Hawaii does not have to be a pedestrian deathtrap—let’s demand changes at the top

"A typical traffic signal is not appropriate for the crosswalk because it is close to the heavily traveled Castle Junction intersection at Pali and Kamehameha highways, and because the area in front of HPU did not meet the minimum requirement of five pedestrian "incidents" in a 12-month period"—Department of Transportation spokesman Dan Meisenzahl

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by Larry Geller

I used the same pullquote in Confirmed: Hawaii requires human sacrifice before installing traffic signals (11/22/2011). It just keeps coming back to me as I check out intersections or simply walk or drive around Honolulu. As I see a car turning right even though there is a little sign (and “little” is the operative word here) that clearly says “No Right Turn on Red” I wonder if the intersection has racked up enough “incidents” to justify a larger or more effective warning sign.

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Hey ... read this:

Figures Show Pedestrian Safety Initiative is Working

Data recently presented by the Transportation and Police departments to CountyStat indicate that -- thanks to County Executive Ike Leggett’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative -- pedestrian collisions and the severity of collisions are heading downward. The initiative was released in December 2007.

One of the biggest successes of the Initiative has been the Safe Routes to School program where engineering improvements, bolstered by education and enforcement actions, at more than 50 schools have reduced pedestrian collisions by about 78 percent when comparing collision statistics from three years before the improvements with the time period after the improvements.

A key strategy of the Pedestrian Safety Initiative is also to target engineering, education and enforcement activities on County roadways with the highest number of pedestrian collisions, or the High Incidence Areas (HIAs). Since the first HIA safety audit was conducted in 2008, HIA collisions, as a percent of total pedestrian collisions in the County, have decreased from 10 percent to four percent in 2010.

CountyStat conducts periodic reviews of the components of the Pedestrian Safety Initiative that have played a critical and valuable role in the program to ensure that effective strategies are being employed to improve pedestrian safety.

No, that description is not from anyplace in Hawaii. It’s a county report from Maryland.

Notice:

• They have a Pedestrian Safety Initiative
• They use engineering, education and enforcement strategies
• They have a safety audit
• They conduct periodic reviews of the Initiative
• The objective is to improve pedestrian safety

After several years testifying at the Legislature or working with different groups to reduce the carnage on Honolulu’s streets and roads, I have come to one firm conclusion:

It is time for the management of our state and county departments of transportation to decide they need to spend more time with their families.

(I learned this approach from our Governor.)

Perhaps throw in law enforcement that refuses to enforce laws protecting pedestrians in or out of the crosswalks.

Why such harsh words for our civil servants?

• Because we don’t have a Pedestrian Safety Initiative that reduces death and injuries
• Because Hawaii remains at the top of the list nationwide for pedestrian deaths in the older demographic year after year
• Because our engineering and maintenance (signs, signals, crosswalks, road design, etc.) sucks
• Because there is no enforcement of the traffic laws
• Because it seems that pedestrian or bicyclist deaths or injuries are not a state or city priority

Thirty-one States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico had reductions in the number of traffic fatalities in 2010 when compared to 2009, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report released last Thursday. Hawaii was not among those 31 states. Hawaii’s traffic fatalities increased 3.7% in that time. By that and other measures, whatever Hawaii is doing, if anything, is not working.

Let’s examine the problem in more detail.

°  We don’t have a Pedestrian Safety Initiative that reduces death and injuries

In fact, we do next to nothing to reduce death and injuries (nothing effective, that is).

At best, we apply solutions (after, it seems, sufficient “incidents” are recorded) on a one-off basis. There is no program in place that will effectively reduce death and injury. Year after year the numbers put Hawaii at the top of senior citizen deaths, for example. The statistics simply appear in the newspaper, are forgotten after a few days, and then we wait for next year’s numbers. There’s no magic that makes the numbers go down. Either we do something or the carnage continues.

It’s about time that DOT and HPD were held accountable, that they put a program with measurements and controls in place, and yes, that there be consequences for not achieving reasonable success as measured by reasonable improvement.

I’m sure that there are transportation engineers in Maryland who would love to have job offers to work in Honolulu. Or elsewhere. Dear Governor: you can find someone who can do the job I hope.

Far from having a pro-active program, it appears that neither DOT nor the police take adequate action even when trouble spots are identified. As an example, there was a similar flurry of brief attention around a Makaha “incident.” Like the recent death of a student at HPU, it faded rapidly from press attention:

Neither [newspaper] story mentioned that the DOT knew of the dangers of this crosswalk but has failed to take measures to protect pedestrians. In August 2001 a flashing crosswalk system was installed at that intersection according to this article, but the system was later removed. The installation was described in a DOT press release.

