SUPERFERRY

LET'S WELCOME VISITORS FROM OTHER ISLANDS

I was appalled and angry when I read the letter "Superferry will ruin Hawai'i communities" on March 10.

First off, why does Trevor Cabell suggest only the Neighbor Islands care and respect their communities?

I am a lifelong O'ahu resident, love my island and have never resented off-island or any other people who come to visit. My feeling is e komo mai, come enjoy my island home.

What is the problem with people going to Kaua'i or any other island to fish, hunt or camp? Many people come to O'ahu to do just that and we welcome them.

As for who wants the Superferry — people from all islands have shown support for it.

Many feel it will be good for local families, sports teams and small local businesses.

ROADWAYS

LANE SPLITTING WILL GET TRAFFIC MOVING FASTER

Will fixed rail solve our traffic problems? And just how long will we have to wait to find out?

Here is a quick fix that will alleviate traffic congestion on our roads by enticing people to substitute their car for a motorcycle or motor scooter:

Lane splitting. Legal in California and many foreign countries, lane splitting permits motorcyclists to pass between traffic in a safe and prudent manner.

This creates an additional lane of traffic between any same-direction two lanes of traffic for two-wheeled vehicles. Two lanes become three. Three lanes become five. You get the idea.

If riding a motorcycle or motor scooter would be an option for you, wouldn't you rather be moving efficiently to your destination than being stuck in traffic, or crammed in a crowded bus, or waiting for a fixed-rail system that won't be available for many years and most likely won't go where you need to be?

Please write, call or e-mail your legislators to get lane splitting legalized in Hawai'i, and let's get moving on our roads again.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

BICYCLISTS SHOULD BE MORE AWARE OF LAWS

I was driving on Ala Wai Boulevard on a recent afternoon and saw a bicyclist who was riding on the sidewalk cause an in-line skater to jump to the side to let him pass — since it didn't appear he was going to allow her enough room to pass.

The skater slipped off the curb and fell in front of my car.

As a result, my 3-year-old daughter and I were in a bad fenderbender to avoid hitting the skater. It was all because of the inconsiderate bicyclist who was breaking the law.

As a bicyclist myself, I can only urge all bicyclists to abide by the law, which states that it is illegal for bicyclists to ride on sidewalks in business districts and in Waikiki. The law also requires bicyclists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, especially if on a sidewalk.

In addition, it would help if the Honolulu Police Department would consistently enforce such laws with citations.

I rarely see a bicyclist being given a ticket. If they were, perhaps they'd be more aware of the laws.

CROSSROADS

SOME DON'T ENVISION A FAMILY-FRIENDLY KAILUA

Your March 19 article "Kailua at crossroads over future growth" asks whether Kailua will remain a largely residential community or continue to grow into a more commercial center.

I would add a third option, which certain members of the current Kailua Neighborhood Board seem to favor, of an elitist retirement community.

The Kailua Neighborhood Board voted to ban bounce houses and recreational kiteboarding at Kailua Beach Park, and does not favor keeping Kailua a family-friendly community.

Kailua's keiki, families and hard-working taxpayers, who enjoy birthday parties at the beach and kiteboarding after a long day at work, deserve a voice.

JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION

SENATE'S VOTE SHOWS WHY PEOPLE ARE FED UP

It's perfectly clear why we've got the worst voter turnout in the nation and most people could care less about what goes on at the Legislature.

Case in point: I attended the confirmation of two judges last week at the state Senate. I was blown away by how disrespectful the Democratic majority was to the attendees. Frankly, I'm outraged at what happened.

The families and friends of Mark Recktenwald and Glenn Kim showed up to support them, and the Senate Democrats made them wait more than two hours while they talked behind closed doors.

It's one thing to waste your own time, but it's a whole different ballgame when you waste the time of a couple of hundred people because you don't have your act together.

If Senate President Colleen Hanabusa wants to stay in power, I suggest she start showing some leadership skills.

This is exactly why people are fed up and politics has such a bad name.

IRAQ

MANY WARS EXPEDIENT BUT ALSO UNNECESSARY

America spends more on "defense" than the next 25 countries combined.

In fact, only Russia and China have been a real threat to us since World War II. Many wars may be politically expedient but unnecessary.

In his letter of March 19, Ernest Smith uses the often-used reason for war, that we are fighting them over there to prevent fighting here (fear is the motivator).

This reasoning was used by Hitler to attack Russia after the staged bombing of the Reichstag. It was used by us to enter Vietnam (the domino theory) and to expand it (friendly fire at the Gulf of Tonkin).

Unlike the WWII Axis, Iraq has no credible air force or navy. It is no threat to us here, but has served a political purposes to scare up the vote.

The above wars, which have been waged for political purposes based mostly upon paranoia, have proven to be tragically unnecessary.

TOURISM PROMOTION

HAAS HIGHLIGHTED ISLES' RICH CULTURE AND ARTS

The March 13 Hawai'i Tourism Authority Update meeting at the Convention Center had a melancholic feel for some of us involved with Hawai'i's museums, culture and the arts.

It was the last time we would hear Frank Haas present his marketing updates and new ideas for the year. They would inevitably highlight Hawai'i's rich cultural heritage and visual and performing arts.

Hawai'i's sun, surf and sand are hard to compete with in getting the attention of visitors, but as vice president of marketing for HTA, Haas always understood the value of promoting Hawai'i beyond the beach.

Visitors who take in some of the arts and culture leave enriched with new experiences, open minds and a better sense of where they've been.

Their Hawai'i memories will last much longer than their tans, and they'll have stories to tell even when macadamia nuts are gone.

The members of Arts With Aloha thank Frank Haas for his support in furthering our mission to promote Hawai'i's multi-cultural and vibrant arts scene.

With his cultural understanding and appreciation for the arts, Frank has taken Hawai'i's dynamic art scene to a new level of awareness and left a legacy that should be continued.

SPECIAL NEEDS

SCHOOLS DON'T INVEST IN LEARNING-AID DEVICES

Thank you for writing about the second-grader at Lincoln Elementary and his new, donated high-tech aid that reads out loud words that he chooses.

Unfortunately, our schools have not invested in these devices. Our children who have limited ability to speak and be understood would be able to use such equipment, but our experts at the Department of Education have not recommended them or know how to use them. So, our kids must do without.

My son with Down syndrome thrives with sign language and speech simultaneously, known as Total Communication.

But I know that when he's spelling independently he could use such a device if he needs it, so I'm teaching him on the computer at home.

Why can't the DOE have such a plan? I know a preschool special-ed student who no longer attends the district's special-education preschool program because the class staff would not learn her special communication device so that the child could continuously use it and learn new words.

I've seen an expert attorney use a similar device; it's wonderful!

SCHOOLS

GRADE SYSTEM DOESN'T MEASURE PERFORMANCE

I sat down with my son recently to discuss his school performance. We felt it was time to make some changes in his study habits and to set some new guidelines in our home for our kids to follow.

During the discussion, I explained that we had high standards and he was capable of As and Bs.

I then realized that I was not sure what his grades were in each subject. How do you measure a grade in a subject when there are 11 different check boxes?

I wanted to set a goal for my son on his grades, but I had no idea how to set a goal for such an intangible measurement. The system is ludicrous.

Setting goals and "measuring" performance are pillars of our success as a society. If you can't measure your performance, you don't know how you are doing.

Give us a system that allows us to measure our kids. What was wrong with As and Bs, anyhow?