I still hate traffic.
"I hate traffic" were the first words I wrote when I started this column more than a year ago, and that hasn’t changed.
What I know now is that you all hate traffic, too; it’s a hate we all love to talk about.
This will be the final "Parkway" column, since I’ve decided to take on an exciting and challenging career change into public relations.
There are too many people to thank for helping me with this column, not least of all Wayne Yoshioka, director of the city Department of Transportation Services, Oahu Transit Services General Manager Roger Morton and Dan Meisenzahl, former spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
But the biggest and most interesting contributors have always been you, the reader. Throughout my nine-year career as a journalist, I’ve never felt as close to my readers as I have writing this column.
I asked you for feedback and comments, and you’ve responded in droves. This column would be nothing without being fueled by your road rage.
Oftentimes your traffic complaints were so clever and full of character (read: rage) that I’m sure you’d all love traffic columns of your own. In lieu of that, here are some of my favorite reader comments, with comments of my own attached.
» "Jaywalkers are fair game."
Surely a comment made in jest, but I know the frustration. There are way too many pedestrians darting into busy streets like a real-life game of "Frogger."
» "Many older drivers do not know how to properly merge onto the freeway, often coming to a complete stop at the yield sign."
This came from a 65-year-old reader, proving that many of our kupuna do know the rules of the road.
» "The green light is not green, but teal or blue, and the yellow is now orange. Is there a department that can confirm the change?"
I don’t know if there was any change, but a yellow light by any other color still carries the same message.
» "If you’re in a rush, leave earlier. Don’t make your problem my problem. … My friends and I do tai chi. Learn how to relax!"
I’m envious of your traffic Zen!
Another reader complained about drivers with the right of way who egregiously let other cars into the lanes. This reader dubbed these drivers "aloha volunteers." Great name and I hope it sticks. Driving with aloha does not mean being nice to one or two drivers to the detriment of the motorcade parade behind you.
I could go on, and if you want a traffic column to go on, write in to my editors and ask to bring this column back in one form or another. As for me, I’ll be throwing a shaka back at you all as I travel down a different road.
Oops, here’s my exit.
Reach Gene Park at gpark@staradvertiser.com or Twitter as @GenePark.