The AARP survey conducted in May 2006 and released in August included monitoring of an intersection near Waianae High School (pictured above), which is one or two away from the Alawa Place scene of the fatal accident. AARP found (at the crosswalk they monitored, which was controlled by traffic signals) that "drivers do not obey traffic signals," that drivers "seem to be speeding," that "car speeds are too fast." The monitors observed "unsafe driver behavior." The monitors also found problems with crossing lights that were too short for people of normal physical ability and other major problems at the nearby intersection they monitored.

The same drivers who speed through the nearby monitored intersection zoom through the Alawa Place intersection, it seems.

Since the publication of the study it appears that the DOT has done nothing to improve the unsafe conditions identified by the AARP. At testimony at the State Capitol, the best DOT could do was to ask for $1 million dollars to hire a consultant for a study that would delay action until 2010.

[Makaha death underlines failure of police, Dept. of Transportation, to protect citizens, 2/28/2007]

We’ll get to enforcement issues later.

DOT’s request to legislators for $1 million for a study was arbitrary and capricious. They did not have quotes from consultants in their pockets. There is no plan, folks, other than continued employment of ineffective public officials.

It’s not as though there have not been consultants reports. Here’s a report from 2004. I was amused to see that it recognized Honolulu’s problem right at the top:

Beyond Information. Intelligence

I think that’s the slogan of SMS, the firm that did the research, but it describes the Hawaii attitude quite well interpreted as it is written.

The report included this graph of survey responses, for example, on the subject of crosswalk timing (click for larger):

So in 2004, DOT (state and county) knew that 55-57% of participants in this group agreed that older walkers do not have enough time to get across the street. So what did DOT do with this information?

At the legislative testimony where DOT officials asked for their million bucks for someone to tell them what to do, they responded to a question about short crosswalk timing by reporting that they planned to install pedestrian signals with countdown timers. There’s no opportunity at these hearings for the public to react. Many of us in the audience were incredulous. Did they think countdown timers will help Granny cross faster? Now the countdown timers are in place, but they have not cured anyone’s arthritis that I am aware of.

Here’s a personal anecdote. I was crossing Beretania St. one bright sunny day. Ahead of me was an older man, walking with a cane. Part way across he dropped something—it looked like an eyeglass case. He turned around to look at it, and I saw the panic on his face. Should he bend down to pick it up and risk getting hit by cars later, or should he abandon it and not risk his life? I went toward him to assist as he did bend down to slowly pick it up, then the two of us proceeded across. I walked with him at his speed. Of course, the light changed to green well before we got to the other side. The cars waited patiently. That time.

° Our engineering and maintenance (signs, signals, crosswalks, road design, etc.) sucks

“When you cross in a crosswalk with a light, cars will stop 99% of the time. When you cross on a street that just has a crosswalk, cars don’t stop for several reasons. One, the crosswalks aren’t painted properly, and many are in very poor condition. Two, they don’t have signs pointing that there are crosswalks in the area… The signs will stay in better condition than the paint on the road.”

“Crosswalks can be anywhere. Sometimes the markings wear off and there’s no sign showing that there’s one there.”

“When it rains, you can’t see the crosswalks with the lights.”

“You know, you can’t see crosswalks at night. They should use luminous material.”

The crosswalks on Pali and on King Street without lights are simply death traps. Yet neither the city nor the state has solved the problem. Putting your body in front of cars and expecting them to stop is like playing Russian roulette.

Honolulu’s crosswalks simply disappear. Driving in the rain through Chinatown the other day, we noticed pedestrians waiting timidly on the sidewalk, not stepping out into the street to cross when they could have. Why? Perhaps it was because there was no visible crosswalk for them to use.

I went back today to photograph the intersection, on Nuuanu Avenue.

I’m standing on the sidewalk to take this picture. From the road, in moderate rain, with a wet windshield, the small scraps of paint over on the left and right were were totally invisible. Note that the crosswalk at the right is beginning to disappear.

Here’s another crosswalk in Chinatown, on my way back home:

Here’s a lane on the Pali near town. Is that right lane turn-only, or is it turn-and-you-can-go-straight-too?  Can’t tell. The pavement marking is totally gone, and a bus blocks the sign that says you can also go straight. A driver could easily be confused. Pedestrian safety is not boosted by confusing drivers.

This crosswalk, from an earlier article, was gone already, and the pedestrian walk signal at the far side was at that time almost invisible:

This next pic is a Google Earth image of the bicycle path that runs down the middle of Metcalf Street starting at the University of Hawaii. It was taken by their satellite at a time when there was some paint on the street. There’s even a bike or motor scooter in the lane.

