Letters to the Editor
Thursday, July 11, 1996

Mental health community deserves
kudos and help

There is a scarcity of mental health services in Hawaii. Hospitals are full and community programs are few and far between, including consumer-run support groups. Psychiatrists are overworked and are being told which medications they may or may not use for those on Quest/Medicaid.

Therefore, we all need to help each other. I would like to warn my fellow mental health consumers to be careful of the intense heat during the summer and to drink plenty of water. Our medications can be toxic.

I would also like to commend Randy Hack, executive director of United Self-Help, and Debbie Rivers and Joyce Shigekuni, who participate on various mental health boards and committees. They are mental health advocates who have worked relentlessly. They spent much time at the Legislature and helped rescue the people on general assistance from losing all hope.

Many people are facing difficult times. But please don't forget those of us who walk a fine line every day.

Laurie Meech


Hawaiians should be at Makua,
not the Army

In his June 18 letter, "Woody" Woodworth of the Makua military reservation wrote, "The decision on the valley's future should be determined through the eyes of our moopuna, as they should be the ones to benefit."

Yes! The moopuna are in need of their aina, Makua, now!

According to the 1995 National Kids Count Data Book, Hawaiians make up the most troubled ethnic group in Hawaii. They have the highest percentages of single teen births, child deaths, children in poverty, child abuse and neglect cases, student use of alcohol, and juvenile arrests for violent crimes.

The fact that native Hawaiians will be extinct in 50 years means that they are an endangered species!

Woodworth also wrote that "the U.S. Army has been trying to be a good tenant." The endangered Hawaiian people need not be an "absentee landlord" - it's crucial that Hawaiians be allowed to live on their land now.

Hawaiians shall be the true caretakers of Makua. The moopuna, with the guidance of their kupuna and makua (parents), should be able to rehabilitate the land with native plants and native Hawaiians, thereby rehabilitating themselves.

Bonnie Keliikoa
Kurtistown, Hawaii


Cayetano did good job in
ousting beach dwellers

Great praise to Gov. Ben Cayetano for evicting the Makua Beach squatters. Beautification of our land and resources is very important, which the Hawaiian people have expressed so often.

Also, keeping the news media away was great. Having them there might have created demonstrations, which may have resulted in injuries.

These squatters should be relocated within the mountain areas. Then they could live on and cultivate their own land, which they love so much. It would keep them busy instead of polluting the beautiful beaches.

Beatrice Ono


'Barnes Walk' won't work
in Honolulu traffic

I was very much interested in your June 24 "Barnes Walk" article because I am a former engineer who lived in Denver when this innovative traffic control feature was put into effect.

Mr. Barnes' solution to chaotic traffic conditions was revolutionary and has stood the test of time. Basically, the plan required all automobile traffic to stop in all directions while pedestrians hastened across the intersections, diagonally if they so chose. When observed from above, the effect resembled the well-known maneuver of the square dance. Hence, it was called the "Barnes Dance."

A similar solution for Honolulu, however, is not feasible.

In Denver, the blocks are very short and the streets occur in a checkerboard pattern so that an integration of the traffic lights can be more readily coordinated. The complete stoppage of automobile traffic, while pedestrians are being accommodated, can be coordinated with adjacent intersections.

In Honolulu, the streets are wider so that the stoppage of automobile traffic will have to be for a longer period to give pedestrians sufficient time to cross. Also, there is no repetitive pattern of streets, or block lengths, so that coordination of lights at adjacent intersections will be almost impossible.

While the "Barnes Walk" is an interesting concept, it is not a practical solution to Honolulu's traffic problems.

August L. Ahlf
Retired civil engineer


Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.



Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Community] [Info] [Stylebook] [Feedback]