NRA’s opposition to bill plainly wrong

It’s a bit disturbing, but of course not surprising, that the National Rifle Association would oppose any Hawaii gun legislation (“Bill would strip Hawaii gun owners of 2nd Amendment rights,” Star-Advertiser, Commentary, March 7).

The bill it opposes, Senate Bill 898, would allow police to confiscate weapons from suspects believed to be a danger to themselves or society. Taking away guns from those who display actions that could lead them to harm themselves and/or others seems like Public Safety 101. I gladly support this bill.

The NRA believes the bill is too vague, infringes on rights, is “unacceptable and just plain wrong.”

Remember, the NRA’s entire existence depends on relentlessly claiming that arming more citizens, mentally ill included, is the way to create a safer society. Yet tragedy after tragedy, and study after study, proves that is just plain wrong.

Kim Osborn Mullen

Kailua

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Enforcement cams for pedestrians, too?

Vehicular traffic is only part of the problem at intersections. Pedestrians and bicyclists also are problematic. When technology and the ability to identify and hold accountable pedestrians and bicyclists who enter the crosswalk illegally, then and only then should red-light cameras be installed at intersections.

Wesley Wilhelm

Mililani

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Crosswalks need control devices

The recent traffic death of Jui-Ching Hu crossing Mahukona Street brought to mind the danger of crossing streets at crosswalks without traffic control devices (“Disbelief turns to pain after wife’s death,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 26).

I am a big advocate of crossing streets at crosswalks where there is the safety of traffic lights and stop signs.

However, crossing at a crosswalk without a traffic control device gives pedestrians a false sense of security.

Humans are creatures of habit. Vehicle operators are accustomed to stopping at red lights and stop signs. Most times there are no pedestrians in most crosswalks without traffic control devices, so vehicle operators are accustomed to driving through.

All crosswalks should have traffic control devices or be eliminated. It is safer to look both ways to be sure there are no vehicles coming before crossing than to rely on a vehicle to stop in a crosswalk without a traffic control device.

Kenneth Fehling

Waikiki

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Tax return stance puts party first

State Rep. Gene Ward expressed his concern that any Hawaii law requiring certain candidates to release their tax returns might gain wide attention and incur the wrath of our current president and his administration, with significant repercussions for Hawaii (“2 state bills would compel candidates to air tax data,” Star-Advertiser, March 6).

I respect Ward’s right to assert his opinion, but in doing so on this issue and in this manner, he is clearly stating that he himself fears that our president does not respect that right and is capable of doling out retribution to those not willing to blindly follow his every whim and tweet.

Ward’s statement on this issue is but one example of many in politics who remain far more committed to party than country, to ideology over fairness. We can do better and we should expect more from our representatives.

Daniel Smith

Hawaii Kai

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Domestic violence training needed

The column, “Domestic violence bill has traces of sexism,” is an inapt response to a serious issue (Star-Advertiser, Lee Cataluna, March 8).

Domestic violence issues are multilayered and convoluted; this column misses the intent and valid data behind the bill. To dismiss Senate Bill 518 as a dated response does a disservice to survivors as well as the professionalism of cosmetologists.

With 1 in 3 women experiencing intimate partner violence — but only about 20 percent seeking medical care and about 25 percent reporting to the police — it is important for many sectors to be trained on recognizing domestic violence and referring to appropriate support services.

Experts in domestic violence provide training to a variety of communities for this very reason — many survivors turn to community leaders, pastors, health care providers and others. SB 518 is part of a larger movement to provide a diverse array of professionals with the training they need to appropriately identify and support victims of domestic violence.

Janelle Oishi

Managing director, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

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Bicyclists benefit from pothole repairs

Bob Vieira criticizes the city for improving conditions for cyclists while, supposedly, neglecting the existing potholes and bumps on many of our streets (“Fix roads before adding bike lanes,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 18).

He needs to realize that Honolulu would be a better place for both car drivers and cyclists with smoother, better-maintained streets. Bicyclists appreciate smooth, well-maintained streets even more than motorists. We can work on filling the potholes and providing better facilities for cyclists — they are not mutually exclusive.

As a cyclist, I commend Mayor Kirk Caldwell for the recently opened McCully bike lane, which has actually improved traffic flow and mitigated dangerous parking situations. Even though parking spaces were lost, the neighborhood board still endorsed the project.

This is a small part of Caldwell’s vision of Honolulu as a more livable pedestrian, cyclist and public transit-friendly city. Does anyone really want our streets clogged with more cars?

Think of every cyclists as one less car. Let’s make Honolulu into the Copenhagen of the Pacific.

Frank W. Smith

Downtown Honolulu