Biker helmet law violates freedom

I disagree with the opinion to require bikers to wear helmets (“Require bikers to wear helmets,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 10).

As a previous motorcyclist, I wore a helmet and would always recommend the same. However, requiring individuals to wear anything is way too “big government” for me.

Frankly, we have too many requirements and prohibitive laws already. It is an individual choice and should remain so.

Far too many people, particularly government officials, forget who pays the bills and government salaries. If someone wants to ride without a helmet and take the risks, then by all means go for it. To prohibit individual freedoms is far too invasive. You may as well prevent skydiving, skiing and surfing. Someone might get injured participating in these activities.

Make it easier for Chinese to visit

What will it take to save our Spam in Hawaii? Legal gambling? Pakalolo at a supermarket?

I say we look where the money is now — the People’s Republic of China.

By the millions, upwardly mobile Chinese could have a wonderful time in Hawaii, and pay to do so.

But being “evil communist” types, they are not welcome.

South Koreans and Japanese just hop a plane and find a room when they arrive.

The Chinese (and their Taiwanese cousins), must meet “requirements” first: a maze of forms, costs, lines, interviews. You must slog through Cold War suspicions if you want to come to Hawaii. Is this aloha spirit or madness?

The magic bullet for Hawaii is a big change in our thinking about China.

Coconut trees on Nimitz is nutty

There was an interesting item in the “Off the News” section (“Coconuts on the highway,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 12).

The last sentence tells the true story: “The need for long-term maintenance of the trees will eventually hit us.”

This quick fix to make Nimitz Highway beautiful for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference just shows the stupidity of such decisions.

Although it may not have been as pretty for now, planting a different type of tree along the roadway that provides shade when grown and less need to maintain would have been a better solution.

Of course, maybe the underlying reason is job security, since there will be lots of maintenance and possibly lawsuits should a coconut fall onto a moving vehicle.

TV show teaches bad driver habits

Like many residents, I do enjoy watching “Hawaii Five-0” and doing the “Oh, look, there’s such-and-such a place.” But why must Steve McGarrett, even in the middle of a car chase up the twisty coast road to Waimanalo, always turn his eyes off the road and look at Danno in order to have a conversation?

TV and Hollywood seem quite unable to grasp the idea that it is quite possible to have a conversation without gazing for long periods at one’s passenger.

If you or I did that, an accident would be almost inevitable, yet show after show features this head-turning bit. Not exactly a good example to the young drivers who will think this is quite normal.

Civil Defense will miss Ed Teixeira

When Ed Teixeira ran the state Civil Defense for Hawaii, we were in the hands of a person whose priority was to put the safety of the people of this state first.

Feeling his confidence and hearing his distinctive voice makes his sudden departure unsettling.

Whether we can regain this confidence again remains to be seen.