LOCAL PHARMACIES HAVE LIFESAVING EDGE

In regard to mail-order prescription drugs mandated by the Hawai'i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund: I recently had a pain med prescribed by my orthopedic M.D. that was in direct conflict with one of my maintenance medications. Luckily, Stu McElhaney of the Pillbox caught it. I'm a nurse but didn't know the particular interaction. If I was on maintenance meds by mail from Florida, as I will have to have as a state employee, I could have died.

I am also concerned about money going out of state when we need the revenue. James Williams, EUTF administrator, is quoted as saying savings for "87,000 members and dependents ... is tangible," but also that he doesn't think "that's a high enough number" to put some local pharmacies out of business. What doublespeak. Shame on him.

Penelope Hazzard, R.N. | Honolulu

RESTRICTION CAN RENDER PLAN USELESS

I am a federal worker. We have the same drug prescription program that allows us to save money using a mail-order system. The trouble is that I can only use this service for prescriptions that are over 30 days in duration.

Until the plan allows prescriptions under 30 days, employees will not be able to save money. When trying out a new drug, we do not want to order in large quantities. That would be a even larger waste if the drug does not work out. Allowing smaller orders makes sense.

Michael Nomura | Kailua

SERVICE IS WONDERFUL FOR THE CONSUMER

While I am a part-time resident of Hawai'i, I must say that I have been participating in a mail-away prescription service for the last 10 years.

I love the service. The medications come quickly, and refills come even faster when ordered online. Delivery is free. I get my meds from the East Coast to Hawai'i in less than five days.

With my plan I pay either $0, $10 or $35 maximum for a 90-day supply. I cannot comment on the impact to local drug stores, but this service is wonderful for the consumer.

Jeff Skydell | Wai'anae

CITIZEN PATROL

VOLUNTEERS MUST BE TRAINED FOR SAFETY

The people patrolling the Kalihi Valley Homes range in age from their 20s to 60s ("Tenants reclaim housing project," Aug. 6), but how many of them are trained in law enforcement?

What would happen if a drug user accosted an untrained patrol person or group who was on watch and the police did not respond fast enough? Would the flashlights they carry be enough to stop an enraged "ice head" with a knife or possibly a gun? I understand that the residents have made improvements to their community, but at what price?

The economic crisis is affecting the amount of police patrolling the projects, which is why citizen patrol is being encouraged.

Why not offer a class to these groups before sending them out? If a volunteer from the local police force had a class at a community center teaching effective defensive tactics it would improve the situation when encouraging untrained citizens to go out on watch.

Rachael Provenzale | Honolulu

GAMBLING TAX

BETTER IDEA: LOTTERY, SPORTS BOOKING

Again, the state is squeezing its residents by taxing winnings and not allowing the write-off of losses, all for about $300,000 a year in revenue. How did this get by the public? We the people are facing our own financial hardships with increases in taxes and fees from the city and county, gas, food prices on the rise.

Since gambling is the state's new target, start a lottery or sports booking. Residents and visitors who participate have a chance to win and the state will benefit more money than this small-capital Las Vegas scheme.

Roy Johnson | Kailua

SEN. GABBARD

DEMOCRATS SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING

Wow! Mike Gabbard used his newfound power in the Democratic majority to push his anti-gay agenda ("Democrats miffed over opposition by Gabbard," July 26). Who'd have ever seen that coming?

Perhaps instead of reprimanding Gabbard, the Democrats should reprimand their own leadership for welcoming a man who has built his political career on promoting bigotry and misinformation against one of their supposed constituencies.

KARL BUERMEYER | Hau'ula

RETURN OF KOLEA

TO SEE BIRD IS TO REMEMBER KRAUSS

In memory of Bob Krauss!

"Our" kolea returned to our backyard in Hilo today, Aug. 6.

The kolea brings back fond memories of Bob's columns.

Lee Freitas | Hilo, Hawai'i

MAUNA LAHILAHI

CITY'S BEACH CLEANUP APPRECIATED

Mahalo nui! Thank you to the city Department of Parks and Recreation for cleaning up our beloved Mauna Lahilahi Beach Park. Over the last year or so, the park had become infested with drug users and dealers, depriving the rest of the community of using this open space.

The park is now closed at night and being restored, and we want to express our gratitude to DPR for their cleanup efforts. We, the Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club, have adopted this park and will work closely with DPR to keep the park worthy of being part of the gateway to Makaha.

John DeSoto | President, Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club

Emily Auwae | Vice president, Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club

Denise Saylors | Member, Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club

POST OFFICES

DOWNSIZING HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE

Hooray! The U.S. Postal Service is finally wising up! Doing away with Saturday deliveries and closing "money losing" post offices is long overdue.

As a former postal employee on Kaua'i, I long wondered why we kept offices like Kealia, Puhi, Kaumakani and Makaweli open since they consistently lose revenue year after year. Additionally, having two post offices within two miles of each other ('Ele'ele and Hanapepe) makes no economic sense.

Bob Mandap | Mililani