PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

DISAGREES THERE IS MORE ENFORCEMENT

I was very happy to read in The Advertiser that a 40-year- old who communicates with a minor and sets up a meeting for sexual purposes will get a minimum of 10 years prison time if caught. However, I was very disappointed to read in the next day's edition that if that same 40-year-old hits a minor, or anyone for that matter, in a marked crosswalk crossing with the light, that he or she will not likely serve any jail time at all.

I disagree with the city's and state's claims that they have "stepped up enforcement of tougher traffic laws" to improve pedestrian safety.

In a recent four-day period, I counted more than 20 occurrences of drivers going through red lights — not those entering the intersection when the light is yellow, but clearly running red lights — each day between Downtown and Waikiki.

I have never seen a driver in Waikiki get pulled over by police for failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or for running red lights, and there have often been police officers right there when it happened.

Meanwhile, local elderly pedestrians are still getting harassed even when they are in crosswalks.

I agree that drivers and pedestrians need to be more aware and considerate of each other, but if the current laws aren't being enforced, and if violators are just getting a slap on the wrist, if that much, then why should drivers care.

RENEWAL REMINDER

MOST HAWAI'I DRIVERS RENEW LICENSES ON TIME

In response to Ted Meeker's May 17 letter regarding the driver's license renewal process, I'd like to clarify that drivers have several options and responsibilities.

Drivers can apply for a renewal six months before their license expires, and must renew by their birth-date renewal deadline. If renewed within 90 days after expiration, there is no penalty or reactivation fee. After 90 days, the reactivation fee is $5 for each 30 days late or fraction thereof.

Unfortunately, some drivers mistakenly conclude that this constitutes a 90-day grace period in which the driver's license remains valid after it has expired. This is not the case. A license is no longer valid once it expires on the birth-date renewal deadline. It is unlawful to drive with an expired license.

Only a few drivers fail to renew their licenses within the prescribed period.

The state Department of Transportation, which oversees the statewide driver's licensing program, eliminated the cost of printing and mailing renewal notices because the percentage of noncompliant drivers is so small, and the process is so straightforward.

Providing important information to our citizens is paramount at the City and County of Honolulu Customer Services Department, but we cannot justify increasing motor vehicle fees to subsidize providing nonessential driver's license renewal information. I hope this is helpful.

GOOD SAMARITAN

NED NAKOA WAS A MAN WHO LED BY EXAMPLE

The beating death of Ned Nakoa, Jr. has sparked a lot of discussion. But among the people I know, instead of talking about Good Samaritan laws or getting tougher on crime, we just talk about Ned and all the good we remember.

I used to work with Ned, and it's been almost three years since I've spoken to him. I've had the urge to call him several times since then, to thank him for the lessons I learned from him. I just put it off until it became awkward.

Now as I remember him, the things I learned from him, and the thanks I wish I had given him, I realize the importance of seizing the day.

If you have something nice to say to someone, don't wait to say it in their untimely obituary, eulogy or letter to the editor.

There is no right or wrong time, there is only now. For what it's worth: Thank you, Ned, for leading by example.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

SET DEDICATED TIME FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS

Here's my two bits on the pedestrian tragedy. Most of our issues lie in the deadly mixture of pedestrians and vehicles at the same intersection at the same time. Pedestrians now are crossing any old time without consideration of their light control, the flashing red hand. Cars still don't stop when making right turns, on any light.

It's time we separate the two. Change to a dedicated time for all pedestrian crossings at the same time, as in parts of Waikiki. When vehicles are moving, no pedestrians anywhere on the street.

And while we are at it, why not shorten the time for the yellow, and add it to the time from red to green? Too much time is given to run the yellow and is another excuse for drivers to act stupid. And there should be a $300 fine for running the red light.

ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS

MORE POLICE PATROLS NEEDED IN SOME AREAS

It seems that brazen daytime robberies are now becoming rampant in several O'ahu communities, especially the St. Louis Heights area.

