GENEROSITY

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS MAKE HAWAI'I STRONGER PLACE

A story last Saturday said Honolulu ranks 42nd among 50 major U.S. cities in volunteerism, but it missed the point.

Last year, Honolulu ranked 44th. Not only did its overall national ranking improve this year, but the city ranked fourth in the nation for volunteer hours contributed by college students. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service survey, 37.4 percent of local college students volunteer compared with 29.6 percent nationally.

What's more, volunteerism overall in Hawai'i is holding steady at 24 percent, while it is waning in the western region as a whole.

We care because, as the study notes, 240,000 Hawai'i residents now contribute 39.6 million hours of volunteer service a year, often with local nonprofits. Based on the estimated value of a volunteer hour, $18.04, that represents a contribution to the community of more than $714 million per year.

Local volunteers willing to share time and energy make Hawai'i charities and communities stronger.

Whatever you call it — aloha, kokua or volunteering — the generosity of our people is outstanding.

AMBULANCE STORY

READER PUZZLED BY PLAY OF PAGE 1 STORIES

I was puzzled by the fact that an article telling drivers how to react to an ambulance on the road (Page One, July 9) had more priority in your paper than an article on the deadly attacks in Baghdad killing more than 20 people over the weekend.

Moreover, I was upset to see that the ambulance article covered more than half of the page while the Baghdad article was only an eighth of the page on the side.

I know we live in paradise, but the people of Hawai'i still need to understand the importance of global news.

In the Baghdad article it states that "at least 3,605 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war."

That fact is much more important for people to comprehend over how to treat an ambulance on the road. Most people already know to slow down and move to the side.

Making way for an ambulance is common sense, I drive frequently in Los Angeles and Hawai'i drivers are courteous when they hear an ambulance on the road.

APPRECIATES DECISION TO REASSESS SIREN USE

I am an obedient driver. At the sound of the siren, I pull over, even if others pass me in contempt.

Unfortunately for me, I also have very acute hearing, so sensitive that I often wish I could mute it, dampen it, damage it, because certain frequencies actually cause me pain.

On one occasion, I was in a left-turn lane when a fire truck came behind me and sounded its most deafening blast.

Not in panic, but in rabbit-like terror, I lost my senses and turned left across the oncoming traffic. I am grateful that I did not cause an accident in that incident and I also appreciate that the city is reconsidering when sirens should be used.

CONFLICT IN POLICIES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATION

After reading the July 9 story "At the sound of the siren," I was shocked to read that the city's Emergency Services Division is asking motorists to pull off to the side of the road and stop their cars completely when an emergency vehicle is going to pass.

I moved here this summer from Oregon and I thought that indeed should be the policy when a police car, ambulance or fire engine needs to pass.

However, I have just taken my Hawai'i driver's license test and I got that question wrong!

The correct answer to the question ("What should you do when you are driving on a highway and an emergency vehicle wants to pass?") was not to pull over to the side and stop completely, but to pull over and keep moving slowly so traffic doesn't get congested.

I am not at all trying to suggest that one or the other of these is the correct policy, but I do think that the policy needs to be clear so that drivers know what they are expected to do.

There should not be any conflicting information out about what to do in emergency situations.

GOV. LINGLE

PEDESTRIAN BILL FUNDS SHOULD BE RELEASED

The July 11 paper indicated Gov. Linda Lingle's lack of concern for Hawai'i's pedestrian safety via quibbling over the $3 million funding.

It is all taxpayer money, governor. Release the funds now.

On the issue of pedestrian safety, I would like to thank those unknown drivers who have been setting a good example for me when I drive over the Pali.

I am seeing an increase in vehicles stopping to allow pedestrians to cross in crosswalks. I have slowed to below the speed limit to be prepared to stop. I still reach my destination on time.

Timers should be set at lights to accommodate tutu crossing with her walker.

H-1 HAZARD

CALL TO 911 RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

My condo overlooks H-1 at the Ward Avenue onramp. On July 5, about 7:15 p.m., what appeared to be a piece of metal was bouncing from lane to lane as it was run over by passing vehicles in the kokohead-bound lanes.

Concerned that this could cause an accident, I called 911 and asked for police, non-emergency.

