CONSULT OBAMA

WITH RAIL, EPA FIASCOS, OUR CITY NEEDS A BAILOUT

Before our city goes bankrupt, Mufi Hannemann should ask Barack Obama for advice on Hannemann's fixed-rail future fiasco.

Obama at least would approach the dilemma our city is facing with good, common sense.

With the latest news regarding the EPA ruling costing us at minimum $1 billion, where does Mufi think he'll find the hat to pull the rabbit out of?

Running our city is real finance, not magic, and if we were to use sound judgment regarding fiscal matters, we would take care of infrastructure first, and then we would find out we didn't even have enough money for that!

Rail should be last on our list of priorities, after improving our roadways, bus transit system, corridor to the west side, and sewer and water conduits and treatment.

Recent developments in our economy demand sensible thinking in these changing times.

Reprioritizing is a necessity in each and every individual's lives these days, and should be evident in running our city, as it is in running our country.

PUBLIC SERVICE

MAHALO, REP. LEE, FOR THE PLEASANT SURPRISE

Do you recall the last time you said something nice about a politician?

On Dec. 31, 2008, my state representative sent me a letter.

Anticipating the standard updating format, I was pleasantly surprised.

I was being apprised that perhaps I qualified for unclaimed property reimbursement.

As it turns out, I do and have initiated the process.

Please note that I do not personally know my representative.

What impresses is the fact that my best interest is being looked after simply because I live in his district, not because I voted for him (which my wife and I did).

Significantly, since the unclaimed reimbursements were sent to my Honolulu work address (retired in 2000), an 'akamai connection was made.

Mahalo, Chris Lee.

FIREWORKS

AUTHORITIES ALLOWING CHAOS AND LAWLESSNESS

It's New Year's Day and I'm sitting in my home in Kalihi Valley, still shell-shocked. My husband and I usually stay home on New Year's Eve to watch over our home and property.

Last night had to be the worst ever — I am truly flabbergasted that the authorities allow such insanity. The noise was beyond deafening. I couldn't hear my TV even though I was sitting right in front of it and it was on the highest possible volume level.

The earth-shattering "bombs" went off continuously for hours, making the entire valley feel like it was under siege. And the illegal aerials were everywhere — truly a major disaster just waiting to happen. (Who can I sue if my house catches fire?)

When I describe the chaos and lawlessness to friends living elsewhere they say surely I'm exaggerating; the government wouldn't allow such pandemonium.

What is it going to take to get this situation under control? Are we waiting for a major catastrophe? I assure you it's coming if left as is.

BLACKOUT

HAM RADIO OPERATORS JUMPED RIGHT IN TO HELP

Every night on O'ahu the Emergency Amateur Radio Club on O'ahu conducts an Amateur Radio Net at 7:30 p.m. to train operators to ensure all equipment works and operators know the proper net procedures. Amateur radio operators are also known as ham radio operators. Most hams can stay on the air without electricity, as they use generator or battery power to run the equipment needed.

The EARC jumped right in and started the net early and took over 40 other ham operator reports and passed them to the Department of Emergency Management and the state Civil Defense. The reports were regarding power and water outages, problems with traffic, or if police officers were needed in locations to help with traffic.

Ham operators also volunteered to move to locations throughout the island to link up with state officials to provide emergency communication between agencies.

Ham radio operators are always out in the community and ready to assist with emergencies or other events as needed. Hams work closely with state Civil Defense and DEM throughout the year.

DRIVING

PROPER, QUICK RESPONSE TO AMBULANCE IS CRITICAL

Driving the morning of Jan. 5 from a Downtown appointment to my home in Kaimuki, I twice witnessed drivers failing to yield and stop for a fire truck and an ambulance.

In the first instance at the intersection of King and Dillingham, at least five drivers in the right-turn lane actually accelerated so they could continue to make right turns, preventing vehicles in the middle lanes from moving over to the side while the fire truck, with sirens wailing, was delayed unnecessarily for at least one minute. In the other instance, vehicles failed to stop and continued to drive at normal speed even as the ambulance sped past them.

According to the Hawai'i state drivers' manual, when you hear sirens you must determine where the emergency vehicle is coming from and you "must provide a clear path for the emergency vehicle and STOP." This is generally done by moving to the nearside curb to clear the middle for the emergency vehicle.

It is disappointing that so many people ignore this basic traffic rule because when emergency medical assistance is required, that extra minute can be the difference between life and death. You wouldn't want it to be your auntie or uncle, waiting for urgent medical help longer than they need to!