Lower the speed limit
I’ve noticed a correlation between the increased Daniel K. Inouye Highway speed limit, a reduction in Hawaii Police Department traffic enforcement, and an increase in fatalities on this highway.
I was an ardent supporter of increasing the speed limit from 55 mph to 60 mph back in 2017, but I am having second thoughts about it.
This increase in fatalities also coincided with a reduction in HPD speed enforcement on the highway since 2019. I remember seeing much more of a police presence prior to 2019 versus after 2019.
As a result, drivers are treating this highway as a unrestrained autobahn, resulting in an increase in traffic fatalities.
I strongly believe HPD needs to step up traffic enforcement on the highway, and the state Department of Transportation should restore the speed limit from 60 mph to 50-55 mph on segments that were adjusted.
Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona
Let’s try compassion
I have a few comments about Henry Zendar’s letter (Sunday, June 18, “Homeless and drugs”) where he expounded on the fentanyl and homeless situation.
He should know that U.S. borders are not anymore open now than they were before the Biden administration and since the Emergency Quota Act imposed the first serious border restrictions in 1921.
Legality has little relevance when it comes to dealing with the fentanyl or any other drug issue.
The “war on drugs” begun in 1971 and incarcerated masses of people who manufactured, sold and used drugs, and obviously didn’t work. Does anyone besides Mr. Zendar seriously believe that people who use drugs and become addicted do so as a choice?
As for denigrating the ACLU, their mission statement is as follows: “The American Civil Liberties Union is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.”
Are the homeless and addicts an exception?
It’s easy to say “put the homeless somewhere away from the public.” That’s not dealing with the situation in a useful way for anyone.
In my opinion, there should be teams of experts on medical, mental health and other issues out in the streets helping people on an individual basis. I’m pretty sure that every person and situation is different, requiring an individualized approach. Blanket, simple, one-answer solutions to these problems won’t accomplish anything, nor will pushing them aside and ignoring them.
Mr. Zendar only speaks about himself and what affects his life. Can’t we all practice compassion and empathy? That’s what much of the human experience should be about.
Besides, someday you may need help due to unforeseen circumstances.
Karen Cooper
Hilo