Little by little, rail transit makes progress

Supporters of the long-delayed rail may be breathing a sigh of relief now, with the latest word from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. The archaeological survey field work is done, and HART CEO Daniel Grabauskas said the seven sites where ancient Hawaiian remains ("iwi kupuna") were found could be left without further disturbance.

If that’s so, that’s a good thing. State burials laws make things more complicated if relocating the remains is necessary. Most of the advocates for protecting the iwi want burials to remain in place.

Even so, the process at the State Historic Preservation Division, including the Oahu Island Burial Council, can be an arduous and emotional one, especially with a project as controversial as rail. HART will need to stay on top of every last detail, because everything will come up, guaranteed.

Motorcyclists knock heads against helmets

State legislators wanting to encourage motorcyclists to wear helmets should realize they are dealing with mighty as well as free-spirited bikers.

Even Senate Bill 484, which would encourage helmet-wearing by offering a discount on vehicle registration fees, was met with suspicion at a public hearing. "This basically looks like a back-door ploy to bring us in a helmet bill, and I don’t want a helmet bill," said William "Wolfman" Gass of Kailua. He’s not alone.

The federal government required states in 1967 to enact helmet use laws to qualify for certain highway funds, and nearly all states, including Hawaii, agreed. In 1976, states successfully lobbied Congress to stop the incentive, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Hawaii quickly limited the helmet requirement to bikers 17 and younger, which remains on the books.