PEDESTRIANS

GLAD TO SEE HPD'S EMPHASIS ON SAFETY

I am glad to see that the Ho-nolulu Police Department will be putting an emphasis on pedestrian safety.

Too many times I see pedestrians darting across traffic just to get to their bus.

All too often it's our elderly who are doing this, especially on Kalakaua near King Street.

Is catching your bus worth taking a chance with your life? So you miss your bus, just wait for the next one. At least you're still alive.

WALKERS BRAZENLY CROSS AGAINST RED LIGHT

I am a driver, a pedestrian and an occasional jaywalker.

After watching pedestrians blatantly cross intersections after their light has clearly changed to red, I have reached a conclusion.

The new pedestrian law has made these people feel empowered, as if a special privilege has been granted that allows them to cross whenever they choose.

Sometimes they smile sheepishly, sometimes they wave, but more often they look defiant because they know the onus is on the driver to stop.

I am not alone in this observation. My co-workers have often arrived seething or shaken after a "near miss."

Unfortunately, law or no law, a pedestrian does not win against an auto.

DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF ROADS ARE A HAZARD

While I applaud the state Department of Transportation's campaign to improve pedestrian safety, I was appalled by the department's attitude regarding seniors.

Gordon Hong, DOT safety section head, noted that a part of the state's publicity campaign is about teaching seniors that they can't look down at their feet while they're crossing the street, even if they're tying to avoid falling.

If our roadways weren't in such deplorable condition, pedestrians could follow Mr. Hong's advice.

Unfortunately, we must look down when crossing a Honolulu street to avoid tripping or falling because of the horrible conditions of many of our deteriorated road surfaces.

DOT's advice would be easy to follow if our roads were adequately maintained.

I would encourage DOT employees to get out and walk Ho-nolulu's streets. It is DOT that needs the education, not us.

STRYKERS

PROTESTERS RISKED ARREST AT 'OPEN' HOUSE

A crucial fact was left out of mainstream news accounts of the Stryker meeting Feb. 2 in Hilo.

The protesters' side was heard only because they risked arrest by bringing their own microphone to let people speak publicly about the downside of Strykers.

The Army's plan was for no public airing of the issues — in a format called an "open" house.

ADVERTISER

GREAT TO SEE CATALUNA'S COLUMN ONCE AGAIN

It's great to read Lee Cataluna's articles once again. I've missed her wonderful writing.

SAFETY

BICYCLISTS MUST RESPECT WALKERS ON SIDEWALKS

I read the editorial pages daily, and there are always articles about pedestrian and bicycle safety.

I walk around the Kapi'olani, Ke'eaumoku, Makaloa and Kanunu Street areas. Eight times out of 10, I have close calls with speeding bikes on the sidewalk.

These bike riders act as if they have the right to speed. There should be a law requiring bike riders to use a warning bell to alert pedestrians. They should also slow down when approaching a pedestrian.

CIVIL UNIONS

GAY COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE TREATED FAIRLY

I want to commend you on your editorial regarding civil unions (Feb. 9).

I moved here from the San Francisco Bay Area after many years in the tech industry there. I now do computer Web design and computer graphics for the film industry.

Our community contributes much to the Hawai'i economy. We are in TV, film, tech, food service, and own bars and restaurants, etc. We like it here and get along with everybody.

That being said all we want is to be treated fairly. The "gay marriage" factor has never been really important to me.

However, "civil unions" would give us all the same rights in terms of insurance, hospital visitations, part of living trusts. All we want is the same rights afforded to any American citizen.

We will always love it here for Hawai'i's natural beauty, its people and its aloha spirit.

TOLL ROAD

ZIPPER LANE IDEA IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE

The state's proposal to create a tollway using the Zipper lane on H-1 Freeway is beyond comprehension.

How can anyone envision that it would reduce traffic congestion?

By charging a toll, are more vehicles going to use the Zipper lane?

And how can we conceivably privatize this tollway when we are taking away highway lanes that have been built and paid for with taxes?

I am not against public-private transportation partnerships, but it must be done only when both sectors benefit.

COST OF LIVING

IT'S NOT JUST DOCTORS WHO CAN'T AFFORD ISLES

Newspaper headlines proclaim that doctors are leaving Hawai'i because they cannot afford to work and live here.

Since the average income in Hawai'i ranks around 25th in the country and Hawai'i's cost of living is about third in the country, when will the newspapers proclaim and when are the elected officials going to understand that most of Hawai'i's taxpayers cannot afford to live in Hawai'i?