Uninsured motorists break law, clog roads

I am writing in favor of House Bill 1351. It would decrease traffic and get uninsured motorists off the roads.

Some people say that the bill is unfair because not everyone can afford insurance. I bet those same people spend more money on beer and weekend barbecues than they do on car insurance.

HB 1351 would not only reduce the number of drivers with no financial responsibility on the road, but also reduce traffic.

Our roads, financed by our taxes, should be used by only law-abiding, responsible citizens.

Li Cobian
Pauoa Valley

Rail backers counting chickens too early

In response to those excited about being given the green light to proceed with the rail project, a word of caution: The age-old adage of "counting your chickens before they hatch" comes to mind.

All too often people and governments find themselves in too deep financially because they see fit to spend money they just don’t have. If not used wisely, credit will destroy any person, persons or governments. We only need to look to Europe or as close as California.

I fear the rush to start is just a preemptive move to get the project going so those that are fighting against it will have a tougher time.

Michael Turman
Wahiawa

Don’t forget to save bone marrow center

I am writing in response to the article, "Transplant facility bill wins quick approval" (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 4).

It is wonderful that the solid organ transplant has been saved, but what about bone marrow transplant program? There are several patients who have been approved for bone marrow transplants in Hawaii and will now have to travel to the mainland to receive this service. They will have to leave family and friends at an extremely stressful, possibly life-threatening, time in their lives, not to mention the expenses. It doesn’t make any sense that the Legislature and the largest health care system in Hawaii are not taking responsibility for keeping open this program, as they have other programs at risk with the closing of Hawaii Medical Center.

I am an oncology nurse practitioner who works with bone marrow transplant patients. I have also worked with these patients on the mainland, so I understand on many levels why it is imperative that we keep our BMT program in Hawaii alive. I saw a patient in clinic yesterday who is refusing to go to the mainland for this service because she does not want to leave her family.

I hope Senate Bill 2958 and House Bill 1952 are taken seriously; many patients’ lives depend on it.

Christa Braun-Inglis
Palolo Valley

State will not leave small farm out to dry

A recent Island Voices column ("Hawaii needs locally designed food safety program," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 1) expressed a growing apprehension that new food safety regulations were poised to harm small farms.

The recent passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) by Congress has germinated fears that overzealous food safety regulations and expensive sanitary controls could leave the little guys out to dry. The Abercrombie administration won’t let that happen.

The state Department of Health will administer the federal FSMA program when the Food and Drug Administration issues rules. These rules will likely exempt small farmers from anything more than registering their farms and keeping records of their crop sales.

Larger farms could be required to keep more detailed records and will be inspected to assure that proper sanitary facilities, like hand-washing sinks, are provided for farm workers.

Both the state departments of Health and Agriculture are keenly aware that the majority of farms in Hawaii are small, and we will protect our farmers from unwarranted and excessive regulation. We want our islands to grow more of what we eat and rely less on imported food.

During this legislative session, no new farm safety laws or rules are needed to further our food sustainability goals. States will have at least two years to develop our food safety programs once the FDA adopts its FSMA rules.

Gary Gill
Deputy director for environmental health, state Health Department

Something is wrong with electricity picture

First, I fainted when I received the electric bill.

Then, while watching TV, I was interrupted by Hawaiian Electric Co.’s explanation that it isn’t its fault. The advertisement said we should turn off our appliances and go solar, wind or geothermal.

Monday’s paper says HECO might be raising its rates again because so many people are going solar.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Suzanne Ramos
Downtown Honolulu

Student achievement related to leadership

Having taught high school English in both public and private schools in Hawaii, I am aware of the stark inequalities in student motivation, student behavior, facilities, supplies and parental support.

All the more reason why public education must recruit, train, support and retain first-rate teachers and principals to meet these challenges.

I salute the many dedicated and effective teachers in the Hawaii State Teachers Association who are serving our children. And I trust they will vote to adopt a fair and rigorous program of performance evaluations. We must face the fact that many well-meaning but ineffective teachers must be let go to find work better suited to their abilities.

To restate the obvious: Student achievement is a direct consequence of administrative leadership and high-quality instruction.

William Metzger
Manoa

Teachers don’t get paid equal to skills

In response to Earl Batteen’s comment about teachers trying to bankrupt the state ("Paying teachers more not solution," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 28): Yes, teachers should think they are better than the average public worker since teachers are required to have five years of college in preparation for teaching. As a result, teachers should consider themselves professionals, as do doctors, attorneys and others.

Yes, of course teachers should be accountable for their students’ progress, but only if they have students who have the ability needed to grasp the concepts of that grade level — in other words, are not trying to function with limited English skills or other problems that prevent or limit learning.

