We have ample time to keep the boilers of this engine from firing up and chugging us to local bankruptcy.

The bus rapid transit (BRT) in Honolulu took three years between the draft EIS and the final EIS.

We have the time to look more closely at any rail project that has historically had consistently high cost overruns, as this appears to have.

You can stop, look and listen, too, before we make a costly mistake affecting every taxpayer on O'ahu.

GERIATRIC SERVICES

LOSS OF HOME-CARE PROGRAMS DISMAYING

I am dismayed that the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation has decided to close the Maluhia Home Care and Maluhia Geriatric Physician Services as of June 30, 2008. This follows the closing of what once was the PACE program, which provided comprehensive care to elderly patients.

As the sole caregiver for my mother, I found PACE to be the only place I could turn to for help to keep my mother at home rather than put her in a care home. To further maintain my mother at home, I also had to use the in-home care services.

The closing of the PACE program last year was made palatable by the continuation and expansion of the medical geriatric and in-home programs to outside patients who did not have to be part of PACE.

Given more time, I think this would have served the community well. I was surprised that after less than a year, HHSC has decided to close the medical and in-home services programs.

While I realize there are economic realities to running a medical program, there are also social needs to be met by government programs. The state's need for geriatric and medical services is well documented and is growing geometrically.

To have programs like this close only worsens the problem.

It seems unbelievable that HHSC cannot see the need to continue these types of programs in a state where we can devote millions of dollars to athletic programs.

Why was the PACE program in Hawai'i the only PACE program in the nation that closed?

Where else can family caregivers turn for a comprehensive program in one place to help them with their overwhelming burdens of caring for loved ones?

VETERANS CEMETERY

RULES MUST BE BETTER ENFORCED AT GRAVE SITES

I visited the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Windward O'ahu recently and I was a bit disappointed.

So many of the grave sites have been modified by family members of the deceased that areas have an uneven, jumbled, patchwork look. One need only compare this with the National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl to see the difference.

In the "80's area" there were more than a half-dozen grave sites that had been trenched around the marker and different grass planted that rose several inches above the surrounding area.

I understand the desire of relatives to make a grave site special and part of a personal memorial. But the end result is a ratty, jumbled look, which detracts from the quiet dignity all our veterans should be afforded. Several sites had balloons, windmills and other items, none of which is appropriate.

In the distance, several people were also using the roads as a jogging track. There must be a better place to get one's exercise.

I realize some people who have family members buried there would not be happy with the rules enforced. But they must be — for all our heroes who rest there.

SUPERDELEGATES

DON'T LIKE THE RULES? WORK TO CHANGE THEM

Some people have attacked Sen. Daniel Inouye for his pledge to support Sen. Hillary Clinton despite the overwhelming caucus support for Sen. Barack Obama.

Under the Democratic Party rules, superdelegates have the prerogative to vote for whomever they think will be the best, the most experienced and winningest candidate.

Can't we trust the judgment of Sen. Inouye, whom we have elected since statehood by huge majorities?

Let us play by the rules, or if you are not a Democrat, join the party and help change the rules.

GENETIC ENGINEERING

MAINTAIN INTEGRITY, SIGNIFICANCE OF KALO

The kalo farmers have made their eloquent plea. Voices of concern have been raised about the sanctity of kalo in respect to its cultural significance and its botanical integrity.

I join the chorus of support to maintain that sanctity, that significance and that integrity: Kalo, as is!

ADVERTISER RALLY

ABERCROMBIE CAN'T SEE GIVE AND TAKE NEEDED

For whatever the reason, I've found The Advertiser over the years to be more than fair in allowing U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie editorial space.

How ironic, then, that while The Advertiser and its workers are in negotiations, Rep. Abercrombie showed up at the workers' rally in his usual fashion, according to the Honolulu Star Bulletin on Feb. 11, "shouting" his distaste.

But then that's classic Abercrombie. It's the only way he knows how to speak, by intimidation, i.e., a truculent man who seems to always be angry at big business.

Currently, the issue he addressed was healthcare but, as The Advertiser has pointed out, healthcare costs are completely out of control and worsening.

There needs to be a give and take on both sides, that is from management and the union. However, Abercrombie fails to see this.

It was quite clear Abercrombie would rather play the role of the provocateur.

But then I believe Abercrombie has had little or no experience in business, yet always seems to have one-sided opinions.

One wonders whether Sens. Daniel Inouye and Dan Akaka and Rep. Mazie Hirono support his approach, or are trying to distance themselves.

HAWAII MEDICAL CENTER

APPALLED AT TAX-BREAK REQUEST FROM HOSPITAL

I am appalled with the Hawaii Medical Center asking the state for tax breaks because it is having a hard time making a profit.

If this particular group would invest in their operation as agreed upon, perhaps their bottom line would improve as well.

If this group is able to get any tax breaks or relief from the state, so should countless numbers of small companies facing the same difficult business environment we are in. I see no reason why this should take place and set a precedent.