SAFETY

LONG JEANS HELPED IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

In February, my husband and I had an accident on our Harley Davidson. Thankfully, neither of us suffered major injuries, and I didn't have a scratch.

Because I went sliding down the freeway in a sitting position, I am more than thankful that I was wearing long jeans. Had I not, I would probably still be preparing for skin grafts on my legs (or worse).

Recently we were town-bound on the H-2 Freeway when we noticed a couple on a sports bike. The girl was in the shortest of shorts, and they were going along at a good speed.

My first instinct was to ask them to pull over so I could tell her of my experience, but we didn't.

Riders, please! Wear long pants! After what we went through, I wear them every time I ride, even if it's just down the street.

GI BILL

SHAMEFUL MCCAIN DOESN'T BACK MEASURE

Thank you, Sen. Dan Akaka! But Dennis Camire's April 21 article, "Akaka endorses new GI Bill," failed to note that Sen. John McCain, "supporter" of the troops, has refused to sign on as a co-sponsor of the new GI Bill.

Your editorial staff should have noted his refusal, to inform your readers about the stand Sen. McCain, as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has taken.

It is shameful that a veteran of Vietnam and someone widely touted as Congress' foremost champion of veterans affairs will not sign on to a largely bipartisan, uncontroversial measure (both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are co-sponsors).

RAIL

STUDIES SHOW BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO TRAIN

Your rail initiative editorial got it wrong. You said that studies show the $3.7 billion commuter train "offers the best alternative to deal with traffic." Several equally valid studies show better and cheaper alternatives.

You got the difference between these conflicting studies right when you wrote, "To qualify for federal funds, the project would have to meet stringent standards." The wording for the half-percent GET increase was rigged to be sure that the money could be used only for rail.

This whole mess is about getting "free" federal money. As my daddy used to say, "Anything you get for nothing costs you twice as much."

RAIL

PR TEAM BRINGING MEETINGS TO PUBLIC

People love to complain. For years, people complained that government decisions were made behind the hallowed doors of City Hall. Now, council member Charles Djou and other elitists on the City Council are complaining that a public relations team is being paid to throw open those doors and engage ordinary citizens in the mass-transit project.

I'm grateful that Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his PR team host evening community meetings about the mass-transit system, allowing me to ask my questions and voice my opinion.

Like most people, I can't take three hours off from work in the middle of the day to testify at council hearings. It's great that we finally have a mayor who is willing to do what is necessary to involve the entire community.

PEACE EFFORT

CARTER MERITS THANKS FOR MIDEAST MISSION

President Carter deserves our gratitude and support for his courageous attempt to bring peace to the Middle East instead of being attacked for his efforts.

Matthew 5:9 tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Our former president and Nobel prize winner has opened the way to settle this conflict, which has caused so much misery and cost so many lives.

TRAFFIC

USE BUS FOR ERRANDS, REDUCE CARS ON ROAD

I have recently begun catching the bus for my errands around town, and I am greatly impressed by this valuable resource accessible to pretty much all O'ahu residents.

Though I own a car, I prefer saving money and peace of mind by catching the bus.

Since the price of gasoline can only go up, people should plan on riding the bus — or rail, if it eventually comes into being — and dislodge the common mindset resulting in our American one-person/one-car ratio.

The fewer cars on the road, the better for our environment and the free flow of traffic.

CONVEYANCES BUREAU

IT IS TIME TO LET LAND BUREAU GO PAPERLESS

The Bureau of Conveyances spent last year working with staff, union and industry planning to put the bureau online. The bureau has signed a contract with the same vendor who placed the departments of Taxation, Commerce, and Labor online. I informed the House and Senate back in July that we intended to put the bureau online.

The bureau receives 900 to 2,000 documents each day — at about 10 pages each. Our staff must scan 10,000 pages a day plus enter data for every document. Allowing people to e-mail documents to the bureau eliminates the scanning and data entry, is easier for all Hawai'i residents and saves paper. This simple step will reduce the current four-month recording process to less than one week.

Sens. Russell Kokubun and Jill Tokuda are blocking the necessary legislation and together are stopping progress in the bureau.

Ironically, the Senate recognizes the benefits of electronic documents, as they themselves moved to a paperless system. In December 2007 the Senate president said she hoped taking the Senate online would "set an example for the rest of the state."

Call your senator and ask her/him to pass the House version of HB 2302 and allow the Bureau of Conveyances to go online this year.