SMOKING LAW

IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO SELL, POSSESS CIGARETTES

The anti-smoking law is discriminatory, and does not do enough. What we need is a real law that makes it illegal to sell cigarettes.

Why doesn't the Legislature pass a law to outlaw the sale of cigarettes.

I don't like the law that restricts where a person can smoke, because it punishes the person instead of punishing the corporation that manufactures the products.

I don't presently smoke, but I am considering smoking in a public place so that I can sue the State of Hawai'i if I am fined and thrown into jail for breaking the law.

I want the State of Hawai'i to either make the sale and possession of cigarettes and tobacco products illegal or vacate the anti-smoking law.

MAHALO

CONCERT GOER AIDED THOSE NEEDING HELP

I attended the Kamehameha Schools performance yesterday afternoon, and when entering the Blaisdell parking lot I noticed all handicapped stalls were filled except one. This was well in advance of the show's opening.

I was in a long line and I use a walker because I cannot stand too long.

A fellow attendee saw all the people who needed special assistance in line, and took it upon herself to ask for early admission so they could sit in the lobby. She ran into resistance, but finally got approval for us to enter, and I want to thank Jan Hanaike for her efforts.

TRANSIT

CITY CAN'T MOVE FAST ENOUGH ON RAIL SYSTEM

It was interesting to read David Shapiro's column (Volcanic Ash, Nov. 29) on what Ben Cayetano thinks should and shouldn't be done in terms of building Honolulu's transit system.

The former governor says there's no need to rush to collect the local tax to build a transit system because federal approval and funding will take some time. Cayetano also says that Mayor Mufi Hannemann has somehow "conned" everyone into thinking we need to move quickly.

I, for one, agree with Mayor Hannemann. I am sick and tired of waiting for government to do something about O'ahu's traffic mess, and I'm glad we've finally got an elected official who actually wants to "DO" something about it!

As someone who spends a good portion of my time stuck in traffic and away from my family, government can't move fast enough to help me and the thousands of others who feel the same way. If Cayetano thinks he knows so much about everything, where was his solution to our traffic problems while he was in office. C'mon, Ben, you had your time, and you did nothing.

CITY COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER RAIL OPTIONS

As the time draws near to make a decision on what type of system will be best to ease Honolulu's traffic woes, let's hope that the Honolulu City Council carefully considers options to the light rail system being proposed.

There seems to be too many big unknowns with light rail. What might the cost overruns be? What will the ridership be? What will maintenance costs be? How much will it be subsidized by taxpayers each year? Will it be convenient enough to get people to use it? Do we really want to mar the beautiful vistas with the rail guideway?

Being a devoted fan of TheBus, I would much prefer an expanded bus system. It's more flexible, and can be implemented much sooner.

Other options that really need to be implemented are ride sharing, staggered work hours, telecommuting, shuttles by major employers, movement of jobs out of downtown, etc.

Let's hope the City Council thinks long and hard about the costs of light rail before they vote. We do not want them to financially burden this city for generations to come.

WORLD-CLASS CITY NEEDS WORLD-CLASS RAIL SYSTEM

One compelling reason to build a rail transit system is the cost-savings to Honolulu business owners.

Employee parking can be a significant cost item for a downtown company. At $200 or more a month per employee, it rivals health insurance, workers' comp or other costs the business community traditionally decries.

And Honolulu parking — from Kaimuki to Iwilei — is not only soaring in price, it's becoming increasingly scarce.

As a downtown employer with a staff of nearly 100, I would much rather subsidize a monthly rail pass for employees than spend thousands more on parking.

If Honolulu wants to keep growing its business base and to fill our office buildings — especially with premium high-tech and white-collar jobs — we must find an efficient manner to bring people to work while leaving their cars at home. A tollway for cars only makes it faster for a select few to reach downtown gridlock.

We also need a system that is appealing to an upscale workforce. Sorry, but your brainy computer programmer, talented designer and savvy financial advisor are not going to sit on a city bus for an hour or more.

If Honolulu truly aspires to be a world-class city, we need a world-class transit system.

LUNALILO HOME ROAD

IT WOULD BE WRONG TO UPROOT MEDIAN TREES

It would be a crime to uproot beautiful mature trees by removing part of the median on Lunalilo Home Road near the Koko Marina Center. Trees make the neighborhood!

Businesses will survive, none has gone under, despite the minor inconvenience. Wouldn't it be better to spend some money on fixing potholes than pave over the only roadway in Hawai'i Kai that is not pothole-ridden?

KAHUKU

TAX MONEY SHOULD HELP SUPPORT HOSPITAL

I am just one of many people on the North Shore concerned about the recent announcement about the closure of Kahuku Hospital.

I don't understand why more isn't being done by the state, the city and county or elected officials to ensure this doesn't happen. Our mayor wants to budget "billions" of dollars for the mass transit, yet we can't manage a few million to keep a hospital open. Is it just me or does that seem totally absurd.

A major reason Kahuku Hospital is in the red is because they have to treat everyone who comes through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. I, for one, think my tax dollars are well spent if it is used to save someone's life!

There has got to be some federal money somewhere. We need to prioritize here a little better.

Bottom line, if the hospital closes, people will die. That is a fact.

WARRIORS

UH FOOTBALL TEAM GAVE FANS AN EXCITING SEASON

To the University of Hawai'i football team, coaches and supporting staff: Thank you for giving us such an exciting, super-entertaining, good-fun season.

Although it was "the depths of despair" to lose such a close heartbreaking game to Oregon State, hold your head up high. We know you gave it your best shot. We're still with you heart and soul and looking forward to another super exciting game at the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. This is one of the most exciting teams ever.

Again, thank you for a very memorable season. Go 'Bows!

FOOTBALL TEAM SHOWED CLASS, SPORTSMANSHIP

I stayed up to 3:30 a.m. to watch the University of Hawai'i football game, and it was a heartbreaking loss. This team has been so special in never losing heart. I still thought that special teams would be able to run it back for an amazing victory.

When the game ended, I couldn't have been more stunned. But despite the sad outcome, we did see something new. I was extremely proud of the sportsmanship and class that we showed: The defense picking up Oregon State University players after flattening them and giving them a pat was great.

I'm very proud of our players for not letting the disappointment get to them. That shows much more composure than even a come-back victory, and it tells me that UH is going to come back strong and proud in the bowl game and next year.

We may have dropped out of the rankings and Colt Brennan may not get to go to New York, but this game showed me a whole new level of character in UH. In the end, that's what carries a team. And that special character that this team has is why we should still be proud of them.

IRAQ

JOE MOORE OWES NO APOLOGY TO JOHN KERRY

I would like to comment on the letter written by Robert M. Lloyd, "Joe Moore should apologize to Kerry"(Nov. 6).

I heard the comments made by John Kerry about our Americans in Iraq, and not once did he mention President Bush.

Joe Moore owes no apology.

KAWAMOTO

KAHALA RENTAL PROJECT DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEM

Is Genshiro Kawamoto truly concerned about providing affordable rentals for Native Hawaiian families or is this just another one of his eccentric stunts by someone who has too much money on his hands and does not know what to do with it?

Renting nine or 10 multi-million-dollar homes for $150 a month isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to what he could really do by selling those homes and building a community of affordable homes that could benefit many more families.

When he gets tired of this Kahala rentals project and gets all the attention he wants out of it, he'll just evict the renters and still have the same multi-million-dollar homes. If he were to build a community of affordable homes, it'll have a more lasting legacy of good.