Pedestrians don’t deserve to die

Another elderly pedestrian is killed. The latest proposed solution I have heard is to make that particular crosswalk "safer."

No crosswalk will be safer, no elderly pedestrian will be safer, until driver attitudes change.

My first driving lesson was that my top priority wassafety; all my attention should be on driving with an awareness of my surroundings at all times.

In the short time I have been here, I have found myself at risk a number of times from inattentive drivers; drivers who in turning right on red look for traffic to the left but not for pedestrians to the right; drivers rushing through an intersection against the light, intent on oncoming or cross traffic but not on pedestrians; drivers glancing from their smart phones to the car ahead but missing the pedestrian to the side.

Being an elderly pedestrian should not be a capital offense.

Stephen Dillon
Wahiawa

Windward side has good representation

The Windward side has exceptional public servants in the state Senate and House of Representatives and on the City Council.

At a recent town meeting in Kailua, these four demonstrated valuable cooperation with each other, encouragement for resident participation in government, a willingness to listen to everyone and knowledge to explain important issues.Their enthusiasm and competence inspire.

Mahalo to state Sen. Laura Thielen, state Reps. Cynthia Thielen and Chris Lee, and Councilman Ikaika Anderson. We are so lucky to have you.

Judy Mick and Nancy Liedke
Kailua

If there is a surplus, then cut our taxes

With great fanfare, Gov. Neil Abercrombie is touting that the state coffers have an $844 million surplus in tax revenue from last year.

The large sum obviously means we as taxpayers were overtaxed. What a surprise!

That being the case, why then is anyone in the Legislature proposing any tax increase, or raising any permit fees, or offering any other revenue enhancement proposal?

The Legislature should be looking for areas to cut taxes rather than looking for more.

Jim Slavish
Kailua

Politicians can’t seem to stop taxing

Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants a $10 monthly fee for our trash pickup. We sure don’t need another tax hike. Electricity, water, etc., are so high already.

When the elections come around again, people will be so disgusted they may not vote any more. Before getting elected, politicians say so many lies, like they are not going to raise taxes. When they get elected, it’s another story.

What a shame. I won’t forget.

Marietta Mattoon
Liliha

Don’t put a condo on every empty site

I applaud the "Where has my paradise gone?" sentiment.

I also feel this way. Every beautiful patch of grass needs a condo lately.

No more small shops, no more Denny’s; Waikiki has become a New York City with palm trees.

The greedy builders on this island have taken away my gentle place. Had I wanted New York City, I would have stayed there.

The mass condo buildings block familiar views and the exhaust from a million buses and trucks choke all who are near. All the condos are doing is creating more way-too-expensive shops for us "locals."

Nancy Vansciver
Waikiki

Christians supposed to love thy neighbor

Regarding "Religious protection bill passed" (Star-Advertiser, Feb. 21): I have been following the passage of this bill in Arizona with concern.

In Canada, we have had sexual orientationincluded in the Human Rights Code since the 1980s. If religious people object to gay people because of their religious opinion, still they cannot discriminate against them.

People who disagree should be able to disagree, but refusing to serve someone at a restaurant, or provide medical services, is discrimination.

This is carrying religious protection to an extreme. It is about time these Christiansmake sure their refusals are based on love, not hate, and a sincere religious exercise of their religion.

Peter Iveson
Kaneohe

Hanohano learned nothing from past

Rep. Faye Hanohano appears to have a serious attitude problem — once again displaying her loose-cannon mentality.

Her apologies for her earlier insensible remarks obviously meant nothing; she apparently learned nothing from it.

Before she makes her next, inevitable, less-than-intelligent remark, she should be handed the pink slip.

Sub Okazaki
Waianae

Start each day by reading to your kids

Current statewide preschool proposals underscore the absolute necessity for all concerned: Read to keiki.

In addition, teachers need to start the day and settle the class with a good story. Family needs to create happy memories of tales at bedtime.

Picture book "treats" are available for a free three-week loan at every public library. Liliha even has a "Book Box" program limited to preschool teachers. There are eight sets of 24 titles, pre-selected, packed in wheeled carts, ready to go, for those short on time.

In a backwoods, eight-room school long ago, every day started with a flag pledge, a prayer and 10 minutes of "story time." In eighth grade, we used to beg to know what would happen next. I guess that’s why, at 82, I’m still a cheerleader for learning the fun way.

It is interest that pulls reading levels higher.

Sylvia C. Mitchell
Branch manager, Liliha Public Library