Letters for Saturday, January 27, 2007

• Many mahalos

• Driver’s ed

• Blame goes all around

• Signs needed

• Earning the privilege

• If you’re not part of the solution….

• Risk/reward

Many mahalos

I am a strong supporter of the Kaua‘i bike path. The Kapa‘a-Anahola segment is almost finished and I can’t wait for its official opening. The path will certainly bring the community of cyclists, runners, skaters, baby carriages, walkers, hikers and so many others together to take pleasure in commuting to work, school, shop, exercise and play.

But, like any great idea, there were challenges in the construction of the Kapa‘a-Anahola segment. It is in facing those challenges and persevering through them that I give so many thanks to Mayor Baptiste for his leadership, to Doug Haigh and all the county employees for their countless hours of work.

Thank you, also, to those Kaua‘i councilmembers who have been so supportive. Thank you to all the donors and all the thousands of people who worked so hard on its creation.

And also thank you to Glenn Mickens for reminding us that all the dollars that were brought to Kaua‘i to compensate those workers and their families came from the United States Federal Government. Thank you, Washington, for dropping $50 million (or however much) into the economy of our island. Those federal tax dollars fed a lot of households, clothed a lot of folks, bought books for a lot of children. And those federal dollars will continue to benefit the health of Kauaians for generations to come. It is American tax dollars well spent, and that is refreshing for a change, isn’t it?

To those who say the money should have been spent on our roads; well, it would never happen. Those federal matching funds were not allocated for that purpose. The good news is the Federal Highway Administration has $35 billion — with a “b” — allocated to road repairs and road building for this year. See their most recent budget at www.dot.gov/bib2004/fhwa.html.

Kapa‘a

Driver’s ed

Louise Aldrich’s comments (“When in doubt, don’t go out,” Letters, Jan. 25) are good. However, who knows how many visitors watch TV.

How about having a pamphlet with all this information that tourist drivers need to read and acknowledge having done so before they rent a car? And besides that, a copy should be given to them with the rental contract … and written in big bold colorful letters!

Maybe then our roads will become safer.

Kapa‘a

Blame goes all around

Bad driving isn’t limited to visitors! (“When in doubt, don’t go out,” Letters, Jan. 25) I was nearly run off the road by a speeding pickup truck passing cars illegally near Lumaha‘i Beach. If I hadn’t seen them coming and stopped way ahead of time, there would have been a crash.

Internet submission

Signs needed

It seems to me that since this kind of accident — a vehicle attempting a U-turn — has happened before (“Alaska man is first traffic fatality of ’07, A1, Jan. 24), with similar consequences, that there should be some provision (a posted sign, for example) to advise motorists where U-turns can be safely made.

Internet submission

Earning the privilege

I feel we would be remiss if we tried to place all the blame for our traffic woes on our visitors. On my way to work this past Thursday, as another man lay dead on the pavement, I observed these behaviors by non-visitor drivers:

• The truck in front of me was tailgating a car in Kapaia;

• A car ran the yellow light (speeding of course) by the hospital;

• The car behind him ran the red light (once again speeding) because obviously the first driver wasn’t speeding fast enough for the second driver to also make the yellow light;

• By Pizza Hut, a driver was attempting to make a right on red but almost was hit by someone who attempted to change lanes in the intersection;

• In front of the shopping center, a driver was straddling the center lane;

• It was still dark and several drivers had no headlights on.

Is there anyone on Kaua‘i who has not been cut off on Kuhio Highway (also known as Suicide Alley) by young males in big trucks and big tires with a bumper sticker saying “Respect the Locals” who are racing down the road weaving in and out of traffic during rush hour?

Why do some us feel the need to increase our speed upwards to 70 to 80 mph to pass cars on the small section of road heading west just past Halfway Bridge? Do you realize that you only gain a one- to two-car lead? Do you know that sometimes I pull in right behind you at your destination? Do you realize that by increasing your speed you have endangered your life and the lives of all the other drivers around you? Was it worth it for a 20-second advantage?

Have we all forgotten basic common sense driving rules? I agree we need better roads but until that happens, pay attention to what you are doing, go the speed limit, don’t tailgate, when it’s dark turn on your lights, yellow means “Slow Down” and that yellow line down the middle of the road is intended to keep you from hitting another driver head-on so stay on your side of it.

Perhaps every couple of years, we all need to take a refresher course on basic driving rules. Driving is a privilege and we need to treat it as such.

Kapa‘a

If you’re not part of the solution….

Since he has cloaked himself in self righteousness, I will reveal that while Mr. Smith (“It’s good to be Asing,” Letters, Jan. 16) was making his ridiculous high-rise affordable housing suggestions, I, as chairman of the board of trustees for my church, was building (seven cottages so far) affordable housing on church property and renting to low-income residents in Lihu‘e.

Chronic complainers are part of the problem. I’d rather get things done and be part of the solution.

Wailua

Risk/reward

I urge the state to take over the trails to, and improve signage at, Opaeka‘a Falls (“Barring strong public opinion, Opaeka‘a Falls to remain off-limits,” A1, Jan. 20).

Taking chances is a part of life. We all take risks just by getting out of bed in the morning and driving to work.

It would be a shame to let a terrible accident deny public access to such a beautiful spot.

Sacramento, Calif.