In a push to enforce “vehicular lollygagging” (“Bill would tweak law on slow left-lane drivers,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18), please also enforce its partner, “tailgating.”
So often I’ll be going the speed limit in the left lane, passing the slower traffic on the right, and another driver will be following so close that he could kiss my rear bumper, in effect implying that going the speed limit in the fast lane is not fast enough. He is threatening the safety of everyone by screaming in vehicular language, “Get out of my way!”
So does “traveling more slowly than ‘the normal speed of traffic’” mean that I am “lollygagging” if I am going the speed limit in the left lane?
“The normal speed of traffic” is frequently quite a bit above the speed limits on Oahu. Am I obligated by the “vehicular lollygagging” law to risk getting a speeding ticket so that the guy riding on my back bumper can get where he is going a few seconds sooner?
Dawn Garbeil
Maunawili
Cellphones not why crosswalks dangerous
Legislators want to fine pedestrians for using cellphones while crossing the street (“Committee weighs bill to add pedestrians to cellphone law,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 10).
They have really missed the point. Startling statistics and news accounts make it clear to pedestrians their lives are at stake in Oahu’s crosswalks; they do not need a cellphone fine to remind them.
Perhaps legislators decided to penalize the victims because they can be cited more easily than drivers who have run a red light or are speeding or are just plain inattentive. State Rep. Sharon Har said, “Many drivers don’t watch the crosswalk while driving, increasing the amount of fatalities in the state.” Notice that she points to drivers as the source of the problem, not pedestrians.
The article said, “The statistics are even worse for senior citizens.”
How many senior citizens do you see crossing streets using cell phones? This latest solve-nothing bill only serves to placate the legislators’ consciences; it does not solve the problem.
Kai Nelson
Makiki
Bridge over Ala Wai would benefit many
We are thrilled there could be a pedestrian bridge across the Ala Wai Canal at University Avenue, near so many residential buildings, including ours (“Waikiki board backs foot and bike path spanning Ala Wai,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 14).
Our hope since moving here in 1994 has been for a pedestrian bridge for walkers and bicyclists to get into the heart of Waikiki.
How convenient for so many, especially those, like us, who don’t own cars, and don’t want to walk all the way around the canal. The editorial bemoaning the “frustrating” traffic situation in Waikiki (“Cut back on street events in Waikiki,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Feb. 6), makes it even clearer a pedestrian/bicyclist bridge is needed. It would also provide an additional evacuation route.
We are aware people are against the bridge for various reasons, but the environmental benefits of fewer cars, and the health benefits of walking, surely outweigh such fears.
Joan and Edward King
Moiliili
Show more support for Alzheimer’s bills
The Alzheimer’s Association, Aloha Chapter, has been disappointed in the lack of support for Alzheimer’s-related legislation on the state level.
Although there have been great strides made on federal policy, state policy has lacked any substantial support. This is evidenced by the fact that House Bill 1876, which would require dementia training for staff who work in facilities such as skilled-nursing homes, hospitals and adult foster homes, was recently opposed by the Department of Health and deferred by the House in the current legislative session.
Professionals who work in those settings are not required to have any dementia training, despite the fact that half, if not the majority, of their clients have some form of dementia.
There are two other legislative initiatives related to dementia that are still being heard at this time and we hope to have the support of our community to have these initiatives passed.
Christine Payne
Executive director, Alzheimer’s Association, Aloha Chapter
Pro-business not same as pro-competition
The proponents of City Council Bill 85 to destroy the ride-hailing success story is another reason Hawaii is voted one of the worst states to conduct business.
Rather than promoting free enterprise, elected officials alter the playing field by changing the laws in favor of special interest groups and lobbies. While these officials say they are pro-business, they are more interested in getting votes than in doing what is right.
Passage of this proposed bill would eliminate nearly 3,700 part- and full-time employees from the workforce. My wife and I are devoted Uber users. If the cab companies want to compete, they need to improve their service instead of rely on politicians to do their dirty work.
Richard Smylie
Kailua
FROM THE FORUM
“HPD wants gun owners in FBI database” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 15:
>> What’s next, registering all Hawaii residents in the FBI database, “just in case”?
>> Next the state will want to have a tax on people to vote (a poll tax). Oh, wait, that was already found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court —something about how the government cannot charge people a fee to exercise their constitutional rights.
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“Sinking dead whale lands 2 in hot water” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 15:
>> NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is a fine organization, and in this case, common sense seems the better part of valor. It doesn’t look like anything malicious was done or intended; no harm done, and at least the animal had the comfort of caring and compassionate people in its final hours, and a proper “burial” afterward.
>> NOAA should thank these women and move on.
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“Some at ‘aha cite progress; others see only subterfuge” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 16:
>> When are the media going to learn that people like Bumpy Kanahele and Walter Ritte do not speak for the Hawaiian people? Bumpy is not the king, although he did play one in a movie. He manipulated the state government into giving him land in Waimanalo, and for that he deserves credit, although fooling the state of Hawaii is like taking candy from a baby. And Ritte? He runs for office, withdraws, then shows up three times trying to get into the ‘aha. If that isn’t a confused soul, then I don’t know what is.
>> Hawaiians will never be united as a nation or as a federally recognized entity. They are too divided on all the issues.
>> This article describes only two choices for Hawaiian sovereignty, but in fact there are three. The two options described here are ethnic nationalism and racial separatism. The third option is we remain unified under the single sovereignty of the State of Hawaii, and Hawaii remains unified with the United States.
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“NextEra might pull plug on HEI purchase” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 16:
>> This sounds like a threat from Next-Era, which has been unable to answer questions by the state Public Utilities Commission and the public in general. Red flags go up immediately because it seems it’s not disclosing everything. In that case, why wait till June? Leave now.
>> NextEra has put up with far more abuse than it should have. Then these locals with their short memories can go back to “loving” Hawaiian Electric Co. again. Remember all the love for HECO? Me neither.
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“Legislators drop exemption proposed for new Oahu jail” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 17:
>> I do not understand the need to fast-track this project. Environmental laws are in place for a reason. We have waited decades for a new prison, so what difference will waiting 18 months make?
>> After Superferry and TMT? The governor needs his head examined.
>> All of the permitting, environmental studies and Hawaiian burial studies add costs and time that translate to significantly higher cost.
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“Cellphone restrictions on pedestrians advance” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18:
>> The police have a difficult time enforcing the law that bans the use of cellphones while driving. They certainly will be even less effective managing this additional restriction on cellphone usage. There is only so much you can do to protect the public from itself.
>> There are many laws that are hard to enforce. This is one of them but many will comply simply because it would then be illegal to use cellphones when crossing a street. Hence, enact this law.
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“Bill would tweak law on slow left-lane drivers” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18:
>> I agree that people in the left lane often go too slow, but they are generally going the speed limit.
>> I totally agree. I think they’re jerks but they are not breaking the law.
>> Not breaking the law … yet …which is why they need to pass this bill into law. The left lane is for passing. If you’re not going faster than the traffic in the lane to your right, you’re in the wrong lane and should be fined.
