Crosswalks need better light systems

I am saddened and angered over the preventable death of the pedestrian on Kapahulu Avenue earlier this month.

I blame the city for installing so many crosswalks that span multi-lane roads, with no warning lights to stop traffic.

An otherwise undistracted driver could easily collide with a pedestrian, because they are focusing on the road to their front, and may not see a pedestrian with clothing that blends in with the surroundings.

Also, if a car stops in one of the lanes, a vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane may not realize why the first car stopped, until the pedestrian steps into their lane, and a collision is inevitable.

The city needs to install light systems that offer flashing lights on the roadway, as well as above the roadway (a perfect example is at Schofield Barracks). Until then, every pedestrian crossing multiple lanes is taking his life into his hands.

Quincy Kelly
Mililani

We must do more for nursing students

More scholarships and financial aid must be made available to the nursing students at Hawaii Pacific University ("Tuition rise puts nursing students in bind," Star-Advertiser, April 12).

People must be made more aware of the nursing shortage throughout the United States.

Corporate America should donate scholarships and be a part of this vital endeavor. We will always need educated and caring nurses, and we all need to help them get the required educational training.

Sue McCormack
Carmel, N.Y.

Will HPU expansion affect cruise ships?

From San Francisco to Sydney to Singapore and beyond, waterfront districts are the showcase of many great cities across the globe.

Lee Catterall’s article gave insight to the future of Honolulu’s own landmark waterfront — the Aloha Tower Marketplace ("Aloha, HPU," Star-Advertiser, Insight, April 14). The vision is creative and a definite contrast to the vibrant plans of the ’80s. Replacing vacant shops with dorm room beds, turning a maritime museum into a faculty lounge is definitely creative. But I would like to have learned about the future of our cruise ship business at Aloha Tower.

How well will students mix with more than 2,000 passengers walking off the gangway on port days? Or will the ships be moved away from the historic complex altogether? And what about access to Aloha Tower itself?

The article did not discuss the future of our cruise ship visitors nor mention the boundaries of the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Exactly where will the gangway go? Into the new gymnasium?

Curtis Chee
Diamond Head

Education can help counter N. Korea

Thank you for printing U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s commentary on North Korea ("Time to change strategy against North Korea," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, April 14).

She makes a strong case for increased military spending, but there are many ways to deter threats from Pyongyang.

A less costly and perhaps more effective way would be to increase spending on diplomatic and educational efforts to solve the problem before it becomes a conflagration. Title VI international education grants that support student scholarships and faculty research, the Fulbright-Hays programs, and our own beloved East-West Center could all benefit greatly from increased funding at a tenth of the cost of missiles ($9.16 billion). I ask Rep. Gabbard to show equal commitment to these programs.

Edward J. Shultz
Dean, School of Pacific and Asian Studies University of Hawaii at Manoa

Poor infrastructure is Hawaii’s negative

I just returned from Tokyo where there were many negatives.

There were no potholes, graffiti or homeless people. Public restrooms were not filthy. Automobile traffic was not gridlocked. There was no litter. There wasn’t a problem keeping their beautiful public parks well maintained and clean. Many negatives!

One makes comparisons upon returning home. We taxpayers aren’t getting our money’s worth when it comes to maintaining our basic infrastructure.

Typical reactions tothat statement might be: "We don’t have the budget," "Apples and oranges," or the always popular "Cultural differences."

Our politicians and bureaucrats have been using these excuses for poor performance for years as our infrastructure continues to crumble.

Taxpayers have the right to expect that our infrastructure will be maintained competently, but that is simply not happening.

The politicians and bureaucrats responsible need to be held accountable, and there needs to be a mechanism to address their failings.

Kent W. Comstock
Kailua

Allegation about vote a misstatement

As an elected member of the Koolauloa Neighborhood Board, I was stunned to read fellow member Kent Fonoimoana’s letter regarding his proposal to place certain limitations on wind turbines in our part of the island ("Wind turbine buffer needs to be wider," Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 15).

He wrote that the board did not allow for public comment, an apparent violation of the Sunshine Law.

He failed to mention that it was his supporters who, almost to a man, stated that public input was not allowed on this kind of resolution. Only one person in the opposition asked that public input be withheld, and she was acting based on misinformation. The minutes and the Olelo broadcast will clearly show that I based my opposition on the very fact that the public had not been permitted to speak on this issue.

Two others voted to abstain, as there was an incredible amount of confusion as to what additions and deletions were being proposed to his resolution.

The public needs to know the truth, not Fonoimoana’s biased interpretation of the facts.

Michael Sudlow
Hauula