Tickets should educate speeders
Please let me jump into the discussion about police issuing tickets for speeding and seat belts. Why do I not feel sorry for people getting such tickets? Why is their whining ridiculous?
Let’s look at some statistics: In 2012, the Big Island had 38 traffic-related deaths and 1,458 major traffic accidents; in the same year there were five murders and 421 violent crimes. Looking at that data, where would you rather have the police spend their time? Preventing death and injury by roaming around trying to predict where murders and violent crimes might take place, or cruising highways and setting up speed checks in places where accidents are known to happen? So my answer to the question of “don’t the cops have something better to do?” is “NO, keep catching those speeders (locals or tourists) who are making our roads unsafe for me, my family and friends.”
How much education does someone need to know what the speed limit is or to properly wear a seat belt? It makes you wonder if such clueless people know the difference between the gas and the brake pedals.
And those of you who flash your lights to warn oncoming traffic that a police car is waiting for speeders, cut it out and let the police catch them. A costly speeding ticket may be what it takes to educate speeders and help keep our roads safer. Set your cruise control to the speed limit, then relax and enjoy our island scenery and your radio.
Richard Ainsworth
Waikoloa
Hunting, gathering hearing coming to Hilo
A filing on behalf of all hunters and gatherers of all races in the state of Hawaii has got a hearing on Jan. 22 at 8:30 a.m. in Third Circuit Court in Hilo with Judge Glenn Hara. This hearing is about the fencing of thousands of acres in the Ka‘u Forest Reserve. The fencing project is part of an ongoing project by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has taken millions of acres of public lands for science and the killing of subsistence animals, which has been part of generation subsistence life style from Hawaiians to citizens present in the state of Hawaii. This case will affect all islands because of its claims that has impacted everyone.
The Pele Defense Fund and all the support statewide by hunters and gatherers will have their voice heard about the concerns for years that have been ignored. Hunters and gatherers should co-exists.
Terri L. Napeahi
Hilo