Cancellation of E bus line is inconvenient

I am extremely disappointed in the decision to discontinue the E bus transit line. We were told this would not happen without public feedback, and I am one public member who was not requested to give that feedback.

I live in Waikiki and use the E almost daily. Most days I travel along its route. The first stop from home takes me to my bookstore and bank; the second stop takes me to the post office (when my publisher is in revision mode, I am there up to five days a week); the fourth stop takes me to Ala Moana, where I either transfer to travel across island or shop at Longs and Foodland; the UH building is my stop to walk to Fisher Warehouse for office supplies (since I have to walk there from any bus stop anyway); Ward Center and Restaurant Row are where I meet friends; I only take the E to travel downtown for business meetings; I am in Chinatown at least four times a month. On the way home, I take the E to the statue, and I am reminded why I chose to live on this island with its quirky visitors and beautiful water.

I will wait for the E before getting on the way-too-crowded 8, 20, 19 or super-slow 42. Ridership is up since the signs on the front and side of the bus list the destination as Chinatown via Ala Moana.

The E was never advertised properly. When I called for instructions and needed to transfer at Ala Moana (even after saying my stop is at Lili'uokalani and Kuhio), I was told to take the 8, 19, 20 or 42 — never was I advised to ride the faster, more comfortable, more convenient E bus. This bus, the only one I really want to ride, was doomed from the beginning.

I think it's time to stop giving TheBus my money and buy myself a car.

Crackdown on B&Bs would be a mistake

Barbara Marshall has proposed legislation that would allow any non-permitted vacation rentals advertised on the Internet to be fined. Yet, since 1989, there has been no way for a homeowner to apply for a permit to allow for a bed-and-breakfast.

This hardly seems fair to the many quietly and responsibly run vacation rentals out there.

Even worse, this proposal could have a disastrous impact on our communities. Here's something to think about. Imagine the authorities crack down on all non-permitted vacation rental units. People are being fined, homeowners are scared of getting fined, and people not only stop taking reservations from future guests, but refund money from reservations already taken. These visitors cannot find another vacation rental because so many are shutting down.

This is a nightmare scenario for our tourist-driven economy. The bad publicity would have a terrible effect. If you've lived here any length of time and seen the economy rise and fall with the number of visitors coming to Hawai'i, then you know we should not only want tourists visiting, we need tourists visiting. We need to welcome these travelers with open arms and aloha.

Let's regulate the vacation rental industry so problem rentals/homeowners can be dealt with, but let's not get crazy and change the character of our communities for the worse.

Conveyance tax hike would be a mistake

I strongly oppose House Bill 1308, which would authorize increases in conveyance tax rates that in some cases more than doubles or triples the current rate.

Increasing the conveyance tax would clearly increase the cost of housing and the cost of doing business in Hawai'i. Since the conveyance tax law contains no exemption for the sale of commercial, resort or agricultural property, any increase would also increase the cost of doing business and farming in Hawai'i.

Any increase would therefore have the effect of increasing the cost of home-ownership and rentals in Hawai'i.

Using solar energy could ease tuition

Hawai'i has become dependent on outside sources even though we have energy and natural resources here on O'ahu.

Hawai'i has more sunlight than any other part of the United States. Why do we allow the sun's natural light to be wasted as it hits the pavement?

Take the Rocky Mountain Institute, for example, which is primarily concerned with the conservation of natural resources. It is able to run its institution on only $50 for electricity a month with the help of solar panels.

Using solar panels will directly help schools more because they need air conditioners. The University of Hawai'i is raising its tuition to $8,000. With solar panels controlling the lights, computers and air-conditioning, maybe the tuition wouldn't have to go up. I certainly don't want my tuition to increase to pay for electricity. I pay for an education.