But one day while I sat inside the late Volcano Joe’s at that corner, I noticed that there was no longer any paint on the bike path. The pic above shows brightly painted street markings, but much of the time the reality is different. Now, what is a bike path without any paint? It isn’t a bike path any longer. Indeed, bicyclists were proceeding down Metcalf in middle of the road. Well, somewhere near the middle of the road. Aside from the insanity of placing a bike path there in the first place is the compounded insanity of allowing the paint to disappear, or to fail to replace it after road work.

I don’t know if anyone was ever injured as a result of the missing bike path. If they were, it would have been good reason to fire someone at DOT on the spot. Same for anyone injured in a disappeared crosswalk. The missing paint problems go on year after year after year.

Google Earth will show you that there are plenty of places around the world where intersections are brightly painted. I’ve published several snaps of Tokyo intersections, as examples. Not only do they remain painted even through some really bad weather, but the reflecting crystals (additives to paint that reflect headlights back to the driver) really work, and the patterns painted on roadways actually assist drivers in staying in lane and stopping at the correct point while turning.

Aside from continual paint and road maintenance problems, Honolulu signage is often inadequate or ineffective.

Above is one of the two little “No turn on red” signs, as an example, at the intersection of Punahou and Nehoa. Despite the signs, drivers often make that right turn on red anyway. I’m confident that if I asked DOT about it they would point out that there are signs there. Waddayawant? Never mind that they are not effective. There could be larger signs, blinking lights, colors, or even one of those international signs with the red crossed-out circle.

Speaking of red crossed-out circle signs, I’ve seen many where the red has completely bleached out, not only making the sign ineffective, but making it look like the turn is permitted. Probably, inferior paint was used. Were the signs replaced? No. Never mind that the defective signage might cause what DOT calls an “incident.”

Bottom line on the Punahou and similar signage (Nehoa at Pensacola, another example) is that the signs don’t work. They’ve been there for years, have not worked for years, and nothing different will be done. If officials were held accountable for some kind of Pedestrian Safety Initiative (that is, if their jobs depended on it), we might have effective signs in Honolulu.

One of my pet peeves is either street name signs which are absent or street signs where the letters have bleached off making them unreadable. I have strained to figure out where I am on more than one occasion. I see other drivers ahead of me stopping in intersections sometimes trying to find or read illegible signs. No doubt there are a couple of “incidents” attributable to other drivers racing around them as they start moving again. Anything that competes for a driver’s attention is hazardous. We have no shortage of missing or hazardous signage in this town.

° Hawaii remains at the top of the list nationwide for pedestrian deaths in the older demographic

Hawaii ranks around fifth in the country in per-capita pedestrian deaths (depending on the year), and consistently has been at the top in the older demographic. Senior citizens are being picked off even in crosswalks. It’s not that officials don’t know about this. There is actually something called a “strategic plan” posted on a University of Hawaii website with the shameful statistics:

Hawaii had the fifth highest pedestrian fatality rate from traffic crashes in the United States over the 2001-2005 period, and by far the highest rate among senior-aged pedestrians (65 years and older). The 5-year rate for Hawaii senior-aged pedestrians (40.2 deaths/100,000 senior-aged residents) was nearly 3 times higher than that for the rest of the United States (14.1). A total of 150 pedestrians were killed in Hawaii over the 2001-2005 period, accounting for 22 percent of all traffic-related fatalities. In addition to the 30 pedestrians who are killed each year in the State, another 540 are involved in major traffic crashes. Senior pedestrians have the highest rates of fatal injuries, but the highest rates for non-fatal pedestrian crashes were computed for 5 to 19 year age range, with especially high rates among 10 to 14 year-olds.

Hawaii had the second highest average annual fatality rate for bicyclists (4.5 deaths/million residents) in the country from 2001-2005, nearly twice that for the rest of the States (2.4). There were 29 deaths from 2001-2005, representing 4 percent of all traffic-related fatalities. While there was no trend in the annual number of fatal injuries, the number of bicyclists involved in non-fatal crashes generally increased, from 280 in 2001 to 329 in 2005.

[Hawaii Strategic Highway Safety Plan 2007 thru 2012]

This “plan” is like others for improving education or reducing the incidence of homelessness—it is unsupported with resources or any significant backing. It has cute pictures but is otherwise not terribly useful—a plan is no substitute for actual effort or achievement.

°  There is no enforcement of the traffic laws

Did you know that there was a “Cops in Crosswalks” program that came with federal money?

This article from August 2010 describes how New Jersey towns have put plainclothes police at intersections as part of a sting. The $200 fine or threat of a fine apparently did wonders to bring understanding and compliance with the new laws.

