Hanabusa's 2nd District credentials genuine
Would you vote for somebody residing in Texas or Montana to represent you in Congress?
Of course not! So why even consider those candidates running in the 2nd Congressional District who do not even live there? We shouldn't! Furthermore, these candidates can't even vote for themselves, so how can they expect others to vote for them?
Living in a district gives you the privilege of knowing your neighbors and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your community. Our representatives need to cherish this experience and honor their constituents. I wouldn't want an outsider representing me in Washington.
Colleen Hanabusa has her feet firmly planted in the land that raised her, the Waianae Coast. She has proven herself in the state Senate as an intelligent, fierce but fair advocate for her constituents. She will serve Hawaii well in Congress.
Lori Shimoda
Honolulu
Campaign signs ought to tell voters more
If candidates put more than just their names on their signs, we would have a better idea who we want to elect. For example, "Living Wage." Now, I'd vote for that one.
Barbara Ikeda
Honolulu
Former Councilwoman added to traffic jam
A perfect irony to Wednesday's front-page story
"STUCK -- A structural accident on an H-1 overpass snarls traffic for hours" would have been if former City Councilwoman Rene Mansho, who once represented Mililani, were also stuck for four or five hours on the freeway with nothing but a full bladder and an empty Starbucks coffee cup.
Mansho is the person who is solely responsible for killing the rail transit project of the early '90s, which of course would have been up and running years ago. Eventually she resigned from the City Council under charges of misusing more than $20,000 of city money and $300 of her own campaign funds, for which she was then sent to prison. I often wonder if anyone who voted for her back then takes the time to think about their own role in this traffic mess while they are stuck right in the middle of it?
Michael Lauck
Honolulu
Bus snafu worsened Tuesday's mess
My wife got stranded by TheBus Tuesday night in Wahiawa at 10 p.m., with no way to get home to Waialua. TheBus info center had given me the wrong information, which added to the problem.
She had gotten on the No. 83 express to Wahiawa at 3:40 p.m. at Alapai, not knowing anything about "The Problem." Usually she would get off in Wahiawa and wait for the 83 express to Waialua that takes her to within a block of our house in Waialua. The No. 83 Waialua usually follows the No. 83 Wahiawa in about an hour.
After hours stuck in traffic, she got off in Wahiawa at about 10 p.m. and waited for the No. 83 Waialua. It came by, but would not stop. She could see riders on board, but the sign said "not in service." She knows this was the usual No. 83 Waialua because of the style of bus (more "rounded" at front and back), and she recognized some riders she knows.
I had called TheBus info line earlier to ask specifically if the normal routing would be followed, even though late, and was assured that it would.
After she informed me she was stranded, I tried to reach TheBus info line, but it closed at 10 p.m.! At least the Traffic Control Center stayed open all night.
Tim Haverly
Waialua
Blame anti-rail efforts for massive tie-up
The root cause of
Tuesday's traffic woes is poor state and city planning to foresee the need for a rail system. Since the 1970s, when Mayor Fasi first proposed a rail transit system with federal funding, it was shot down for decades by the Democrats.
Yes, we built more highways, freeways, Zipper lanes and add more buses. But the results still worsen. As the population grows, more and more vehicles will be shipped into Hawaii. Maybe when our island is wall-to-wall freeways, highways and vehicles, our politicians will agree to build a mass transit rail system.
A fact: Mass rail transit will cut traffic in half and will lower the high gas prices. Buying less gas will always lower the price of gasoline.
Arsenio Pelayo
Foster Village
Dela Cruz should get on board with rail
City Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz's current threat to delay the collection of the transit tax once again sends a sour signal to federal funding authorities, and raises questions about the stability of our City Council.
If Dela Cruz is a supporter of mass transit, as he claims, he should stop flexing what little political muscle he has and show some maturity. Inconsistent behavior and a tendency to shine the spotlight on himself will not strengthen his hand or help secure his precarious perch as Council chairman.
We already have one Councilman, Charles Djou, who will try anything to sabotage rail. With Donovan, we now have "friends" of transit who could prove equally damaging (who needs enemies with friends like that!). We need to get a real transit solution rolling, and we need Council members to stop playing games with our future.
T.J. Cuaresma
Wahiawa
Throwaway society leads to trashy roads
I drive anywhere in Honolulu, and I see junk and rubbish. What happened to our beautiful aina? Kapiolani Boulevard is an eyesore; the area used to be so clean and neat, free from debris and cast-off rubbish.
This is the result of a throwaway society. If the microwave doesn't work, let's buy a new one, and leave the old one by the side of the road, no matter that it contains compounds and chemicals that might be damaging to our keiki, our beloved pets, neighbors, friends and family. Then the fault is led to government entities when they fail to meet the criteria set by the people they represent.
Each of us must consider the consequences and share responsibility. If it can be fixed, fix it and spare our aina, or share the blame and stop complaining about our government. If it is your rubbish, you and you alone are responsible for it.
Gayle Nakama
Honolulu
Honor all who died on 9/11 anniversary
Perhaps you have received an e-mail regarding the institution of National Firefighters Day annually on Sept. 11, and been asked to sign a petition.
I believe it would be better to reserve Sept. 11 as a national day of remembrance for ALL who lost their lives, and find another suitable date for National Firefighters Day.
Kristine Woodall
Honolulu
Taggers didn't damage Holomua school spirit!
We are proud sixth-grade students at Holomua Elementary School. We are devastated and angry because we were victims of vandalism. On a recent morning, we discovered graffiti all over our campus. Inappropriate language and drawings covered our buildings, playground and walkways. This vandalism brought shame to our school because of the negative influence it had on the younger students. Not only was it offensive, but it was insulting!
The custodians and administrators had to take time from their busy schedules to paint over the graffiti. We will not let anyone destroy our spirit and loyalty as proud Holomua Voyagers! We at Holomua are taught to be good citizens and to be respectful of property and others. We will not lose our pride and dignity because someone else damages our campus. Holomua means to keep going, never give up -- and that's just what we did.
To any taggers who read this -- please consider the negative influence tagging has on young children and our community. We are asking that you look deep inside and change your behavior so that you may contribute to, not harm, the world around us. Why not use your "artistic talents" to beautify our community, not destroy it? Think about the consequences of your actions and realize the effect it will have on others, including your own families. Move forward with us to become progressive, successful citizens.
Theresa Wilson's 6th-grade students
Holomua Elementary School Ewa Beach