• Expand the bypass project • Smart meter dangers • Rude airport workers Expand the bypass project As currently envisioned, the Temporary Wailua Bypass will be used only during emergencies which require closing Kuhio Highway between the Wailua River and
• Expand the bypass project • Smart meter dangers • Rude airport
workers
Expand the bypass project
As currently envisioned, the Temporary Wailua Bypass will be used only during emergencies which require closing Kuhio Highway between the Wailua River and Hanama’ulu.
As such, we hope it will never be used, but know that in any given year it may be used several times.
A better answer would be to expand the project to provide two lanes open to public traffic 24/7, just like the bypass north of the river.
It would cost more than the temporary bypass, principally to widen the existing roadway and improve the pavement. Those costs would be justifiable in their own right because of the reduced congestion in Blood Alley during normal days and by much improved traffic flow during emergencies.
Think of all the missed flights, appointments, etc., which happen now. The added costs likely would be offset by other factors.
First, we should determine if the upgraded project could qualify for federal funds in addition to state and county funds.
Second, we should ask if the two additional bypass lanes would permit us to discontinue the expensive and hazardous contra-flow operation on Kuhio Highway.
Third, we support the DOT’s desire to put in a fourth lane on Kuhio Highway through Blood Alley.
With a bypass in place, construction costs (and hassles) could be reduced by operating Kuhio as a two-lane highway for the public and dedicating the third lane to support construction of the new fourth lane.
John Love, Kapa‘a
Smart meter dangers
In response to Michael Mann (Letters: Jan. 13) doubting smart meter dangers, wireless technologies were never tested for biological effects, and now we are seeing suffering and victims.
The Bio-Initiative Report was adopted by European Parliament and chronicles the effects of sub-thermal radio frequency (RF).
FCC standards for safety are only based on thermal effects.
The extremely weak sub-thermal frequencies that the FCC ignores, particularly pulsed RF, have been shown to mimic and interfere with body electrics causing a variety of pathologies, including genetic mutation.
The Sage Reports on Smart Meters may also be enlightening (sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/), as is the work of Daniel Hirsch and his critique of the California Center for Science and Technology study, which KIUC is using. (stopsmartmeters.org/2011/04/20/daniel-hirsch-on-ccsts-fuzzy-math/)
We can ask, ‘Were there peer-reviewed papers that convinced Congress to ban DDT or did we see evidence on the ground?’
Please visit the Electro-Sensitive Society website and try a search for “smart meter victims.” There is a reason 48 municipalities in California have banned, criminalized or challenged smart meters with official policies.
When it comes to the side effects of new technology, new drugs, new genetically modified organisms or new pesticides, the precautionary principle seems wise, while assuming that something that has never existed on the planet before would be safe is unwise.
Cell phones are dangerous. People are getting sick. Research it. Why add another layer of danger? Wireless-free schools will be mandated, guaranteed.
With sick fish in the river as evidence of a problem, do we wait for a “peer reviewed study?”
Ray Songtree, Hanalei
Rude airport workers
Thank you, Vanessa van Voorhis, for sharing your experience (TGI: Section C, Page 1, Jan. 15) with the rude orange vests at the Lihu‘e airport.
There are many outstanding professionals who exemplify aloha at the airport, but there apparently is a serious lack of training among curbside security employees.
My husband and I have been treated rudely many times by these individuals.
For example, my husband has been ordered to drive around and around, not allowed to slow down long enough for me to jump in the car, even when there was room at the curb to pull over and I was clearly steps away, waving for his attention.
Another time, he had pulled up to the curb, I put my carry-on bag in the back seat, and began to get into the front seat when we were ordered to leave.
When I respectfully asked if I was permitted to get into the car first, the orange-vested power-tripper barked that we had to leave now. Hello, that’s what we were already doing.
I travel weekly and am shocked at this negative behavior. Honolulu traffic security personnel, by the way, are always courteous and professional.
I endure this shabby treatment in Lihu‘e because I live here. If I were a visitor, it would definitely announce, “No aloha on Kaua‘i.”
Perhaps the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau could conduct some aloha training with Lihu‘e Airport personnel.
Otherwise, their hard work and marketing efforts will be thwarted by such inexcusable behavior.
Marianne Luken, Kapa‘a