In Honolulu, on the other hand, I have seen, and no doubt you have also, drivers failing to stop before making right turns on red, cutting in front of pedestrians while yakking on their cell phones. No cop is ever in sight. At the intersection of Vineyard Blvd. and Nuuanu Avenue, flagged in an AARP survey as one of the most dangerous intersections, I have never seen police enforcing the traffic laws. Motorists know this. Frequently during rush hours, as the light turns yellow, they pile into and block the intersection, making it impossible for pedestrians in wheelchairs or scooters to cross safely at all. A friend was knocked off his scooter there. It was fortunately not one of those fatal “incidents.” (I wonder if it counts, then?).

There are cameras installed that show what’s going on. Why doesn’t HPD watch them and take action?

Pedestrians do think drivers should be ticketed. From the survey (click for larger):

That’s 73-74% of pedestrians who think drivers should be ticketed. Almost everyone thinks drivers should stop. Put it together. Drivers are not being ticketed.

Bottom line on enforcement—except for issuing pedestrian tickets after an “incident,” HPD does not enforce traffic laws. Drivers know this. Red light running is common. There are neither cops nor cameras, hence no disincentive to just run through the light. Sometimes a driver will sail through even two seconds after the light has turned red.

This also goes on year after year after year. If HPD does not enforce traffic laws, they are not protecting pedestrians.
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° It seems that pedestrian or bicyclist deaths or injuries are not a state or city priority

Here’s a snip of the hedges that used to line a section of the median on Ala Moana Blvd. across from Ala Moana Park—pre APEC.

There is quite a distance between crosswalks, so that pedestrians (tourists maybe, but also residents) are tempted to jaywalk. The continuous, if dead, hedges prevented that.

They were removed, so that Honolulu would not be embarrassed should APEC visitors see them.

To heck with keeping pedestrians safe.

Hedges (in fancy neighborhoods) or ugly chicken-wire fences (such as near Mayor Wright houses along Vineyard) are used to discourage jaywalking and the carnage that can result especially at night. But for no really worthwhile purpose, pedestrian safety was sacrificed by the Abercrombie administration so that we might look a bit more spiffy for our APEC visitors. (By the way, the grass is already dying at spots along that median. Remember: we don’t believe in maintenance here.)

Let’s throw the media into this as well. When the HPU student was killed, the story ran for a couple of days. There was the mandatory photo of the flowers placed at the spot, and the interviews with family and friends.

Dear newspaper and TV stations: There are “incidents” most any day. Where are you? Why do you not question DOT and HPD officials about the design of the intersections and the lack of enforcement? Why don’t you ask when was the last time HPD placed officers at that deadly crosswalk? Why do the media publicize the victim end of it and the flurry of jaywalking tickets that follows, but not follow the drivers who kill or maim? What happens to them? Does anyone ever sue the city or state for the poor conditions that contributed to the “incident?”

Do our news organizations also need a death before they report? It seems that way.

Last, let’s look at ourselves. In order to get improvement we will have to do more than say “too bad, very sad” when reading about the HPU student. She died in part because we have been sitting home expecting Santa to give us the gift of safer streets. It won’t happen. Safer streets will have to be fought for.

AARP could occupy the Department of Transportation, for example, or even the Governor’s office. Whatever works.

Hawaii’s high senior pedestrian death toll is earned, it does not happen by chance. It can be reversed. To a large extent we have become complacent and do not demand improvement.

I started this article with an example of a Maryland initiative that brought results. Other states and municipalities have also shown success. Why not Hawaii? Why not Honolulu?

Perhaps this can be reversed. Perhaps the Occupy movement could be an example. It’s about time we made some noise about this, or occupied someplace, or demanded that ineffective officials be replaced by those who can protect us 99% who like to walk, run, or bike in Honolulu and expect that the city and state will do what is required to keep us safe.

"Coupez-leur la tête" That would be from Alice in Wonderland in French (the book has some parallels with Hawaii, to be sure, but I was looking for what people might have shouted during the French Revolution). The French didn’t settle for just sending people home to spend more time with their families, but the main idea would be to put new people in place who can do the job. For Hawaii, it would be truly revolutionary.
“Off with their heads”

Al Jazeera: Recession snatches retirement from America's workers

November 28 Program: James Koshiba, Dir. Kanu Hawaii: “Advocacy in the 21st Century”

Monday, November 28, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church
Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.                                              

Agenda:

11:30   Luncheon: Various Subway Sandwiches, Salad, and Dessert by Marilyn—$5.00 Donation

11:45   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00   Program: Speaker; James Koshiba, Dir. Kanu Hawaii: “Advocacy in the 21st Century.”

12:20   Questions and Answers

1:00    Adjourn 

End-of-Life Expert Barbara Coombs Lee In Honolulu Wed 11/16 2 p.m. Harris Church

by Larry Geller

Ok, APEC is almost over. Back to the important stuff. Here is a chance to hear and speak with an expert on choice and empowerment, Barbara Coombs Lee, President of Compassion & Choices. Lee is the person who championed and became Chief Petitioner for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act.

