MAUI HOSPITAL

RESIDENTS IN NEED OF SUPPORT FOR FACILITY

The final rejection of a new and desperately needed hospital for Maui County by the SHPDA is an atrocity. It is time for the Legislature to be pono and end this process once and for all. Support Governor Lingle's request for immediate approval of Malulani on Maui and then end the entire CON procedure. Auwe people, even your own head of the SHPDA, Dr. David Sakamoto, says Maui needs this facility, but the antiquated law you have in place prevents him from approving it. People of O'ahu, your brothers and sisters on Maui beg you to write your legislators and demand action on this literal matter of life and death. Today the issue is saving lives on Maui. Tomorrow it could be you.

HOBRON LANE

CROSSWALK NEEDED TO ALLEVIATE FOOT TRAFFIC

There are several major condo complexes at or near Eaton Square (Hobron Lane between the Ala Wai Canal and 'Ena Road). Many of the residents use Eaton Square to buy their food, do their banking, go to the post office, etc.

Ray Gruntz and I are members of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board. Based on concerns voiced to us by residents of the area, Ray approached the Mayor's Office to look at adding a crosswalk on Hobron Lane by the Food Pantry since so many people cross there (from the Kalia, Chateau Waikiki, Kaio'o Loop, etc.).

The City came out and assessed the situation. Their response? Install a crosswalk? No. Ticket the jaywalkers.

Whatever happened to government for the people?

TAXES

KEEP THE REFUND AND USE IT FOR GREATER GOOD

If I earned more than $100,000 a year, and the state offered me a $25 tax refund, I would tell them to use it to fix our schools, help the homeless, or pay for dozens of other worthwhile projects that have been put on hold for four years so the governor could announce a huge surplus just before the election.

If fact, I think most people feel that way about the $100 tax refund to us poor folks, too.

I do.

ROAD SAFETY

PEDESTRIANS' ATTITUDES PART OF THE PROBLEM

Let me try to offer my observations as to why we have so many pedestrian accidents on O'ahu's roads.

Almost every weekday on the way to work, my husband and I encounter pedestrians lackadaisically crossing the short stretch of road — diagonally, I must add — from the Kukui Towers side of the road to the parking meters by the fire-station across the street.

Many of these pedestrians do not stop to check for oncoming traffic before they attempt to cross, and they certainly show no interest in stepping up their paces when they get on to the street. The pedestrians we have encountered look, for the most part, like able-bodied individuals.

The attitude that prevails is loud and clear: Let the traffic wait while I get across in my own sweet time.

DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS MUST BOTH BE ATTENTIVE

Driving is more of a privilege these days, especially with the cost of insurance, high gas prices and considering all the other means of transportation we have to get around. As a driver, before we get onto the dangers we can incur while just going to do our errands, we need to realize that pedestrians also are out there for a reason.

How would those persons who drive recklessly feel if someday their next of kin was the person who got injured or died because of some inattentive driver? Many senior citizens wake up at the dawn of the day, go out on their usual retired-lifestyle walk and never get back home. How would that feel if it was their father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, child, sister, brother or someone dear to us?

Pedestrians are just as much at fault as the driver, so both must abide with the safety rules. Pedestrians should always have eye contact with the driver before crossing, when they have the walk sign.

Those who run red lights are both a danger to pedestrians and other drivers proceeding their entry on green.

TRANSIT

REGULATED CARPOOL LANE BETTER THAN RAIL SYSTEM

1. What percentage of the West Island population is expected to use the transit system?

2. How many trains (cars) will be needed to transport riders from the west side of the island to Honolulu and beyond on a timely bases?

3. Will parking be available at terminal stations? At what cost to the rider?

My guess is that the rail system will not work, and also will not pay for itself in a long run.

My suggestion is use the car pool lane, restrict it only to our buses. Violators must be fined.

ID THEFT

SS NUMBERS SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED OF CLIENTS

Until government and private agencies offer a guarantee against database thefts, they should stop demanding confidential information from their clients.

Social Security advises people never to give their SS numbers to anyone except them and employers, yet every other social agency demands these numbers or withholds services.

An SS number and other confidential information can be used for ID theft to run up huge bills the victim is legally responsible to pay. ID thieves have ruined the credit and lives of thousands of people.

MTV SHOW

TV SHOULD RESPECT LOCAL CULTURE AND SPIRIT

I've seen a couple of letters to the editor on the new Maui based show "Maui Fever" and read the Associated Press article posted in Friday's paper regarding how people in the Islands feel about the show. I have to agree with the people who are not fans of the show.

I myself am a transplanted haole who came here as an 18- year-old soldier. That was 26 years ago. Because I was not born here, I will never be considered "local" but after a few bumps on the head, I have learned the "local ways." This show, which features a bunch of beer-drinking white kids, does not in any way represent what the real Hawai'i is all about. It's about being humble. It's about family. And it's about the Aloha Spirit.

That might make for boring television, but if that's the case, film the show in California and call it San Diego Fever. Shows claiming to be about Hawai'i should remain true to the Island Spirit.

ENERGY

HAWAI'I SHOULD BE A GREEN ROLE MODEL

If we concentrate on existing infrastructure and technology and make laws supporting them now, then we can develop an alternative fuel source in the future. Hawai'i could benefit by encouraging use of public transportation and more efficient cars. An easy (just paint those signs), yet dramatic change would be to make the HOV lane limited to three or more passengers (but allowing hybrid cars and any vehicle that consistently gets over 30 mpg) effective 24 hours a day (see California/Japan).

There should also be a luxury tax for drivers who own more than one car, and an added penalty tax for any vehicles that get less than 20 mpg. There should also be a toll for non-resident drivers going into O'ahu's most congested areas (see London) of Honolulu and North Shore, which could be avoided by the creation of park and rides outside the gridlock.

Making these kinds of changes would conserve oil, attract tourists and show that Hawai'i can be a role model for environmental reform.

PARK CONFUSION

KA'ELEPULU SIGN IS UNCLEAR FOR PET OWNERS

I live near triangle park (Ka'elepulu park) in Kailua. We enjoy taking our kids to the park and, occasionally, like to take our dog with us for exercise. I'm told that lately there have been "complaints" about dogs in the park; therefore, police officers have stepped up their surveillance of the area, issuing "warnings" to people with dogs in the park.

When I went to the Hawaiian Humane Society's Web site, it lists Ka'elepulu park as a "dogs-on-leash-allowed" park. Which is it? Dogs or no dogs?