FOOTBALL

A PROUD NIGHT FOR FARRINGTON, PUNAHOU

Everyone loves the last two minutes of a football game. I am one of those that love the first two to 10 minutes after the game when the players all line up for congratulatory handshakes and hugs after doing their best to outfox and physically pummel each other for the past two-plus hours.

As the wife of a football coach and the mother to two football players who started in Pee Wee and played through college, I have seen my fair share of football games. But rarely have I enjoyed a game as much as I enjoyed the state football championship semifinal between Punahou and Farrington.

Considering what was at stake for both teams, the display of self-control, maturity and mutual respect throughout the game was beyond impressive. No hysterics, few theatrics, not a single personal foul all night long. It was a beautiful thing. Both teams showed up for work, executing clean, exciting plays, one after the other. Time and again, over and over, players knocked each other down just to help each other back up, often acknowledging their opponents' efforts with one of those extra little slaps or pats we all like to see.

I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't wait to get up and watch it all again the following morning on OC 16. It was truly football at its best — a master class in great sportsmanship.

Congratulations to the winning individuals on both of these great teams.

SAFETY

RIDING IN TRUCK BEDS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED

It's amazing to me that accidents like the fellow who fell from the back of the pickup in Wai'anae, which resulted in his death, don't happen more often. I cringe every time I drive down Farrington Highway, then onto H-1 Freeway or any other road, when I see a truck with a truck bed full of individuals, many times including children.

Anyone else could expect a ticket if not buckled up in an enclosed vehicle, yet a truckload of loose bodies can be packed in the back of a truck legally. Some lean against the tailgate, and what will happen if the latch gives way? If the truck is unfortunate to be in an accident, how many will be hurt or killed?

How many times have I seen individuals sitting on the edge of a truck rail, holding on with their fingers? Yet this is legal, but a dog has to be tethered between both sides of the truck or the driver is subject to a fine. Does this make sense? It's time the Legislature outlawed this practice.

I make it a point that when I see a truckload of people, I get someplace else on the highway behind them. If they fall out, I don't want to be the one who accidentally runs over the bodies.

TRANSIT

TRAM CAN LINK AIRPORT TO TRAIN TERMINAL

The last time my wife and I went to San Francisco, we were traveling to Gilroy, Calif., with carry-on luggage only, with the intention to take the train.

We took the SFO airport's free tram to the BART station and BART to the Amtrak station nearest the airport, then to Gilroy. It worked well for us both going and returning.

Now my question is: Why can't the Honolulu International Airport have a tram from the airport to a mass-transit terminal in Mapunapuna or Salt Lake? It would avoid much of the fighting over routes and be less costly. Obtaining rights-of-way would cause minimal disruption, especially since much of the route would be on state or federal land.

BUS STOPS

'LITTLE STUMPS' INFERIOR TO THEBUS BENCHES

I hear you, Doris Bernard (Letters, Dec. 1). I often wait for TheBus at the stop that you mentioned. I have seen the benches disappear and the little stumps replace them.

Not too long ago, in this newspaper, a spokesman for the TheBus company explained that the replacement of the benches was "an upgrade!" Wow, if that is an upgrade, I wonder what a downgrade would be.

PRISONS

ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED TO PROTECT FAMILY VISITS

I am writing this letter in response to your Nov. 29 article entitled, "More prison visits canceled." This is totally unacceptable behavior by our state civil servants.

During this time of economic hardship, there are plenty of Hawai'i residents that would be more than happy to show up for a consistent check/benefits that will not be negatively affected by today's recession-like atmosphere.

I believe the state Corrections Division needs to find a way to make these officers more accountable for their multiple absences because their actions and behavior have a direct effect not only on the prisoners' mental state, but also that of their families' and prison co-workers. As with different jobs, when an employee calls in sick, the "next guy" must pick up the slack and take on extra duties to make up for the absence.

Even though the incarcerated prisoners have committed criminal acts, they need to have some contact with the outside world (family, friends, etc.) to help ease their transition from being locked up to their eventual release back into our communities. If their visits are constantly being canceled, what message are we sending to our prisoners? We don't care about you or what kind of transition you make back into society, as long as we are able to abuse our sick leave?

These visits surely have an effect on prisoner rates of recidivism, which will affect the community as a whole down the road. They will also have a significant effect on the morale of prisoners, their families and the working environment inside the prison.