Come to a forum entitled "Hawaii Physicians Can Already Provide Aid in Dying"

The forum is sponsored by Compassion & Choices Hawaii and co-sponsored by the Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i and the Kokua Council.

What: Hawaii Physicians Can Already Provide Aid in Dying

Who: Barbara Coombs Lee, President of Compassion & Choices

When: Wednesday, November 16th, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Harris United Methodist Church

20 South Vineyard (Vineyard at Nuuanu)

Plenty of free parking. Enter via the first driveway on the left on Nuuanu.

Compassion & Choices is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit advocating for better end-of-life care. The theme of the forum is that the constellation of Hawai`i statutes gives its citizens broad autonomy over their end-of-life decisions, including aid in dying.

Barbara recently appeared on the national television show, The Dr. Oz Show,"Do You Have the Right to End Your Own Life?" and has been invited by Dr. Oz to be a partner and collaborator in Sharecare, a platform for consumers to obtain answers from renowned experts.

Barbara Coombs Lee, PA, FNP, JD, practiced as a nurse and physician’s assistant for 25 years before beginning a career in law and health policy. She has since devoted her professional life to individual choice and empowerment in health care. As a private attorney, counsel to the Oregon State Senate, a managed care executive, and finally as a Chief Petitioner for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, she has championed initiatives that enable individuals to consider a complete range of choices and be full participants in their health care decisions.

October 24 Meeting: Annual Community Forum

Click here to listen. Or try this media player:

Download this Media File - (Right Click)

On October 24, Kokua Council held its 8th Annual Community Forum, themed: “Be Part of the Solution.” The program began with a panel of issue leaders and was followed by a series of panels presenting needs of non-profits, service providers and administrators. At the end, participants voted on top issues. This process is step 1 in determiningg Kokua Council's 2010 legislative priorities.

The issue panel: Rep. John Mizuno, Bob Nakata (Faith Action for Community Equity), Alex Santiago (PHOCUSED), Elizabeth Bethea (Elderly Affairs Division, City & County of Honolulu), Rep. Barbara Marumoto, and Steve Tam (AARP).

October 24 Program: 8th Annual Community Forum

8^TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FORUM

Be a Part of the Solution

Please join us for lunch. Public is Invited

Free (donation only if you would like lunch)

Monday, October 24, 2011, 11:30-1:30 p.m. (extended session)

THE HARRIS METHODIST CHURCH

Miyama Main Hall

Nuuanu and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking-driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

11:30  Lunch: Various pizzas, salad, drinks, dessert, $5.00 donation

11:45  Welcome:  Introductions and remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00  Program:

· Panel: Legislator, Government Administrator, Private Sector & Advocate

· Representatives of organizations & advocacy groups involved with seniors will present needs/concerns/issues that can be helped legislatively or by other means

· Vote on the top issues—Step 1 in deciding Kokua Council’s 2012 legislative priorities

Caregiver support, DISCHARGE PLANNING, HOMELESS CONCERNS, UNEMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC ACCESS TO INSPECTIONS, FINANCIAL CRISIS, RETIREE BENEFITS

September 26 Program: Rep. Tom Brower, District 23, Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako— “Sustaining the Gateway to Hawai`i, Present Problems, Future Vision;”

PLEASE JOIN US FOR LUNCH

Monday, September 26, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church

Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd. 

Agenda:

11:30   Luncheon: Various Subway Sandwiches, Salad, and Dessert by Pat—$5.00 Donation

11:45   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00   Program: Speaker, Rep. Tom Brower, District 23, Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako—

“Sustaining the Gateway to Hawai`i, Present Problems, Future Vision;” Though our Waikiki neighbors represent less than 3% of the state's population, they live in the state's greatest economic resource, with nearly 85,000 daily visitors and 30,000 workers. Over 160,000 jobs are directly and indirectly affected by visitor expenditures.

12:20   Questions and Answers

1:00    Adjourn

“Find Help” phone list now available

by Larry Geller

This is an incredible resource. Download your copy now from their website..

Mental Health America of Hawaii put together this 24-page detailed list of all kinds of services, but it’s not limited to mental health. There’s immigration, housing, job training, jail and prison services, and lots more. For each, there is contact information including phone numbers and email or website addresses.

You can keep the list on your computer without printing, of course, but you may want to print a copy for someone you know who may not have a computer.

Check it out.

