• Ask your heart what’s right • More on electric cars • Green lights can help avoid red lights Ask your heart what’s right Did removing the Pinetree Inn illegal structure solve the night problems in the area? Did it
• Ask your heart what’s right • More on
electric cars • Green lights can help avoid red
lights
Ask your heart what’s right
Did removing the Pinetree Inn illegal structure solve the night problems in the area? Did it stop unruly people from hanging around at day or night? Did anyone really ask the tourist, “is seeing families and elders at Pinetree Inn an eye sore?”
Locals have been in the area for many, many years enjoying that safe swimming spot and visiting with one to another at Kalapaki Bay. Even before the businesses were put up there. But I guess money talks!
Will those families and elders be chased away if they decide to bring their own folding canapees, folding tables, and folding chairs to be comfortable while enjoying swimming and visiting with one another at that very spot mentioned above during the daylight to sunset hours?
On another note, regarding the Aug. 6 letter “Yes, yes, yes,” what I’m hearing you saying is that you couldn’t care less about the young teens who want to kick the habit by turning themselves in to a drug treatment center for help.
You must be a negative person for not wanting to try and get help for these young ones who want to kick the habit and live a productive life. Quit being so negative and help make a difference and support the drug treatment center and the chosen location. We have to start somewhere. Why not there or anywhere? Ask your heart what is right people.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
More on electric cars
We are grateful for Patty Kaliher to bring to our attention (“On electric and hybrid cars,” Letters, Aug. 6) the economics of electric vehicles.
Our calculations generally correspond with her conclusions — on Kaua‘i a hybrid car is at least comparable or slightly more cost efficient than a total electric vehicle and has the great advantage of not having to stop for a recharge after limited driving.
Several other points should be mentioned in this discussion.
First, maintenance is greatly reduced with electrical vehicles, and this is especially an important consideration for businesses with fleets of trucks.
Second, many individuals are installing solar systems to reduce or replace expensive electricity from the grid. After six years or so, the costs of the installation are totally covered by the savings in the electric bill and you have free power for another 10 to 15 years. At this time, if you use your own generated electricity to charge your electric vehicle driving cost is basically $0.00 per mile.
Finally, reliance on renewable energy, whether in the home or car, makes the best economic sense when tax credits are in place, and with the financial turmoil in Washington concerning the federal debt these credits may be vulnerable to repeal.
For those considering moving to alternative energy sources you may want to start the process before the end of this tax year to be assured that you receive this important tax credit.
Douglas Wilmore, Kilauea
Green lights can help avoid red lights
One of the most overlooked reasons for driving accidents is not drunk driving, texting or cell phone driving but rather new studies have shown that drugged driving is a danger to us all.
This is not illegal drugs, but rather the prescription drugs that almost every adult over 55 is on one or more of these, even over-the-counter drugs can effect our abilities to react in a timely manner, especially the cold medications such as NyQuil.
High blood pressure medications can make us drowsy, pain killers can make us feel euphoric almost like an illegal drug and antidepressants can make us feel mellow like we have weights on our arms and legs. Just because you follow your doctor’s orders does not mean that your medications are safe to take while driving a motor vehicle.
Many cities are now training their law enforcement to recognize the behavior of people on prescribed drugs. In fact if you run a red light or are caught speeding in many cities under the influence of prescribed medications you will face the same penalties as drunk drivers face for not heeding the warnings on the medications you take.
Courts issue penalties for DUIs; it’s time prescribed drugs taken legally be added to all laws regarding DUIs when they impair one’s concentration.
Pharmacists are trained and legally are there for you to ask questions. Ask your pharmacist if the prescribed drugs you are taking affect your driving abilities. Taking multiple prescription drugs can have a chemical reaction similar to mixing many different alcoholic drinks, and don’t even think of mixing alcohol and prescription drugs.
Take appropriate action before it’s too late. Don’t take your meds and drive unless you discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist and they give you a green light. Remember a green light form your medical professionals can avoid running red lights and saving someone’s life by not getting behind the wheel.
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
