Distracted driving law can be fixed

A recent editorial highlighted several concerns regarding the implementation of Act 74, which established a statewide law prohibiting the use of any mobile electronic device while driving (“Simplify fine for distracted driving,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 5).

During the interim, the deficiencies of the law, some of which were underlined in the editorial, were brought to my attention as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs. To address these issues, I have drafted a bill for the 2014 regular session that will eliminate the need for court appearances as well as remedy other shortcomings found in the law.

To ensure that all individuals have ample time to prepare their testimonies and be part of the legislative process, I have made information on the draft available online, at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=english&year=2013. I look forward to greater discussion as this and other matters as we move forward.

Sen. J. Kalani English
D, East Maui, Upcountry, Molokai, Lanai

Obama didn’t really lie about health law

Reports that insurance companies are cancelling policies because they don’t meet the minimum coverage required by the Affordable Care Act have ignited a political uproar.

Republicans accused President Barack Obama of deception in reference to his promise that, “If you like your health care plan, you can keep it.”

What the president said is consistent with the grandfather clause that allows the retention of policies in effect prior to the passage of the ACA as long as insurers don’t change the coverage.

The issue is not the 80 percent of Americans who got their health insurance from either their employers or federal programs, but the millions of Americans who bought insurance with substandard coverage from individual market. These are the policies that insurers are canceling. But because of the ACA, they now can buy health plans with better coverage through the insurance exchanges at affordable rates.

The uproar was just another effort by the Republicans to dismantle ACA and demonize the president.

Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani

Ramey’s columns are great addition

Thank you for adding additional parenting columns and cutting John Rosemond back to twice a month. His advice is often so contradictory to what we now know is best practice.

Having a professional offer advice about divorce and family issues is a great addition. Having Gregory Ramey’s more positive take on parenting is a great counterpoint to Rosemond’s negative approach.

Kathy Bentley
Kaneohe

Ma’afala entitled to offer his opinion

Tenari Ma’afala is entitled to speak as a private citizen against same-sex marriage. Any “judgment” of his performance as head of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and as a police officer should be measured by how his actions reflect the HPD motto, not by his religious beliefs.

Rhoda Hirokawa
Pearl City

Same-sex advocates will remember, too

The Star-Advertiser quoted Frank Kauhi as saying, “It’s a shame that they think they will be doing the right thing, but I think it’s sinful” (“State House approves same-sex marriage bill,” Star-Advertiser, Breaking News, Nov. 8).

Kauhi was holding a sign that said “Remember next November,” a reference to the 2014 elections.

I strongly disagree with Kauhi. I wonder how he, and others who oppose allowing same-sex marriage in Hawaii, seem to forget that the laws of this country and Hawaii are not based on religion, and guarantee every citizen the same rights as others.

I will remember come November as well. I will remember the legislators who chose equality for all of Hawaii’s citizens.

Dianna St. Onge
Kapahulu

Politicians ignoring same-sex opponents 

The Rev. Elizabeth Zivanov talks about rights not being decided by voters, so obviously she doesn’t know that in our system, majority rules (“Marriage equality evokes much vitirol,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 5).

I, for one, am tired of the minority trying to shove their lifestyles down my throat, and will never again vote for anyone supporting the gay marriage bill, which has already been voted down by the public.

Our politicians need to listen to the people who elected them into office or resign now. There’s no two ways about it.

Glenn Hazama
Pearl City

Not all Hawaiians oppose Senate Bill 1

Not all Hawaiians are against Senate Bill 1.

Hawaiian baby boomers, young and old, need to stop waving the Hawaiian flag, Ka Hae Hawaii, at the Iolani Palace grounds or even at the Capitol and stating that all Hawaiians believe in marriage only for one man and one woman.

Our alii, our people and throughout history, Hawaiians had polygamous relationships. A gay person (mahu) was known in every family. Acts of aikane, po‘olua and punalua were accepted by Hawaiians prior to the arrival of Western people.

Christians came in and slammed Bibles in our faces and indoctrinated our people to become like them, speaking one language and banning the Hawaiian language.

Well, times have changed. It’s 2013, not 1913. Same-sex marriages will be established. May the people who support SB1 prevail.

Kalani Pe‘a
Kihei, Maui