August 22 Program: Update on federal programs

Monday, August 22, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church
Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30   Luncheon: Various pizzas, Salad, and Dessert by Marilyn—$5.00 Donation

11:45   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00 Program: Updates on federal programs including a new respite grant, Dr. Wes Lum, Director, Executive Office on Aging

12:20 Questions and Answers

1:00    Adjourn

Kokua Council supports group opposing Social Security and Medicare cuts

Kokua Council is the only organization in Hawaii to join the Strengthen Social Security Coalition. The Coalition, with  over 300 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans, opposes the cuts that President Obama and Congress are discussion to both Social Security and Medicare.

Below is new release issued by SSSC on Friday, July 22, 2011.

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35 National Disabilities Groups Representing Millions of Americans Urge President Obama & Congress Not to Cut Social Security Benefits

Groups Send Letters Opposing Changes to COLA Formula that Would Result in Significant Benefit Cuts

Washington, DC — Two leading disability group coalitions – the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and the National Disability Leadership Alliance– sent letters to President Obama and to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate recently, urging them to oppose any effort to reduce the Social Security and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) by adopting the chained consumer price index (CPI) formula during debt-ceiling negotiations.

The letters, which were signed by a total of 35 organizations, identified specific and significant cuts to benefits that would occur in programs that people with disabilities greatly depend on – Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income – should the chained CPI be used to calculate the annual COLA. Those cuts are detailed in this fact sheet.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities letter said: “Although some might describe use of the “chained” CPI as a mere technical change, it will likely have dramatic impacts on current and future Social Security beneficiaries. For a beneficiary receiving the average Disability Insurance benefit, benefits would be cut by $333 per year (2.6%) after 10 years, $692 (5.4%) after 20 years, and $1,710 per year (13.34%) after 50 years. These cuts could be devastating and force people to make terrible life and death choices between paying for a prescription or buying food.”

The National Disability Leadership Alliance letter said: “For many of these citizens, changing the COLA formula this way will mean taking them one step closer to a life below the poverty level. Rather than finding ways to decrease the COLA, our country should increase it to better reflect such realities as the higher out-of-pocket health care costs experienced by people with disabilities and seniors.”

July 25 Program: Affordable Housing

Monday, July 25, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church

Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30           Luncheon: Various Sub Sandwiches, Salad, and Dessert by Marilyn—$5.00 Donation

11:45           Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00   Program: “Affordable Housing,” Sam Moku, New Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services and Elizabeth Bethea, Elderly Affairs Division.

12:20           Questions and Answers

1:00             Adjourn

Obama states: No Guarantee of Social Security Checks if Talks Fail

by Larry Geller

For Hawaii seniors, the debt ceiling squabble over in Washington, DC may seem far away and unrelated.

It’s possible it will come home to us, and hard. This is from today’s Democracy Now headlines:

Obama: No Guarantee of Social Security Checks if Talks Fail

Speaking to CBS News, President Obama said he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will be mailed out if an agreement fails.

Scott Pelley: Can you tell the folks at home that no matter what happens, the Social Security checks are gonna go out on August the third? There are about $20 billion worth of Social Security checks that have to go out the day after the government is supposedly gonna go into default?

President Obama: "Well, this is not just a matter of Social Security checks. These are veterans’ checks, these are folks on disability, and their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out each month."

Pelley: "Can you guarantee, as president, those checks will go out on August the third?"

Obama: "I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August third if we haven’t resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it."

The original content of this program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

June 22 Program: “The Good, Bad and Ugly”–note date change for June meeting

POST SESSION LEGISLATIVE FORUM

 

“THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY”

HEAR ASSESSMENT OF THE 2011 SESSION BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 2012 SESSION

 

Wednesday, June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon

 

Hawai`i State Capitol, Room 325

 

WHAT: Key legislators will offer their perspective of the session and ideas for the next session. After their presentations, any member of the audience can suggest issues of concern for consideration in the 2012 session.

 

To register: Call Laura Manis, 597-8838 or e-mail manis@lava.net by June 19.

 

Sponsored by: Hawai`i Alliance for Retired Americans and Kokua Council

 

A continental breakfast and light lunch will be provided FREE.

Seniors future tapped to keep government going

by Larry Geller

Well, where did you think the government was going to get funds to keep running after it hit the debt ceiling last week? Here’s where the money will come from:

Now that it has finally been made clear that in order to accommodate the debt ceiling by adding marketable debt, the Treasury has no choice but to literally plunder retirement accounts, we now know that in order to fit in the just announced $110 billion in new bond issuance over the next week, Tim Geithner will have to reduce US retirement funding (the bulk of which, the Social Security Trust Fund already lost $1.1 trillion in the past year) by at least $45 billion.

[Zero Hedge, Treasury Prepares To Plunder Another $45 Billion From Retirement Funds As It Issues $110 Billion More Debt Next Week, 5/19/2011]

So the Treasury has “no choice” but to plunder retirement accounts, which are the life contributions of workers expecting to retire on Social Security.