Generally, teachers have no input into which students are placed in their classrooms.

Earl Batteen’s comment about teachers trying to bankrupt the state is ridiculous if you look at how underpaid they are.

Sara VanDerWerff
Kailua

Expand bus service to serve school needs

The state and city can combine their efforts to both enhance the city bus system and reduce school bus costs.

The state should pay the city to expand city bus routes to include stops near all public schools, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon on school days.

This might mean buying additional buses for the city and hiring more drivers, but there would not be a need to have special buses just for schools.

Students should have lower prices for daily rides and bus passes, which may only be used during school hours and days. Lower-income families may be subsidized.

Russel Noguchi
Pearl City

FROM THE FORUM

"State is expected to put up defense of civil unions law," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 7:

» Gov.Neil Abercrombie is making a huge and costly mistake. Defending against same-sex marriage rights (aka marriage equality for all) is a lost cause that will cost taxpayers. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has today ruled that California’s Prop 8 banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and thus any Hawaii ruling must follow the 9th Circuit’s precedence. Article I Section 23 of the Hawaii State Constitution ("The legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples") will also be struck down as unconstitutional.

» The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned more decisions made by the 9th than any other appellate court.

» These activists are getting ahead of themselves. They’ve already won a victory with the civil unions law and should be happy with that. Give it a few years, and the public will get used to the idea of civil union couples as part of society. At that point they can push for marriage and it’ll be much easier for people to accept. This combative approach only turns people off and isn’t good for their cause, never mind that it’s wasting our tax money.

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"Honolulu given go-ahead to begin heavy construction on rail," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 7:

» Finally! Rail is moving forward. This is what the people of Honolulu voted for. And they’re finally getting their wish.

» And so will begin the construction of the most expensive monument to concrete, blight, fiscal irresponsibility, waste and insane spending ever witnessed in Hawaii.

» Some of us have waited 40 years for rail, since Mayor Frank Fasi first proposed it as the Honolulu Area Rapid Transit project, just about the same time BART was getting underway in San Francisco. If we had started it back then, we would be arguing about the next extension — should it be Mililani or Hawaii Kai, or out to Waianae — not whether it’s a good idea or not.

» Read it carefully, everyone. The federal government has given the OK for the city to proceed with building the rail system, but does not obligate the federal government to help pay for that construction. The caution flag is being waved. It is telling the city it is OK to proceed with construction and that the taxpayers of Honolulu may be on the hook to pay the entire cost of the project. It will be interesting to see how the mayor and HART officials spin this one.

» The full funding grant agreement will be delivered before the election. The Federal Transit Administration has never given a project the green light and not come through with the federal funds . . . ever. Relax. It’s a done deal.

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"Rate increase blamed on sun power,"Star-Advertiser, Feb. 6:

» Well, the "good will" aspect of Hawaiian Electric’s support for renewable energy didn’t last long, did it? Good thing HECO has Jade Moon to run interference for it in paid television commercials.

» Jade Moon and Robbie Alm are not amused. Your power will be cut. For the keiki. For the future generations. Oh yeah, and for the shareholders who require maximum dividends from the monopoly.

» Unfortunately, Hawaiian Electric Co. cannot pass on the cost to themselves as the unions involved will not agree to any pay cuts.

» I don’t see why this surprises anyone. Our "energy policy" at both the state and national levels is to dramatically drive up the cost of conventional, proven and abundant fuels and technologies. Photovoltaic panels are a wise investment only if their long term cost per kilowatt hour is comparable to what we already see. Since that does not yet reflect reality, the solution is to increase current rates.

» HECO has pleaded with the public to reduce the consumption of electricity for many years. It has offered substantial rebates for consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances and even solar water heating systems. So why is HECO now trying to penalize those who are trying to follow its push to reduce energy consumption? HECO needs to be investigated by state and federal regulators. It is a monopoly that should be broken up..

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"Mayor told to repay wife’s trip costs,"Star-Advertiser, Feb.10:

» Just because President Barack Obama takes his whole family on trips, vacations, junkets, etc., at taxpayers’ expense, is no reason for all politicians to do it.

» The mayor is getting shafted here. The Chinese and Taiwanese governments paid for his wife to make the trip — end of story. If I was the mayor, I would tell the city, "See you in court." The intent of the gift to the city by the Chinese was quite clear. The monies were to be spent for the mayor’s wife’s trip to China. If the money is not going to be spent for that, then the city should return the money to China.

» Even if China and Taiwan paid for the trip, Peter Carlisle should have refused their kind offer because it just doesn’t look good.