I was put through immediately and explained the situation to a very pleasant operator. She assured me that a report would be made.

Less than 10 minutes later, a marked car arrived on the scene; the officer maneuvered his car to block oncoming traffic, jumped out, grabbed the offending item and was on his way in less than three minutes.

Mahalo to the 911 operator, the HPD operator and the officer. Way to go!

HAWAI'I

LET'S ALL 'LIVE ALOHA,' GET RID OF ARROGANCE

In Hawai'i, the "A" word has always been "aloha." Unfortunately, such is no longer the case.

Recently, aloha has been replaced by another "A" word with quite a different meaning — "arrogance."

It is arrogance that lets pedestrians think they can cross streets anywhere and expect drivers to wait for them.

Arrogance that lets drivers think that traffic laws apply to everyone else.

Arrogance that has caused people to become inconsiderate of others and take up two or more seats on buses, stand in and block doorways, stand in the front of buses and blocking the way for boarding passengers.

Arrogance makes people think nothing of stopping to talk story at the tops and bottoms of escalators or stairwells, or of walking down the sidewalk four abreast leaving no room for those coming in the other direction.

Arrogance lets people think they can just drop their trash on the sidewalk, in the streets or on the beach with no regard for the environment.

The worst part is this arrogance is even more contagious than aloha and spreads faster.

I, too, have suffered this affliction of late.

Fortunately, there are still a few remote pockets of aloha left in the Islands. But unless we all make a conscious effort, even those pockets will be lost forever.

How about we all try to "Live Aloha!"

FIREFIGHTING

FIXED-WING AIR TANKERS NOT FEASIBLE IN HAWAI'I

In reference to Mike Sowers' letter ("Fixed-wing planes could help fight fires," July 6), the state does not have the funding to afford basing any fixed-wing air tankers in Hawai'i.

You have to realize the immense support structure both on the ground and in the air these contracted private companies require — it is not just an airplane with access to a water hydrant. Also, Hawai'i lacks a properly equipped firebase for one to operate out of. Furthermore, amphibious fire-tankers use freshwater lakes, not open ocean.

The B-747 air tanker was mentioned. However, it has not actually been used in a wildfire yet, and it is projected to cost several million to operate per year.

Finally, there are simply — and thankfully — not enough wildfire incidents, nor do they reach Mainland proportions in Hawai'i.

KALIHI

VIOLET STREET BRIDGE SHOULD BE FIXED NOW

The July 9 article about the little old bridge on Violet and Nihi streets in Kalihi was the worst example of city maintenance negligence one could imagine.

There is no excuse for the dilapidated, deteriorated, dangerous condition of this bridge.

Is the city just waiting for injuries, deaths and lawsuits before correcting the problem? The people of Kalihi and our city deserve better.

Why has this little old bridge, which has served faithfully for more than 60 years, been so neglected? Why have citizens, especially children and the elderly, been put in harm's way because of the lack of maintenance?

Laverne Higa, director of the city Department of Facility Maintenance, thinks the bridge should be demolished and not rebuilt. Auwe! What are residents to do?

Bill Woods-Bateman, Neighborhood Board member, has the only reasonable and fair solution: Repair the bridge immediately, and then later have another built nearby.

Pau with the bureaucratic delays. Fix the little old bridge.

PAPER

WORKPLACE RECYCLING CAN'T JUST BE TOKEN

Having lived in the Northwest, where real comprehensive (residential and commercial) recycling has been a part of life for well over a decade, I was disappointed that Ms. Suzanne Jones' immediate posture was defensive (Focus section, July 8).

Whether or not 35 percent statewide recycling is above a national average, it is ridiculously unacceptable for an island state. I would have rather heard Ms. Jones be more aggressive and positive about her expectations for Hawai'i.

Part of the problem is that while paper recycling is mandatory in offices meeting minimal size requirements, companies will continue to provide only token efforts at recycling because of the cost.

Having one bin per floor, rather than one small bin/box under every desk — is not recycling. Put the onus on building management to supervise tenants and comply with the law.

Successful recycling at work will translate into more recyclers at home.

It is pathetic that we teach our children to recycle, show love for the 'aina, etc., yet we don't model what we want them to learn.

It's not that hard to do the right thing.