is trying to get away with it!
Everyone who joined the military after 9/11 knew they were going to war. Lt. Watada is no exception.
He disrespected my husband, the Army and this country. He also disrespected many of my fallen friends who went to war, did what they swore to do and never returned home. They did it so that people who oppose the war have the freedom to do so.
Lt. Watada, if you were afraid to go, then just say that you were afraid, don't try to use "the war is illegal" as a defense.
You signed on the dotted line, as did my husband and all other soldiers.
You have a duty as an officer, as a soldier, to defend your country.
Pua BookFort Sam Houston, Texas
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
PLANNED PARENTHOOD SUPPORTS THESE BILLS
Each year, Planned Parenthood of Hawai'i provides more than 7,500 women, men and teens in Hawai'i with reproductive healthcare to stay healthy and plan their families.
Our three health centers provide more than one-third of the publicly supported contraceptive services and supplies in Hawai'i for low-income women and teens. The way to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion is by increasing access to real sexual education and birth control.
We are urging everyone to help pass important prevention legislation in Hawai'i and nationwide.
Nationally, the Prevention First Act will expand access to birth control and family planning services, ensure equity for prescription coverage of contraceptives, increase access to and awareness of emergency contraception and provide teens with medically accurate sex education. These are common-sense prevention measures that will reduce unintended pregnancy and can be supported by everyone.
Barry RaffChief executive officer, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii
LINGLE PLAN
DON'T TAP ERS FUND FOR INVESTMENT CAPITAL
In reference to the Feb. 4 article, "Retirement fund eyed for capital," Gov. Linda Lingle wants to tap the Employees' Retirement System to the tune of $100 million on the uncertain venture she is proposing.
As a retired state employee on a fixed income, I try to preserve the little capital I have by investing wisely. I don't gamble my money on uncertain ventures, and I certainly don't want my pension money gambled away in any such scheme.
I am wary of this government's always wanting to raid one fund or another.
Don't gamble with my retirement funds. The state and county workers should raise their voices: Don't raid the Employees' Retirement System's funds!
Nan YuenKailua
BUDGET SURPLUS
SOCIETY IS JUDGED BY CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED
The state surplus should be used first to care for those who are homeless and to help families in need.
Pay raises for public employees are valid, but needy families need help the most.
We should be spending our tax dollars on educating people about healthy lifestyles, spiritual needs, etc.
We need to support our state Child Welfare Services by hiring more social workers and family caregivers.
We do not need to give token refunds to taxpayers. This money will be better used by helping the orphaned and disadvantaged in our society.
A society is judged by how it helps the ones at the bottom.
Ronald LauHa'iku, Maui
HIGHER EDUCATION
COSTS MAKE IT DIFFICUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE
From the time we are children, we are taught that college is the right way to go, but then why is it so hard to attain a college education?
The cost of college, especially here in Hawai'i after you include living expenses, is high, and there is little help out there.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid has certain requirements to qualify, but what if you don't fall under those categories? You're forced to take out high-interest loans.
I pay for everything on my own, and when I asked why I don't qualify for federal financial aid, I was told my parents make too much money.
I don't see any of the money my parents make, they don't claim me as a dependent and yet I need to wait until I am 24 to qualify for financial aid. This already makes me question our federal system.
Then, with our great state surplus, there's a chance I might receive money back. $25? What good will that do individuals, when college should be more accessible through lower costs?
Cassidy T. InamasuHonolulu
SOCCER
ILH RULE IS ARCHAIC, SHOULD BE TOSSED OUT
The Saint Louis School varsity soccer team has forfeited all of its games, including a 3-2 win over Kamehameha. The forfeit gives Kamehameha the ILH championship and an automatic bid to the Hawaii State Soccer Tournament.
Well, it finally has happened. A young man committed the eternal sin of playing soccer during the club season while participating in the ILH at the same time. The result was devastating for his school (0-12 season) and allowed the ILH championship to be determined by a forfeit.
I recently spoke to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America high school representatives from Texas and Florida and mentioned that the Hawai'i private school league (ILH) does not allow a player to play soccer in the club system during the same time as the high school season. Both men told me that they used to have that archaic rule, but threw it out because it made no sense and potentially could create serious problems with forfeits, etc.
One would think that athletic directors who care for our young men and women would have the common sense to stop regulating the free time of our youth and allow the parents to decide what their sons and daughters do when not in school. There is no crime in playing both club and high school soccer. The real crime is making them choose between the two.
The Saint Louis player guilty of playing in an outside league should have known better, but the whole issue could be resolved by throwing out this archaic rule.
Any chance? I doubt it!
Bob BarryKane'ohe
FREEWAYS
SPACING CARS WOULD EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION
A law that would make it mandatory to always have six or seven car lengths between you and the car ahead of you would eliminate traffic congestion on the H-1 and H-2 freeways.
This interval occurs naturally outside of rush-hour jams.
Jammed-up cars must go slow, and cars packed tightly together do not allow for more cars to enter without cars already there having to slow down or stop.
The faster speed of the cars when observing the six- or seven-car interval clears more space for more cars more quickly than tightly packed cars. Do the math.
Let's call this the interval solution. Of course, there are no union jobs or new taxes attached to this solution, so forget it.
It seems counterintuitive, but it works, except for the politics.
F.N. TrenchardHale'iwa
