WHAT'S IRRITATING IS AUDACIOUS SPEEDERS

Alan Matsuda's letter (May 25), "Slowpokes need to keep to right lane," raises some fascinating points. Those traveling the speed limit are not a "major cause of traffic." They are, however, a major obstacle to those who want to flout the speed laws and put everyone around them in danger.

Although Mr. Matsuda calls these "slow" drivers irritating, what I find irritating are speeders who think the freeway is their own personal autobahn. Mr. Matsuda is correct in that police should give more tickets, but the tickets should go to speeders and tailgaters, not law-abiding safe drivers. Those who want the "passing lane" decreed a speeding-free zone are actually arguing for raising the speed limit, whether they know it or not.

Physics proves that when cars in a group move more slowly and safely, the speed of the group increases. Cars move like rice through a funnel and therefore what's good for the individual might not be best for the group.

Most traffic accidents and deaths are caused by speed, so please drive safely. Getting home 26 seconds faster isn't worth you risking my life on Kalaniana'ole Highway.

Kris Schwengel | Honolulu

OIL DEPENDENCE

RAIL TRANSIT PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED OPTION

Our state imports 90 percent of its oil and all of its motor fuel. Which is why stories like the 9-cent rise in gas prices are so scary: We don't have alternative fuel sources for our cars, and our island is dangerously dependent on car travel.

We need to get serious about car-free ways to move around our island. Honolulu already has great bus service, but it's just not enough. We need mass-transit alternatives like rail. It uses less energy than cars to move far more people, it's dependable, and every major city in the nation has rail. The sooner rail is built, the sooner we take a major step forward to energy independence.

Keane Omaye-Backman | Honolulu

SCHOOL LUNCH

CHANGE MENU SO KIDS DON'T WASTE

If the state must raise the cost of the lunches, I have no problem with that. But I feel that they should look into making changes in their menu.

I went to my granddaughter's school several times for lunch. It's a shame to see so much food go to waste. A majority of the children do not touch their lunch. They drink their milk and that's their meal for the day. That includes my granddaughter, who is in the second grade.

I feel that by now the cafeteria workers and staff should know the likes and dislikes of food choices for the children. Why not serve them more of the foods they will eat? This way, their parents will not be wasting their money and the kids will have a balanced meal.

Otherwise, my granddaughter and a lot of other kids will definitely bring home lunch.

Leanette Gima | Kane'ohe

CELL PHONE BAN

ENFORCEABILITY DOES NOT INVALIDATE LAW

Cell phone ban: Hurray! The law banning cell phone usage while driving should not be degraded because it is difficult to enforce. Mr. Chambers (Letters, May 19) implies that laws are enacted so that police can catch and punish violators. Therefore, if enforcement is difficult, the law is senseless.

I support the ban completely. My concern is not about getting caught and fined, it is about the essence of the law: While driving, we should not be using cell phones at all. It promotes safety for the driver and pedestrians alike.

If all that is important is enforceability, then we should get rid of laws on speeding, traffic signs, illicit drug use, etc.

Laws are set as permanent reminders for us to be responsible citizens, for the welfare of others. If you use your cell phone improperly while driving, you are breaking the law.

While in New York City, I never dare use my cell phone while driving because I know it is illegal there. It is no surprise, then, that you see nobody doing it, either.

I hope everyone will feel the same way here, for a safer Honolulu.

Ignacio A. Torres, M.D. | Honolulu

MILITARY

POPPIES CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS VETERANS

We would like to thank the management of the Ke'eaumoku Wal-Mart for allowing us to distribute American Legion Auxiliary poppies this past Friday and Saturday. Thank you also to the generous people who made their contributions; we enjoyed talking with you.

We also appreciated the opportunity to say thank you for their service to the many veterans who stopped by. Special thanks to the two gentlemen who brought us cold drinks and, later, coffee.

The contributions received from the veteran-made poppies enable us to visit veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. Again, a big mahalo to all of you.

Elizabeth J. Lee | President, Honolulu Unit No. 1, American Legion Auxiliary

ANIMAL ABUSE

JAIL TIME FOR KILLING BIRD GOES TOO FAR

I feel Mark Kalmus' May 25 letter about the woman who killed a peacock went too far. He said, "No one has the right to kill a defenseless animal for any reason." Really? So he would like to force us all to become vegetarians, and throw into jail anyone who dissented from this incredibly radical position? Talk about an anti-liberty point of view!

A peacock is a bird — it is property — and it is not even close to being the equivalent of a human being. If the woman in question killed someone else's peacock, she should be liable for monetary damages for destroying their property without their consent, and for causing them distress and taking away their pet. But jail time? That's going too far. The laws on the books about animal cruelty should be lessened, not made even harsher and more Draconian.

Jim Henshaw | Kailua

HOMELESS SURVEY

IRREGULARITY PLAGUES DATA ON UNSHELTERED

The article on the homeless count missed several key issues that continue to plague the biennial survey and efforts at measuring the impact of the state's initiative.

First of all, for the third straight time, the state employed a vastly different survey methodology, making comparisons from year to year impossible. There was no big increase in chronic homelessness.

Second, the recent survey appears to have completely missed swaths of areas where homeless congregate. Implementation of the methodology was bungled in many parts of the island.

Third, the state's Homeless Database contains more than 5,000 active cases of so-called unsheltered homeless on O'ahu — so, why can they only find 20 percent of them?

The statement in the article that advocates have seen an increase since January comes with absolutely no evidence. There is a ton of space in shelters and a dozens of unused Shelter plus Care vouchers that could be housing some of the chronically homeless people.

About $50 million spent on homeless services, zero dollars spent on a real analysis of the impact. A database that remains completely inaccurate. That is the state's data-driven initiative.

Michael Ullman | Honolulu