KAILUA

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THE GRAFFITI PROBLEM?

I write this letter to you in hopes of making a difference in my community. Every day I drive down Kalaheo Road and look at the various forms of graffiti that have taken over the walls. It seems there has been a rash of it lately. Most of the time the owners remove it, but some don’t.ᝐ

Today I was shocked and profoundly saddened to see graffiti on a wall one block from my home. I am in a quandary because I don’t understand why people vandalize others’ property. Not only is it an awful sight, but a representation of Kailua. We as a community need to pull together and have zero tolerance for it. We live in an amazing place — do we really want it ruined by tagging? Does the city have a budget for it? What can we do to help?

MILITARY DEATH

MAKE NOTIFICATION PROMPT, BUT HUMANE

As a retired Air Force officer I extend my condolences and prayers to the family and wife of Senior Airman William Newman. His endeavors were without doubt among those of "America's heroes" who placed others above self.

Yet, I am appalled by the fact that his wife, Soyong, received, as noted in your article, "a telephone call at 4:30 a.m." detailing his demise. What has the command at Hickam devolved into that a wife would receive a "call" at 4:30 a.m?

What heartless, unthinking individual did this? Prompt notification is critical, yes; but where was a military member and chaplain to detail the loss and provide comfort at a reasonable time of day?

Surely the number of losses in this war do not preclude humanitarian assistance! Hopefully your article was wrong in this detail — if not, I can but give my heartfelt thanks and prayers to the family and wife of Senior Airman Newman and hope for better military notification in the future.

SAFETY

UNMARKED POLICE CARS MAY HELP REDUCE CRIME

So, last month, the good ending of a bad event was when a more serious crime was avoided after a police impersonator quickly fled while a driver screamed and others came to her aid.

The Police Department was quick to point out that anyone should be wary of unmarked cars with removable dashboard lights, because their department only uses blue lights on top of their cars.

However, I wonder: How many businesses and homes would not be robbed as often if the thieves could not figure out which approaching cars were actually the police?

How many death-defying speeders racing up and down family neighborhoods and high-speed freeways could be caught, or motivated to keep their speed down? How many drug deals would go wrong or not occur at all for the dealers and buyers?

Are crime statistics lower in other parts of the world that use removable dashboard lights? Is it time for Hawai'i to strongly reconsider using similar lights? As a result, could crimes be stopped in the act or discouraged and could more unnecessary cripplings or deaths on the roads be avoided?

TRANSIT

PARENTS CAN PLAY ROLE TO GET TEENS ON BOARD

Damon Asato (Letters, June 13) states that rail will not work because teenagers want cars. The simple answer to that is parental denial.

If the folks are aware that the average cost of owning and using a car is anywhere from $5,000 to more than $7,000 per year, they will be happy to purchase monthly transit passes for their 16- to 21-year-olds still living at home and dependent on Mom and Dad for room, board and tuition.

Perhaps, as maturity and education cleanse their "MTV-addled" brains, the young adults will find that using public transit will not only be convenient but will enable them to find better uses for their money.

They also will likely find more pleasurable uses for their first car than being forced into commuting to work on the island's crowded roads.

MAUI DROUGHT

WHY CAN'T THE PUBLIC BE PART OF THE DEBATE?

The information on the Maui upcountry drought provided in the newspaper has been very informative, but seems to create more questions than answers.

If the County Council had not shut down the Hamakua Poko wells would we be in this drought situation? It is difficult to understand why the council shut down these wells when water treatment is a viable option and utilized in other areas of Maui and on O'ahu.

Is the County Council withholding scientific information that these other areas utilizing treated water should know about? If so, why?

The other question in this mess is who's in charge of drought warnings? The board used to be in charge, the Department of Water Supply has just declared a drought, as if they were in charge, and now the County Council seems to be concerned because it didn't get to declare a drought.

In the middle of all this, the council has hired a lawyer to interpret the charter to see who is in charge. The lawyer made his ruling, but his interpretation is considered secret under attorney-client privilege that we taxpayers have paid him to make.

Go figah!

MEALS ON WHEELS

STATE HAS THE CASH TO KEEP SENIORS WELL-FED

I was shocked and saddened when I read the June 14 headline "Meals on Wheels cuts back." In Governor Lingle's 2006 State of the State address she said, "I want to use about half of the state's $574 million surplus for tax relief for those who need it most."

Then in her 2007 State of the State address she said, "Our $735 million budget surplus can enable us to dramatically re-shape our destiny, if we make wise choices."

I think Governor Lingle should make a wise choice and not let our seniors go hungry.

RABBITS

SELLING THEM AS FOOD IS A TERRIBLE IDEA

An advertisement running in the Classified section of this publication (under "Livestock") announces for sale "ARBA New Zealand rabbits: Great for barbecue." (Curiously, one seldom sees, for example, "AKC Jack Russell terriers: Great for barbecue!")

New Zealand whites are large, gentle, docile rabbits which can be easily litterbox-trained (even as adults) and make quiet, affectionate household companions, particularly after spaying/neutering. The cuddly babies of this breed are regularly sold as "Easter Bunnies." Since Easter is past, presumably this owner believes that his leftover stock has value only as comestibles.

It is devoutly to be hoped that at least a few kind souls will see fit to purchase these otherwise-doomed creatures as companion animals, instead of dinner-table entrees. At $20 each, the bunnies offered are in line with pet-shop prices.

HEAR A SIREN?

STAY CALM, AND DON'T GO AGAINST THE RED LIGHT

On June 3, a reader asked what drivers should do if they are stopped at a red light and are blocking the path of an emergency vehicle. The safest guidance is: Do not enter an intersection on a red light.

Certainly we live in a congested city where all drivers are challenged by traffic. Emergency responders are no different and need other drivers to help us quickly and safely respond through traffic.

Here are a few tips for other drivers that can help any emergency vehicle respond on our busy streets. If you hear a siren or see flashing lights you should: