Kailua beach bill vital to safety

The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle’s 500-plus volunteers have worked for 65 years as advocates of our Kailua environment.

Many members were active when the city condemned 13 houses and purchased Camp Kailana to enlarge Kailua Beach Park for the enjoyment of all Oahu’s residents.

The 1996 draft environmental assessment made it clear that "developing Kailua Beach Park into an ocean recreation center is not part of the proposed action" and that "no tour bus parking will be allowed."

Mayor Peter Carlisle said that one of his reasons for vetoing Bill 11, CD 1, passed by a 7-2 vote of the City Council, is that it sets a precedent for closing other beach parks to commercial activity. The city’s own rules and regulations state: "Commercial activities within city parks exist as a privilege and not a right."Park regulations recognize different uses for "particular parks."

Kailua and Kalama Beach Parks are heavily used.Bill 11, CD1 provides the necessary tools to manage the gridlock now threatening the safety of visitors and residents alike.

Suzanne Gilbert
Kailua

Fluoride used on military bases

As a teacher, I find it difficult to meet with parents and not inform those who live on military bases that fluoride is pumped into their water.

Honolulu, of course, and most of the rest of Hawaii have refused fluoride for years. Thousands of studies have been done, the latest by a group from Harvard stating unequivocally that after studying group after group of children drinking fluoride in their water, a significant lowering of IQ was present. The problem is that the fluoride, among many other awful things, calcifies the pineal gland — the higher reasoning area in our brains.

If we want good results on standardized testing, we want all our children in best possible physical shape. If military parents want their child to succeed in life, give them a chance. Look for a decent filter.

Nandarani Evans
Makiki

Pedestrians need to be careful, too

Vehicle drivers must be considerate of pedestrians, but pedestrians have a huge role in their own safety.

Hawaii law states that a red light should be regarded as a stop sign prior to making a turn. Because this is so often disregarded, pedestrians should always check for errant drivers prior to stepping off the curb.

At multi-lane, unprotected crosswalks, even if the vehicle closest to a pedestrian does the right thing and stops, there is no guarantee that a car in the next lane will do the same, since it’s nearly impossible to see that a pedestrian has begun crossing, due to the pedestrian being hidden by the first vehicle.

The state should have endless PSAs reminding drivers and pedestrians of their responsibilities regarding safety, and all unlit or unprotected crosswalks should be removed or replaced with crossing (only) lights or signals.

Think safety, Hawaii, not speed!

Quincy Kelly
Mililani

Hannemann deserves thanks

Mufi Hannemann has been serving the people of Hawaii for more than 40 years.

I don’t use this word lightly. He has served you. He has given every ounce of his time and passion to making Hawaii a great place to live. Brilliant and dedicated, Mufi worked hard and long while you were sleeping in your bed. Remember all the courageous and selfless things that Mufi has done. When you see him, don’t look at him as the loser of a race. Thank him! Thank him for all the good that he has done, because Mufi has earned a positive place in Hawaii’s political history.

Linda Auyoung Louie
Honolulu

No, don’t take UH to ‘next level’

University of Hawaii-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple asks if we are prepared to spend a lot more money on UH athletics.

Well, we have a run-of-the-mill university run amateurishly and located thousands of expensive miles from any other school. UH-Manoa is a shabby dump. Yet we continue to bungle away hundreds of thousands of dollars so we can take UH "to the next level."

Maybe UH is on an elevator and the next level is down. So no, we are not willing to pour our money into that hole.

Peter Easterling
Pahoa, Hawaii island