TOO MANY CITATIONS? DON'T BREAK THE LAW

To the Chinatown residents who complained about the drug and crime problems in Chinatown: The police department alleviated the situation. You asked for added police protection and you got it. Now some of you are complaining about too many citations being issued.

Here's a simple solution: Don't break the law! Learn how to park between the lines, feed the meters, wear seat belts, don't jaywalk — and all the rest! What you're asking is "just get rid of the bad guys" but give a wink and a smile to those of you who are "just a little bit bad." It don't work that way, folks. If you talk the talk, then walk the walk!

Jimmy Borges | Former police commissioner

TRUCK CRASHES

HIGHWAY PATROL, SPEED LIMITS NEEDED

In light of the most recent big rig flip and crash, I implore the state to post truck speed limits of 55 mph for West O'ahu freeways and permanently assign unmarked police vehicles for highway patrol and enforcement.

I frequently drive the freeway between Honolulu and Kapolei and I regularly witness speeding 15 to 20 mph above the speed limit by tractor-trailers; yellow, green and red refuse trucks; and commercial trucks pulling trailers. And going toward Sand Island I often refer to that road as the Sand Island Speedway because many big trucks are going 45 mph when the posted truck speed limit is 25 mph.

Please bring back the Talivan and patrol often. Everyone will win from the increased public safety.

Von Kaneshiro | Honolulu

REEF, WARSHIP

WHERE'S CONCERN FOR OTHER DAMAGE?

Please tell us all why all this concern, risk to life and money are being expended to salvage a few feet of reef damaged by one of our warships when there was no effort to repair any of the miles and miles of reef around Kaua'i and O'ahu destroyed by Hurricane Iniki?

Then you can explain why we're doing nothing to prevent or salvage all the routine damage that occurs to our reefs by rolling boulders on the bottom of the sea when big storms and surf occur. More environmental extremism or just ripping off the military?

Gerald Wright | Pahoa, Hawai'i

CIVIL UNIONS

THANKS TO SENATORS WHO STOOD GROUND

I would like to thank the brave and principled senators who were courageous enough to stand their ground against the onslaught of social pressure and to correctly represent the constituents who elected them by killing the civil unions bill.

Mr. Calistro, in his letter to the editor (May 14), states that due to "history and current trends," this victory for the opposers of House Bill 444 may be short-lived. I sadly agree, but this is not a good thing, as he implies. I'm not sure what "history" he is referring to because this whole issue of total acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle by legalizing same-sex marriage or civil unions is unprecedented in modern history.

Sadly enough, the only history he could be referring to would be that of the Roman era, which is nothing to be proud of.

Those who have no deep moral roots will continue to be blown this way and that by the fickle winds of social trends. Thank you to the senators who were not swayed and who see through the propaganda.

John Bishop | Kailua

KAWAIAHA'O

CHURCH PONO IN RELOCATING REMAINS

I want to register my confidence in the leadership of Kawaiaha'o Church in their capital improvement program now in progress on their campus. I hope the Department of Health will quickly approve their actions and allow the project to proceed with the building of that much-needed community service facility.

Your recent article did not mention the painstaking efforts the leaders — Frank Pestana and Don Caindec and others — have taken over several years now to contact each and every family that might have had kupuna buried in this church's cemetery. With the exacting accuracy of their consultant, Dawn Naomi Chang of Ku'iwalu, and her use of modern technology to locate and record many of the burials, the chance of unearthing unknown remains was greatly reduced.

The church has demonstrated care, respect and compassion for the relocation of interned remains and that gives me the confidence that they can do it right. The leaders have the na'au pono and the guidance of the 'Uhane Hemolele to accomplish the task. They can act as good models for other Hawaiian churches that have plans to improve their cemetery facilities in the future.

Jack Keppeler | Honolulu

WATER CONSERVATION

STEWARDSHIP REQUIRES HELP FROM EVERYONE

I'd like to thank Mr. Kendrick Lee for his letter (May 11) regarding water conservation. We certainly share his concerns about ensuring that water remains a sustainable resource now and in the future.

While there is no water shortage on O'ahu, as he noted, we are entering the hot summer months when water consumption typically rises. As such, the Board of Water Supply is asking all O'ahu residents to be vigilant and use the water you need but don't waste it.

As stewards of O'ahu's most precious natural resource, we take seriously our responsibility to preserve and protect the water supply.

Therefore, our management of the municipal water system includes regularly monitoring the levels of our water sources, and the evaluation of viable opportunities for alternate water sources such as water reclamation and desalination. The BWS currently operates the Honouliuli water-recycling facility, which helps to recycle treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.

Additionally,the BWS has secured a location in 'Ewa to build a desalination facility should the need arise.

My hope is that everyone will commit to making simple, everyday changes so that we can ensure that we have water for today and tomorrow.

Wayne M. Hashiro, P.E. | Manager and chief engineer, Honolulu Board of Water Supply