Tort reform for doctors needed

Because of the flood of newly insured due to the Affordable Care Act, next year’s crisis du jour at the Legislature will be how to attract more doctors to Hawaii amid a nationwide doctor shortage. Our problem: Why would anyone move to a location with a high cost of living that pays below average? Why would a doctor move to a state that taxes medical services, and on top of all that targets those who do come with the specter of a predatory legal system?

The present system for handling malpractice claims must be reformed.

For most cases, a commission to handle legitimate claims in a fair and timely manner should be established. Only extraordinary cases should go to trial. All punitive damages should be deposited in the Hawaii Victim Compensation Fund to compensate people with no other way of recovery. Taxing medical services should be stopped.

Mike Mentnech
Keaau, Hawaii island

Bicycle rules misunderstood

In response to a letter concerning bicycling on sidewalks ("Downtown has real bicycle dangers," Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 28), I want to correct a commonly held misconception.

While it is good practice for bicycle riders to dismount when pedestrians are present, there is no ordinance in Honolulu prohibiting bicycles in crosswalks.

There is also a misconception that bicyclists can ride on sidewalks anywhere except downtown and Waikiki. Bicycles cannot be ridden on sidewalks in any area that is zoned commercial.

Laws pertaining to bikes on sidewalks are in two places: Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 291C-148 and Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Section 15-18.7. The law does require bicyclists to give an audible warning prior to passing a pedestrian.

Richard Sullivan
Chairman, Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Bicycling

Include bikes in Ward projects

Your article on the upcoming Ward condominiums and the traffic snarls they’re expected to cause missed an obvious point ("Traffic fears accompany condo plans," Star-Advertiser, June 30). In addition to considering rail, pedestrian-friendly streets, and smart engineering as solutions to alleviate congestion, we should also consider another solution: the bicycle.

As your article states, "60 percent of all jobs in Honolulu are in a 3-mile area between downtown and Waikiki." With Kakaako in the heart of this area, residents can reach their workplaces in less than 15 minutes by bike — even at a relaxed pace. Given the numerous benefits of bicycling (less congestion, safer streets, better health) it behooves the developers, engineers and citizens involved with this project to consider bike infrastructure in their redevelopment plans.

Richard G. Galluzzi
Pacific Heights

Wie’s action sets poor example

Years ago, basktball star Charles Barkley did a Nike commercial. He declared, "I am not a role model."

You can add Michelle Wie to that list. With one hole left to play in the second round of the U.S. Open, she withdrew from the championship, citing illness. She had to come back the next day to complete the round. If she was sick, she should have gutted it out. Finished what she started.

Gary Koch, a Golf Channel announcer, said, "To be honest with you, I think that when you tee off in a tournament, you have an obligation to finish whether you miss the cut or win the tournament."

What kind of message does this send to her fans and young people who look up to her? Her actions say this: It’s OK to quit on yourself. It’s OK to not fulfill your obligations. It’s okay to make millions in endorsements because I’m set for life. I don’t owe anyone an apology.

This is not the message of a role model.

Robert K. Soberano
Moiliili

Developer failed to tell neighbors

John Whalen’s commentary, "Building a tall, slim Aloha Kai tower will benefit YMCA and its neighbors" (Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 30) is misleading. Why did he not identify himself as a paid consultant of the developer?

I was present at the planning commission hearing. Two of the commissioners were very concerned that the nearby property owners had not been notified as required by the land use ordinance.

However, at the end of the hearing they decided that was a "procedural matter" and will send the application on to the City Council.

Aloha Kai did make presentations at the neighborhood board meetings, but none of the owners were aware of the initial presentation. Had it not been for Andrew Gomes’ article in February, none of the adjacent property owners would have been aware of this zone change application ("Developer seeks to rezone YMCA property," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 24).

So much for "community outreach efforts."

The addition of 128 new apartments with two parking stalls each will absolutely add to congestion on Atkinson Drive, regardless of "required improvements." It is beyond me how this project will benefit the neighbors. Quite the contrary.

Lyn Stobie
Ala Moana

Seniors need Central YMCA

I have been a member of the Central YMCA for the past three years.

I am an active senior and still working. I decided to join the Central YMCA because I wanted to be healthy and physically independent; membership fee is affordable; and it is very conveniently located.

We do need the YMCA in its location for all the members and children who live in the area, or visitors from all over the world who know the YMCA is the place to exercise without any prejudice. The Central YMCA is in the perfect location for all.

I believe the permission to build a taller and slim building will make better use of the space, allow for more landscaping and will look nice and better than a short, wide and bulkier building.

Please continue to move forward on this project. The old Central YMCA needs to be replaced in the brand-new building.

Tomoe Nitta
Waikiki

Not all hospitals equally safe

Your article, "Hospital infections ‘considerably’ low for local patients" (Star-Advertiser, June 30) suggests all local hospitals are equally safe.

The April/May edition of AARP The Magazine published a study based on data from Medicare and the American Hospital Association that evaluates 26 measures of safety, including hospital-acquired infections, blood clots, pressure ulcers and medication and surgical errors and other in-hospital complications.

Of the 100 safest hospitals in the country, two are here in Hawaii — Kaiser Permanente and Queen’s. That puts them in the company of Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Stanford.

Nobody wants to be in the hospital, but now you know the best choices.

Cynthia Burdge
Kailua