TRANSIT

RUN RAIL ALONG NIMITZ, NOT THROUGH SALT LAKE

Should the rail come through Salt Lake, it seems many of my neighbors do not realize the amount of property that will be displaced in our already-congested community.

A better solution would be to place the rail along Nimitz Highway and build a transit station and parking structure. This location would not affect any residential properties and the noise and vibration would not be a problem in an industrial area.

All surrounding communities would benefit from having a transit station and parking structure on Nimitz Highway. The transit station could also be built to include commercial activities, such as a food court, convenience stores, day-care center to name a few.

On weekends and holidays, residents from all over O'ahu could use the rail and transit station for recreational trips into Waikiki and Ala Moana Park and Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Tourism is our biggest industry, and in these tough economic times having an affordable means of transportation to and from Waikiki would be very attractive to visitors.

The rail will be a win-win situation for all residents if moved to the Nimitz-airport industrial area with its supporting transit station and parking garage. Do not run the rail through our bedroom community.

SAFE DRIVING

BAN SHOULD INCLUDE ALL USE OF CELL PHONES

I agree with the city's proposed ban on text messaging when driving a vehicle, but I don't think it goes far enough.

If we accept the concept that safe driving requires "both hands on the wheel and eyes always on the road," then the ban should include all use of cell phones while driving, except for the hands-free type.

Some places ban cell-phone use entirely while driving, but I can't see the difference between conversing with someone on a hands-free unit and talking to a passenger riding in the vehicle.

We also need to consider the safety of using navigational aids that are installed in some vehicles. If they provide vocal instructions, there is no real safety issue. However, if the driver must look at the device's screen, which is usually mounted on the dashboard, this would constitute unsafe driving.

I suggest that the city avoid taking a piecemeal approach to resolving the cell-phone safety issue.

ERADICATION EFFORTS

IT'S POSSIBLE TO LEARN TO LOVE COQUI FROGS

First we had Soma Grismaijer telling us the coqui frog is good for Hawai'i (Island Voices, Nov. 17). Now we have bureaucrats chiming in to reassure us that the coqui is just as bad as we've always been told.

But should we trust the arguments of people whose livelihoods depend on the coqui being a problem? Whom should we believe?

As with most contentious issues, the truth lies somewhere in between the two opposing sides. Grismaijer is right that the coqui has been harmless to Hawai'i's ecosystems so far, and there's no reason to assume that will change.

It is also true that eradication and control efforts through spraying on the Big Island appear to be futile (as well as toxic and harmful to nontarget animals).

But the opposing letters are correct that eradication efforts have worked on O'ahu. While it's true that property values have been negatively affected by the coqui, that has as much to do with negative attitudes (encouraged by alien species control groups) as it does with the frog itself.

People on the Big Island should, and must, learn to appreciate the coqui, and yes it's possible. O'ahu is a different story.

ECONOMIC CRISIS

WHY SHOULD TAXPAYERS BAIL OUT AUTOMAKERS?

Give me one reason why the majority of American working people need to bail out a small group of American working people that through excessive executive salaries, poor judgment on new designs and the greed of their unions has killed the market for American cars.

Let the executives and workers pony up the money to make them competitive on the world market. The next generation of America is already in debt because of this generation's stupidity. No more! If they can't save themselves, let them go the way of the rest of business in this country.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

HBO 'ADDICTION' SERIES WILL BE AIRING ON 'OLELO

After months of negotiation, we're pleased to announce that 'Olelo Community Television will show the award-winning HBO documentary "Addiction" for free.

The complete 14-part series will be broadcast on Channel 49 over a two-week span, Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning Nov. 25 and concluding Dec. 5. All programs begin at 5 p.m., except for the first segment, which will air at 4:30 p.m.

Every day, thousands of people in Hawai'i struggle with substance abuse. Yet less than 10 percent are getting treatment, according to national studies. Partly, it's because of the stigma associated with addiction. It's also because many don't know that it is a treatable disease. This groundbreaking TV series demystifies addiction and the recovery process.

If you or someone you love has a drug or alcohol problem, please watch or tape these programs.

Mahalo to the following organizations for their support of this special TV presentation: HMSA, Hawai'i Substance Abuse Coalition, Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai'i, PACT Kane'ohe Community Family Center, Community Works in 96744 Coalition and 'Olelo.

To check on viewing times and topics, please visit www.olelo.org.

You can also get more information about the series and addiction at www.hbo.com/addiction.

JUSTICE SYSTEM

NOTHING EASY ABOUT GETTING COLLEGE DEGREE

Sen. Fred Hemmings made some interesting comments regarding the "real costs" of criminal behavior in his Nov. 16 letter, "Real issue is criminals who are still on the street."

The price of crime rarely includes the value of the misery inflicted upon crime victims. It may even be correct to say that it is cheaper (and better) for criminals to remain in prison for extended sentences rather than continue with the expensive "revolving door" model whereby prisoners are sentenced, serve reduced time and are released only to be re-incarcerated. There is much data supporting the frequency and consequences of recidivism in the criminal justice system.

However, I take issue with the senator's comment that "most convicts who want to improve themselves by attending college can easily do so."

After working full time, pursuing and achieving two master's degrees, I can attest to the fact that there is nothing easy about it.