Drunk driving
IGNITION INTERLOCK LAW WILL HELP SAVE LIVES
I'm writing in response to Kris Schwengel's and Stan Wright's letters (Feb. 23). Their points are well taken, and the Legislature has, in fact, passed legislation regarding ignition interlock to combat drunk driving and to avoid the leniency of penalties.
In 2008, I introduced HB 3377, regarding ignition interlock, after being hit head-on by a drunk driver. Ignition interlock is a breathalyzer device placed into a car of a convicted drunk driver. The driver must blow into the device each time in order to start the vehicle. Should alcohol register on the device, the car will not start. A camera will be mounted in the car to ensure compliance.
HB 3377 was signed into law as Act 171 and becomes effective on July 1, 2010. Act 171 provides framework for the ignition interlock systems and created a task force to address administration and implementation of the interlock. The task force drafted recommendations that have been memorialized into a bill I introduced this year, HB 981. HB 981 will make mandatory installation of the ignition interlock for a first-time offender to avoid situations such as with the case of Sarah Whitford. Other penalties require community service, prison time, and a fine. Repeat offenders will receive heightened penalties.
Our state needs a change of mentality toward drunk driving. Ignition interlock will change this mentality and be a solution to save lives.
Rep. Sharon E. Har40th District (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei)
B&BS
LET HARD-WORKING FOLKS HAVE THEIR PEACE, QUIET
On Feb. 10, your letters to the editor page contained a letter from Mark Petritz of Waimanalo explaining the economic benefits of B&Bs and vacation rentals.
Some people often have a lot of experience with the economic benefits of vacation rentals, since they own a second (or third, or fourth!) house that they rent out short-term for sometimes $1,200 a night.
We have the bad luck of living next to a vacation rental. Many people spend their time drinking and partying. Why not; they're on vacation. When my 86-year-old mother asked them to keep the noise down, one of them told her to "go 'expletive' yourself, we are paying big bucks for this place and we will do anything we please."
We suggest that homeowners who want to avoid experiences like ours call their councilmember and say "NO" to the B&B and TVR supporters' bill now before the City Council, which will create more of them. There is plenty of room in Waikiki with prices in all ranges. Please leave our neighborhoods to hard-working people who work during the day and try to sleep at night.
Sandy ShimmonKailua
LEGISLATION
FIVE GOOD BILLS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY NEED HELP
Five good bills for our democracy are barely alive, and need public hearings by early next week. Otherwise, these bills turn into pumpkins on March 6:
Like previous years, good-government bills are rarely considered seriously by the Legislature — unless the citizens call attention to them. Get some attention!
Les Ihara Jr.State senator, 9th District, majority policy leader
CIVIL UNIONS
CIVIL RIGHTS SHOULD NEVER BE PUT TO VOTE
I must respectfully disagree with your editorial (Feb. 24) advocating a popular referendum on the issue of civil unions for same-sex couples. As you seem to be in favor of having the government treat same- and opposite-sex couples equally, I cannot understand the logic in allowing the public to vote on such an issue. Civil rights should never be put up for a public vote, as nice a compromise as it may sound.
There are countless examples from history to argue that point. Should the right of women to vote have been put up for a referendum? If the issue of interracial marriage were put up for a popular vote in this country, discrimination would have won the day. This state does not need a hugely expensive, divisive ballot initiative that will only serve to pit neighbor against neighbor without an opportunity for reasoned discourse.
The Legislature should pass HB 444 and it should tell us why — because all our citizens deserve equal treatment under the law.
Laura DursoHonolulu
CHURCH, STATE SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE
As Canadians, living in Hawai'i for many months each year, since 1987, we have always admired the 'ohana and aloha spirit, and how different nationalities and minorities are able to coexist.
However, we are very disturbed by the religious right's attempt to control the Hawai'i state government over a "civil liberties" issue, concerning homosexual relationships. Your church and state are to be kept separate. America welcomes oppressed people (religious or otherwise) from around the world, and it is ironic that some American churches practice discrimination against a minority.
As a note, we are a legally married gay couple (33 years together), with our status recognized federally all across Canada. Our country has not collapsed, and existing straight families have not gone to ruin. Churches which do not wish to perform a gay or lesbian marriage ceremony are not forced to do so.
So much fear has been introduced by some churches' opposition to HB 444 and their concern about the decline of the "family unit" if civil unions were allowed. We are loving family units, and allowing civil unions will show legal recognition of this fact by the state, and correct the inequality.
Keith TempleHonolulu
