Need for More Family Court Judges on Oahu

Dear Editor,            January 25, 2017

Although Chief Justice Recktenwald hit many of the top issues, I was disappointed that today’s State of the Judiciary speech did not include a call for more Family Court judges on Oahu.

Family Court has long been a concern of mine. Adoptions, foster care, divorce and abuse of family members is the order of the day in Family Court. The competing views, the emotional turmoil, the questionable facts often require the patience of Job, wisdom of Solomon and the compassion of St. Paul.

I have first-hand experience with these dedicated judges who toil away tirelessly. These judges have workloads and volumes of case information they must sort through that requires a Herculean effort on a daily basis. They are the community’s unsung heroes and they need help.

I firmly believe Family Court needs at least two more judges on Oahu to address the daily work load. Otherwise, I am afraid our citizens will not get the full attention they deserve.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is a leader who clearly displayed a firm grip on the complex array of issues the Judiciary deals with on a daily basis. While he made a compelling argument for adding a single Circuit Court judge to Maui I would hope that he would give some consideration to our judiciary needs here.

Rep Bob McDermott

Ewa, Oahu

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Vacant?  Planned Hires Normally Get Half-Year Funding

Dear Editor,      January 24, 2017

Asking for budget funding to fill billets that one knows will not be filled is irresponsible.   In addition at reputable organizations funding is routinely budgeted at a half year level for planned hires as they are normally hired throughout the year as opposed to all on day one.  

I enjoy your team’s effort to make things more transparent.  Thank you.

Cheers,

Dan Gardner

Honolulu, Oahu

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Split Honolulu into Two Counties

Aloha Hawai'i Free Press Editor:        January 21, 2017

Keep Oahu's country, country?  The Star Advertiser editorial page expended more than a column expounding on this issue, today, without coming to any real conclusion. The solution is clear: Establish a County line at the 158th Meridian on the subject island.

The new County government could conceivably establish itself in Kapolei Hale: For the express purpose of practicing the subject principles. According to our libertarians, State Legislature support, including like minded Neighbor Island legislators, will be required, to accomplish this mission. Otherwise, Oahu will eventually be 100% asphalt, and its residents will become accustomed to feeding on one another, many at the public trough, for their daily bread and shelter.

Mahalo for being here for us,

Dennis Egge

Honolulu, Oahu

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Advice to UH Manoa Chancellor Candidates--Run!

Aloha Provost Lauren K. Robel,

Honolulu, Oahu

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One-Way Streets to Alleviate Dangerous Walking Conditions?

Dear Editor,   January 2, 2017

Hawaii is such a beautiful place and like many other places it has changed tremendously over the years. Health and safety is a major concern for our Hawaii citizens, and also for those who come to visit and enjoy our home. 2016 has come and gone and 2017 is here. In 2017 there will be major challenges to address: budget, the rail, homeless, dangerous drivers, parking conditions, abandoned cars, electricity costs, and affordable homes. The future is the children, our children of today and tomorrow.

I’d like to talk about a major concern for the area I grew up in and still live in, Kalihi. The area of concern includes Kamehameha IV Road, from School Street towards the ocean. There are many many children attending schools in Kalihi and walk to school. The concerns include dangerous walking conditions.

Dangerous walking conditions are found on the walking paths on Kamehameha IV road starting at N School Street down to Saint John’s Church / School. Also included are walking areas on Kahauiki Street from Kamehameha IV road to Middle Street, and Omilo Lane from Kamehameha IV Road to Horner St. The roadways are dangerous for all pedestrians, children and adults.

On Kamehameha IV Road the pathways have signs posted not to park on footpaths. These footpaths are not always free of obstructions (i.e., cars, trash, and the city and county grey, green and blue containers). These obstructions cause pedestrians to have to step into the roadway. When it rains, there are major problems for pedestrians, in addition to the obstructions; the footpaths have big puddles, and water rushes alongside the footpaths and roadways. Pedestrians (kids and adults) have to wade the water conditions and navigate the obstructions…. Health and Safety are major concerns for our community residents who are the pedestrians too.

Parking and abandoned vehicles are a huge contributor to the concern. Unsafe driving practices, and current roadway and sidewalk design also contribute to this concern.

Here are some suggestions, for example:

1. Use one-way roads; Kamehameha Road from Kahauiki to N School Street.

a. This would allow side-walks on both sides of the road and/or

b. Sidewalk on one side with parking on the other.

2. Parking:

a. All community residents register their vehicles with the community (i.e., Kalihi, Kaimuki, Aiea, etc.). Vehicle owners provide registration, safety check, auto insurance, and valid driver permit, and are given a sticker to place on the inside of the windshield indicating the community, for a small fee. These fees could help pay for the maintenance and up keep of the communities Health and Safety Program.

b. Parking on ones own property park all the vehicles you want.

c. All vehicles parked on the street, will have a community sticker for that community.

2017 will be the year for changes that will improve the health and safety of our communities and pedestrian population, both children and adults.

Michael K. Akau Ed.D OL, MBA

Kalihi, Oahu

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Lanai residents fed up with the awful service from Ohana Air

Dear Editor:     January 2, 2016

Lanai residents are fed up with the awful service we are receiving from Ohana Air.

Many residents are afraid of complaining but its gone from bad to ridiculously bad, especially over the past week where flights were delayed for hours before they were cancelled.

My family, six of us, were going to Honolulu for two days of sightseeing. We were originally scheduled for a flight leaving Lanai at 9:58 a.m., then reassigned to a 1:58 departure time. After arriving at the airport, we were told our flight was going to be delayed until 4'ish.  We asked, politely, for refunds and got the run-around but finally received them.  My family had booked their flights with American Airlines using their miles; AA gave them full refunds for their miles and tacked on another 5,000 miles for the inconvenience! That's service!

I got the miles I used for a one way with Ohana, and was told my cash refund for the other portion would be 'pending'.

BTW, their customer service agent on the phone told me our flight was delayed "due to routine maintenance on the aircraft."  What airline operating properly would ever do routine maintenance during the Christmas holidays, yet still take reservations for it knowing they would not be able to provide a flight?

Lanai families having to leave Lanai suddenly due to medical emergencies are being charged premium fares, even when the flight is not fully booked! If we have medical appointments on Oahu and are delayed and miss them, Ohana doesn't care.

Island Air and its problems with providing service was a nightmare but Ohana's following the same route now. Lanai Airport does not have a snack shop or even a vending machine, so it is a real hardship for passengers who are stuck there for hours and hours.

All we want is reliable, on-time service and not to be gouged if we have to make last-minute bookings due to family emergencies.  Also, a non-hassle full refund for flights we cancel which are due to delays or weather conditions.  

Aloha,

Alberta de Jetley,

Lanai City, Lanai