Letters to the editor
SB 2878
ISLES' EARLY EDUCATION NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
I support SB 2878, relating to early education, because the early-education system in Hawai'i needs improvement.
In more than 80 percent of Hawai'i's kindergarten classrooms, students are unable to demonstrate the necessary math and literacy skills.
This is an alarmingly high number, and is an issue we should all be concerned with.
Research has shown that 85 percent of a child's intellect, personality and social skills are developed by age 5. More quality early learning experiences help maximize the brain's development for lifelong learning as well as success.
For our keiki to succeed in the future, we need to act now.
Suzanne YamadaPrincipal, Palisades Elementary School
PARKING CITATIONS
POLICE SHOULD MAKE BETTER USE OF RESOURCES
Recently, on Manuku Street in Makaha, police have been out in force giving out parking tickets for cars parked four feet or closer to a mailbox. I have counted a total of 10 police officers at once on a recent crackdown.
With the ice epidemic, copper thefts, etc., shouldn't HPD make better use of manpower and resources?
Are 10 police officers necessary to give out parking citations while so many crimes (involving actual victims) remain unsolved?
It makes me wonder if this is how the city plans to pay for the rail.
Edward KeelerWai'anae
RAIL DEBATE
MANY QUESTIONS STILL TO BE ANSWERED ON RAIL
These are some questions that have yet to appear that should be answered by the pro-rail contingent before we continue, with or without rail.
If the rail system is implemented, we need to be able to acknowledge the tremendous foresight of its proponents or, on the other hand, we should be able to judge the fallacy of those touting its merits.
For each leg and for the entire rail system:
While it would appear to probably be less costly and easier to construct (fewer right-of-way issues and land purchases), who and how many riders would be expected to travel from Kapolei toward town without actually getting there?
If the objective is to alleviate traffic or offer an alternative, shouldn't a first connection be made between Downtown and some population center ?
N. TyauHonolulu
PUBLIC NEEDS AN HONEST AND FAIR RAIL DISCUSSION
There were two letters in your June 30 paper condemning the mayor's charges against the anti-rail people.
I was pleased that both letters were restrained and civil in tone. They stand in sharp contrast to the mayor's ads and to the way he often deals with those who disagree with him.
On July 1, former Gov. Ben Cayetano wrote a column pointing to things in the mayor's behavior and about the management of the rail project that are deeply troubling.
Such credible, frank and articulate opposition to the mayor, his behavior and the rail project is long overdue.
It is to be hoped that the public may yet receive an honest assessment of the rail project and fair discussion and evaluation of additional and cost-effective ways of alleviating our traffic congestion.
The mayor's consistent efforts to silence opposition and rush groundbreaking for rail only add to a sense that rail has deficiencies that, if exposed, would condemn it to oblivion as a traffic solution for Honolulu.
Peter GlickHonolulu
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RAIL GROUPS ANALYZED
No matter if one favors rail transit, opposes it or is undecided, this comparison ought to concern all of us:
Does this have at least a hint of stink, or is it just me?
Michael P. RethmanKane'ohe
RAIL OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR HAWAI'I RESIDENTS
Some would say my position as a member of the Public Involvement Team for the rail project discredits my opinion on the issue. I couldn't disagree more.
I am a Native Hawaiian and local resident. I have never lived outside of Hawai'i and don't intend to. In my short life, I have seen Hawai'i change drastically. The ever-rising cost of living, population growth and jobs shortage make it difficult for my friends and family to live here. I realize I may never be a homeowner, and I fear the day there is no longer a place for me in Honolulu.
I support rail because it will provide an alternative to buying gasoline at nearly $5 a gallon. It also will provide added personal time that I would otherwise spend in traffic.
Most importantly, I support rail because it creates opportunities for me to be a first-time homeowner. Transit-oriented development encourages development along the corridor. It builds up not out, and contains urban sprawl, thus helping to keep our country country. It means more affordable condominiums and apartments for first-time home buyers.
We can shape the future of O'ahu by building a transit system that promotes responsible growth and gives local people a chance to continue living in the home we know and love.
I work for rail because I believe in it, not the other way around.
Sarah BlaneHonolulu