I hope that the St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Association and other neighborhood organizations will pressure the Honolulu Police Department to conduct regular patrols of the St. Louis Heights area and other communities around O'ahu so that this type of crime can be prevented.

In addition, I sincerely hope that Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona will abide by his promise to control the ice situation in the Islands, which certainly is the chief cause of much of the rise in crime (bank, car, hotel, residence, muggings, etc.), especially in recent times.

When we first arrived in Hawai'i almost 50 years ago, houses and cars were never locked up for fear of robbery, and now it is a totally different situation.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION

VEHICLE SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE ENFORCED

I read and hear on a daily basis about motor vehicle accidents, some involving fatalities. The resulting traffic delays can be quite frustrating. I greatly appreciate the job the Honolulu Police Department does to provide for our public safety, including special campaigns such as Click It or Ticket, DUI checkpoints or crosswalk monitoring.

I travel to the Mainland frequently, and notice cars pulled over by police departments on a regular basis. I never see that on our island, but daily find myself following cars with one or two brake lights burned out.

On a recent commute, I counted 16 cars in a single eight-mile commute to work with one or more brake lights burned out.

I can't help but wonder if some of the rear-end accidents could be prevented by enforcing vehicle safety standards, such as ensuring that all brake lights are functioning.

I realize that speed and following too closely are contributing factors, but are we doing everything we can to prevent accidents?

CLICK IT OR TICKET

AIRBAGS DON'T REPLACE SEAT BELTS IN VEHICLES

I was reading the letter by Paul D'Argent (May 16) claiming that he has airbags in his car and would be safe in an accident.

As the Hawai'i state chair for Injury Prevention for the Emergency Nurses Association, I feel I need to respond to that comment.

Airbags were meant to work in conjunction with seat belts, not in place of them. A study by the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington looked at 51,000 accidents between 1990 and 2000. The study indicated that 313 lives were saved by airbags while 11,690 were saved by seat-belt use.

Having an airbag in your vehicle doesn't make you immune to injury. And if you question whether seat belts save lives, read the story about the accident in Nanakuli on May 15. The passenger in the truck who was wearing a seat belt survived with minor injuries while the driver was ejected and died.

Seat-belt use saves lives, and I support the Click It or Ticket campaign. The more seat belts that are used, the fewer major injuries and deaths in emergency rooms.

GOVERNOR'S TRAVELS

WHO IS PAYING FOR LINGLE'S TRIP TO ISRAEL?

"What do they know about how we do things here in Hawai'i?" That's the cry whenever we get advice from "outsiders" on how to improve something, such as our education system or the pothole mess, etc.

So I have two questions:

What is Gov. Linda Lingle doing in Israel?

Who is paying for this trip halfway around the world to get advice and information that we won't pay any attention to?

PAHOA VOLLEYBALL

TEAM RETURNS HOME WITH GOOD MEMORIES

On behalf of my nephew, Coach Ikaika Marzo, and the Pahoa boys volleyball team, I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the families, coaching staff and the HHSAA Division II State Volleyball champions, Hawaii Baptist Academy.

Coach Marzo struggled to bring his team to O'ahu because of a lack of funding, but managed (at the very last hour) to secure funds from family, alumni and local businesses.

This was a first for Pahoa School, and he wanted more than anything to bring his team to O'ahu rather than forfeit their position. They took third place and three of his players were named to the all-state tournament team, as well as three from Hawaii Baptist and one from Hilo High.

After Saturday's game, both teams, unbeknownst to each other, chose to celebrate their victories at Pizza Hut. They applauded and congratulated each other along with the greatest warmth from the Hawaii Baptist families: moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers. This was a chicken-skin moment for Pahoa's team, and I know this will be in their hearts and memories for a while.

The icing on the cake came when we were informed that the families of Hawaii Baptist Academy took care of our expenses. We were more than grateful for this unselfish act.

What was a financial struggle for Pahoa's team turned out to be a happy and rewarding event, not only on the volleyball court but off the court as well.