Democrats should adhere to platform

Vandal politicians beware: Here is an attempt to reinstate the living principles that made the Democratic Party the major force in Hawaii’s social and economic success:

Platform: "We must protect and preserve Hawaii’s environment … the preservation and restoration of our natural environment is essential."

Yet the Public Land Development Corp. and proposed laws allow ceded lands to be privately developed and exempted from zoning and environmental laws that are decades old.

Platform: "Agriculture in our state must be preserved and strengthened … and prime agriculture lands must be maintained."

However, the Koa Ridge and Ho‘opili developments aremonstrous contradictions, proposing thousands of homes be built on the prime remaining ag lands on Oahu.

Be it resolved: The Democratic Party of Hawaii supports and honors its Platform and the wisdom expressed in this document by vigorously resisting attempts to undermine, circumvent, dilute, eliminate andneuter the land-use philosophy of the Democratic Party Platform of Hawaii.

Moanike‘ala Akaka
Hilo

Oahu should follow Paris in bike policy

While bicyclists are eagerly awaiting the green light for the proposed bike lane along Waialae Avenue, we motorists remain wary.

Why?

Bicyclists who run red lights and stop signs, or use crosswalks to get around them. Riders who choose slippers, shorts and no helmets over protective gear.

Cyclists with no lights at night. One-handed balance experts carrying groceries, packages, pets and surfboards with their "free" hand. Even riders texting, phoning and smoking while on the road.

In Paris, low concrete barriers separate cars from bikes. Until that happens in Hawaii, road safety for both bicyclists and motorists — hardly perfect drivers themselves — will depend on common sense and everyone yielding to the rules of the road.

Joyce Torrey
St. Louis Heights

Drivers here need to be more aware

I find it simply amazing that we, as a state, find it necessary to pass a law requiring autos to "move over." Common sense should tell you to move over when encountering a potential hazard.

Unfortunately, I see it every day. Too many people driving in their cars oblivious to the surroundings and road conditions. Many times I have seen people moving into the far right lane, oblivious to the fact that a car is merging onto the freeway from an on-ramp.

We need to drive with a sense of awareness, being proactive to any potential hazard, giving way by moving over to a slower lane.

Driving with aloha means being considerate of your fellow driver and assisting in making all of our traffic operate more efficiently by using your blinker, driving in the proper lane, yielding to traffic with the right of way, carpooling, looking out for pedestrians, cyclists, keiki, seniors, and, yes, even moving over when the need arises.

David Peterson
Kapolei

Aloha, koleas, until you next come back

When Susan Scott wrote of the impending kolea departures this week, I paid attention ("Take note of visiting kolea before they fly back home," Star-Advertiser, Ocean Watch, April 23).

Susan wrote: "Because plovers head north in flocks each year on or near April 25, it’s time to say goodbye and good luck. I know thousands of Hawaii residents will join me in feeling a little lonely after the kolea have gone."

It seems that our resident kolea left today, perhaps a bit early in light of leap year. His coat was gorgeous and he was very present — with us and pets — in his final days here.

Susan’s mention of the kolea reminded me of the wonderful columns by The Honolulu Advertiser’s Bob Krauss, who wrote of the koleas’ patterns — a read we still miss. It is great to have intelligent and artful nature writing as it keeps us aware of the beauty around us.

Susan Redpath
Kailua

Plastic bag ban was painless on Maui

I have followed with amusement the attempt to implement a plastic bag ban on Oahu.

I have never heard so much wailing and agonizing about this piece of legislation, and I must say that I am amazed that Oahu is the last instead of the first to implement such a ban.

I was living on Maui when it put its plastic bag ban in place and was amazed at how painless it was.

Grocery stores were affected hard, but they seemed to overcome and now it is practically normal to go shopping with your reusable bags or the use of paper bags from the store.

Most of the supermarkets, if not all, give customers a 5-cent credit for each reusable bag they bring in and the ban has really been accepted over there.

It is really painless.

Jack Eades
Ewa Beach

Pterygia don’t grow on retina

Nancy Arcayna is to be congratulated for emphasizing eye protection from the sun ("Preventative measures," Star-Advertiser, April 24).

As ophthalmologists practicing in Hawaii, we often see pterygia, growths on the surface of the eye, not on the retina as mentioned in the article.

When I surf, I use protective sunglasses (with a strap) to help prevent pterygia and cataracts, as well as external injury.

Wearing any type of contact lens that absorbs UV light might help prevent damage inside the eye, but would not prevent growths on the surface because these do not cover the conjunctiva, or white part of the eye.

Pterygia are best prevented by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.

Malcolm R. Ing
John A. Burns School of Medicine