EMERGENCY PROTOCOL

WHEN SIRENS BLARE, WHAT DO DRIVERS DO?

On May 25 around 12:15 p.m., we were on Beretania Street in the makai lane and had stopped at Punchbowl for a red light. Behind us was a fire truck that had its siren on as it approached, but went silent as it took its place in line at the light. All the lanes were packed; there was no place anyone could have gone to clear a path. What to do? People didn't want to run the red light and surprise a car on Punchbowl that assumed it had the right of way to cross Beretania Street. Everyone honored the red light over the fire engine. But when the siren blared about three long blasts, the two cars in front of us went through the red light and we followed.

What is the protocol in a situation like this? Is one supposed to get out of the way of fire engines no matter what and run the risk of someone dying in a car accident or being paralyzed for the rest of their life? Or should one run the risk of causing people to die in a fire because traffic prevented the fire- fighters from doing their job as quickly as possible?

A continued mahalo to the fire department for its diligence, skill and caring and to whomever can enlighten us about these rules.

ANTIQUATED AIRPORT

FOCUS ON UPDATING OUR OLD SYSTEM BEFORE RAIL

The letter titled "Rail will help update our ancient system" (May 31) was correct in the advice to start the modernization of our airport systems before we tackle the larger masstransit system.

Not only is the Wiki Wiki shuttle bus in need of updating, but so is the rental-car pickup system. Sometimes, we treat our tourists terribly. On May 30, I picked up two tourists at the airport and went with them to pick up their rental car. The line at Hertz was at least an hour long, with many of the visitors senior citizens standing the whole time in the sun. Can you believe that? Fortunately, my friend had not prepaid for her car with her card, so after waiting for a half an hour, she went over to another of the several other car-rental agencies that hardly had lines at all. She booked another car and had it within 15 minutes.

Of course, we told the suffering Hertz customers, but most of them had already paid for their bookings.

I was appalled and want our locals to know just what is going on down there. This is not an isolated incident. Please, let's update some of these antiquated systems that give a bad taste to our coveted tourists. Once we can prove ourselves at the airport, we can have more confidence in the building of the mass transit.

IMMIGRATION

OPPONENTS SHOULD LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE

I would not want to be in the position of having to vote on any immigration bills. There are many pluses and minuses either way we go. I wonder if the ones who want to wall off the border will want to spend their weekends doing their own yardwork instead of playing golf. Or volunteer to spend their summer vacations picking crops for minimum wage, or less. I wonder if the ones who want open borders are willing to see their jobs eliminated or wages drop to be competitive.

I often wonder how the American Indians feel about this issue. There were no citizenship applications, passports or visas 400 years ago.

KAU INOA

SEPARATE GOVERNMENT WOULD POSE PROBLEMS

Questions for the proponents of Kau Inoa:

1) Kau Inoa seeks to establish a new Native Hawaiian government. Will there be a separate government established for Native Hawaiians, while the rest of the population exists under the already established state of Hawai'i and United States? How will this work?

2) Is the goal to eventually secede from the Union?

3) What will become of the population of Hawai'i that isn't Native Hawaiian? Will those persons have a voice in governance?

4) The phrase "Native Ha-waiian self-determination" is often used. Are Hawaiians now prevented from determining their destiny? Can they not pursue legal endeavors to provide for themselves and their families?

5) Are proponents of Kau Inoa seeking special rights and privileges based on their race? How would this pass constitutional scrutiny?

6) Some Hawaiian activists seek the re-implementation of a sovereign nation. Some espouse a return to monarchy. Is that the goal of all those in favor of Kau Inoa?

What is the direction Kau Inoa wants to take Hawai'i? In my opinion, it seems divisive and designed to pit Hawaiians against everybody else.

UH SPORTS

SOFTBALL TEAM EPITOME OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

The University of Hawai'i softball team was an awesome display of what sports should be at all levels of participation, whether for fun or profit.

Mahalo nui loa to Alana Power for her insightful diary of the team's unforgettable journey throughout the regionals. Her description of the post-game experience with both teams captured the true essence of competition and sports that gave me chicken skin. Congratulations to Coach Coolen, staff, team and the UH athletic department for making us proud.

SECOND AMENDMENT

RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS FOR EVERYONE — PERIOD

Gerald Hiatt's recent letter questioning the constitutionality of the right to keep and bear arms begs rebuttal. Mr. Hiatt seems to have a problem figuring out who "the people" are. The people are exactly what the word suggests, all people, just as the other nine amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights apply to all people.

One must not be a constitutional scholar to interpret that the Bill of Rights applies to all people individually. Modern jurisprudence has left the constitutionality of the right to bear arms unquestionable; it is a right of all people. As recently as 2006-2007, the gun ban in Washington, D.C., was overturned, citing the second amendment as the basis for the ruling. It is only in the mind of anti-gun activists that the Constitution is questioned. That is a dangerous slide we do not want to go down.

The Constitution does not force you to exercise the rights guaranteed under the Constitution. If you do not want a gun, don't have one. Mr. Hiatt can surrender his rights at any point, just don't ask me to surrender mine.