Budget needs
reality check
Mayor Harry Kim asks for 6.9% budget increase. What? Honolulu is looking at how they can cut their budget due to expected visitor decreases as a result of the coronavirus fear. Wake up, mayor. Get a grip. You definitely need a reality check.
Cindy Whitehawk
South Kona
‘Stop-go’ signaling
could help with
traffic congestion
I am an annual visitor to Kona, so when I arrived at about 3 p.m. March 5, I was stuck in what I previously would have called an extra long line of traffic coming down Henry Street. As I got closer to Kuakini Highway, I noticed nobody was in the left-most lane and that traffic on Kuakini Highway itself was backed up into the Henry-Kuakini intersection in the right lane.
After the second signal phase, I was finally able to get into the far left-turn lane, which had “always” been the lane to occupy for my intended destination.
It was only until I got to the Hualalai Road intersection that I realized I was in the wrong lane, as it was now a left-turn only lane, and the reason for the traffic congestion that was never as bad as it is now.
The left lane used to be the through lane with the right lane being a right turn only, and with an auxiliary lane for the left—turning traffic. The configuration now has basically made the left most lane coming off Henry Street an extension to the left turn only lane at Hualalai. This current configuration has dramatically reduced capacity.
I would strongly advise the county return to the left-turn auxiliary lane with the left lane being the through lane and the right lane being a through and right turn lane. To facilitate the “zipper action” that would have to take place in the intersection, use an alternating “stop-go” signaling (similar to the ones the metropolitan areas use at freeway on ramps where two lanes must merge into one prior to entering the freeway) during the Kuakini Highway southbound signal phase at the Hualalai intersection.
Michael Lavering
Richland, Washington
Reduce drunken driving,
increase minimum BAC
In response to Mr. Jackson Shedelbower’s Feb. 27 My Turn: New legislation does not address traffic safety in Hawaii:
I can see why a proposed 40% BAC reduction would be a concern to the American Beverage Institute. Understandably, their assertion is based on a need to protect the beverage industry’s well-being.
I, for one, believe that the current law on 0.08 BAC (blood alcohol content) is not sufficient.
In that, I agree with the proposed legislation to reduce 0.08 to 0.05.
Some deluded drivers perceive that they can reasonably handle BAC of 0.08 and higher — perhaps up to 0.20. A BAC limit of 0.05 may cause some drivers to perceive that they can reasonably handle BAC 0.05 and higher — perhaps to 0.13. A reduction in perception may subconsciously help driving and traffic safety.
Drunken driving is a public endangerment issue. Drunken driving or distracted driving has caused collisions or crashes. Unfortunate circumstances have caused many innocent fatalities or serious injuries. A very good purpose of the proposed legislation may help enforcement.
Catching driving under influence drivers sooner than later is morally correct.
Harold Murata
Kealakekua