Conveniently, later Republicans can say that Social Security is failing.

Unfortunately, while they salivate at the chance to privatize Social Security to “fix” it, but what will they plunder next time if it’s privatized?

Will seniors, 59% of whom now vote Republican, keep returning these bandits to office?

Maybe a special election just concluded in upper New York State provides a straw on which to grasp—the Democrat won in what is described as an upset victory. Recognizing a spark of hope, President Obama himself grasped for it:

"I want to extend my congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Kathy Hochul for her victory," President Barack Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

"Kathy and I both believe that we need to create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce the deficit in order to outcompete other nations and win the future," the president added. "I look forward to working with her when she gets to Washington.

[AFP, Democrats score upset victory in NY election, 5/24/2011]

If seniors want to protect their Social Security and Medicare benefits, they might consider changing their loyalties in the 2012 election. It just doesn’t compute to elect representatives who turn on the voters who put them there.

May 23 Program: “The War on Women”

by Larry Geller

“PLEASE JOIN US FOR LUNCH”

Monday, May 23 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church

Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.
Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30   Luncheon: Various Sub Sandwiches, Salad, and Dessert by Marilyn—$5.00 Donation

 

11:55   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00   Program: “THE WAR ON WOMEN” Ann Freed, Independent Government Relations Professional, Co-Chair Hawaii Women’s Coalition, past legal aide, Hawaii State Legislature, and Debbie Shimizu, Governor’s Legislative Liaison.

12:20   Questions and Answers

1:00    Adjourn  

April 25 Program: “June 17 is the 40th Birthday of the War on Drugs—What You Can Do to End 40 Years of Failure”

Monday, April 25, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church

Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30 Luncheon: Various Pizzas, Salad, and Dessert  by Lyn Moku—$5.00 Donation

11:45   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00 Program:   “June 17 is the 40th Birthday of the War on   Drugs—What You  Can Do to End 40 Years of Failure” Guest Speaker Jeanne Ohta, Executive Director, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii

12:20 Questions and Answers

1:00 Adjourn 

Republicans aim big guns at Medicare and Medicaid

by Larry Geller

This tweet just in, from Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner

If this guy is scared, I figure I should be scared. Checking it out, I found this headline story from this morning’s Democracy Now:

GOP Proposes Sweeping Changes to Medicare & Medicaid

In news from Capitol Hill, Republican House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan is set to outline a budget plan today that would cut more than $4 trillion from federal spending over the next decade and make sweeping changes to the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. Medicare now pays most of the healthcare bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans. The Wall Street Journal reports Ryan’s plan would essentially end Medicare as a program that directly pays those bills. Healthcare advocates say the proposal would shift more healthcare costs to older Americans, while the block grant proposal for Medicaid would lead to reduced benefits and make fewer people eligible for the program. Ryan appeared on Fox News Sunday this week.

Rep. Paul Ryan: "Medicare itself, literally, crowds out all other government spending at the end of the day. We can’t sustain that. We have got to get Medicare solvent."

The original content of this program is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

They say that “seniors vote.” It seems that just voting may not be enough. Without action between elections, those that we have put in office will take away everything we have.

 

February 28 program: “Challenges for the Elderly in Hard Times”

 

Monday, February 28, 2011
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church
Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30   Luncheon: Various Pizzas, Salad, and Dessert by Marilyn—$5.00 Donation

11:45   Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00    Program: “Challenges for the Elderly in Hard Times.” Dr. Wes Lum, New Director of the Executive Office on Aging

Dr. Lum formerly headed the Caregiver Coalition among other responsibilities involving the elderly, and was an active Board Member of Kokua Council. He was recently appointed by Governor Neal Abercrombie to be the New Director of The Executive Office on Aging.

12:20      Questions and Answers

1:00    Adjourn

January 24 Meeting: Joy Vadao, St. Francis Palliative Care

NOTES FROM JANUARY LUNCHEON: Joy Yadao, St. Francis Palliative Care

Palliative care at St. Francis differs from Hospice Care and is not just pain relief any more. It is for anyone with a serious illness who wants to make sure that whatever future the rest of their lives may hold, someone will be there to help them be comfortable and be at peace. Care can be provided at any stage of an illness and at the same time as curative treatment. A team consisting of a doctor, social worker, nurse and minister after referral from your family physician will consult with the patient and family wherever the patient is, including all health care settings.

The goals are to enhance the quality of life for the patient and family and help them understand and discuss life decisions. At present, there is no waiting list and St. Francis Healthcare System absorbs the cost. Call 547-8068 for more information.

The Kupuna Caucus has introduced the following bills to help support the cost.

SB941, HB512, Palliative Care, Requires policies of accident and health or sickness insurance to provide coverage for palliative care. Defines palliative care.

January meeting: Palliative Care

PLEASE JOIN US FOR LUNCH

Monday, January 24, 2011

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church

Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:

11:30 Luncheon: Various Subway Sandwiches, Salad, and Dessert—$5.00 Donation

11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00 Program: Joy Yadao, St. Francis Palliative Care: What palliative care services are provided, who gets them, what kind of expansion has been done at St. Francis, how it has helped patients and families.

12:20 Questions and Answers

12:30 Preparation for Advocacy

12:45 Election of Officers and Board Members

1:00 Adjourn

Mufi denied senior bus riders seating, will Peter Carlisle give it back?

by Larry Geller

I’m not as young as I used to be, but I still stand and give my seat to older folks or to those who need to sit down. This morning, while waiting for a bus, I did just that. I had been sitting in the shelter on one of the concrete toadstools that the Mufi administration installed to “solve” part of his problem with homeless people.

I offered my seat to an older woman with a cane, but she couldn’t sit there. She said that she was just too wide to sit on such a tiny concrete stool. She said it had hurt badly when she tried it. She waits for a bus most every day. Yes, now she has to stand, and it could be for a while.

Even I found sitting on the bulging concrete blob uncomfortable. It was designed that way to be absolutely sure that no one would sleep on it overnight.

So today, neither of us sat down. The older woman couldn’t, and I’ll have to admit that I didn’t want my neighbors to see me sitting while she stood nearby (a student with a heavy backpack sat on the other toadstool).

I wasn’t raised to sit while my elders stand. I’m sorry, that’s the way I am. So we both stood.

This brought home to me the realization of exactly how Mufi has harmed the people of Honolulu by removing the benches and installing these uncomfortable concrete monstrosities. He didn’t care to work on solving the problem of homelessness in the city—in fact, he famously had several of their leading advocates arrested for a legal protest on the City Hall lawn.

He also didn’t care about taking away seating from bus passengers, some of whom depend on it because they cannot stand for long periods of time. For the rest of us, he robbed us of the chance to sit comfortably in shelter from the sun or rain while waiting. And he raised the bus fare, too.

And those toadstools are profoundly ugly. Especially as they collect graffiti, which can’t be easily cleaned off the rough concrete.

I’ll send this to our new Mayor and see if he is inclined to pull these toadstools out and get us our benches back. Why don’t you call, fax or write and do the same.

Mayor Peter Carlisle
Office of the Mayor
Honolulu Hale
530 S. King St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

(808) 768-4141 • mayor@honolulu.gov

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November 22 program: Community Based Senior Services on Oahu

Monday, November 22, 2010
11:30-1:00PM

THE HARRIS METHODIST CHURCH
Miyama Main Hall
Nuuanu and South Vineyard Blvd.
Ample parking-driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

AGENDA

11:30  Lunch: Various pizzas, salad, drinks, dessert, $5.00 donation
11:45  Welcome:  Introductions and remarks, Larry Geller, President
12:00   Program: Bonnie Ho, Executive Director, Kilohana
               Senior Enrichment Center:  “Community Based
              Senior Services on Oahu—Day Care and Day Health,
              What are they?  Where Are They? “
12:20:  Questions and answers
12:30:  Preparation for Advocacy
12:45:  Announcements
1:00  Adjourn

October 25 Program: 7th Annual Legislative Community Forum

Kokua Council

7th Annual Community Forum

Be Part of the Solution

Please join us for lunch. Public Invited



Monday, October 25, 2010
11:30 AM-1:30 PM (extended session)
Harris Methodist Church
Miyama Main Hall
Nuuanu and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking-driveway off Nuuanu Ave.


Agenda:

11:30 Lunch Various Subway sandwiches, salad, drinks,
dessert, $5.00 donation

11:45 Welcome Introductions and remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00 Program: Panel of Legislators, Government Administrators, Private
Sector & Advocates

Followed by representatives from nonprofit and other organizations involved with seniors as well as advocacy groups who have needs/concerns that can be helped legislatively or by other means, will present their issues and a vote on the top issues; step 1 in deciding Kokua Council 2011 legislative priorities.

These may include: Caregiver support, discharge planning, homeless concerns, public access to care home inspections, campaign spending refom, ... and more.

August 23 Meeting: Mayoral Candidates--Challenges Facing Honolulu Seniors

Click here to listen. Or try this audio player:

Download this Media File - (Right Click)

Mayoral Candidates--Challenges Facing Honolulu Seniors
Panos Prevedouros (right), Rod Tam (left) (2010 candidates for Mayor, Honolulu)

Kokua Council invited the major mayoral candidates to participate. Only Panos Prevedouros and Rod Tam responded.

Notes to follow