Gas price comparison proves value of cap
Yesterday's article about Hawaii's gas prices not falling while they have on the mainland is proof that a price cap is needed. The comments made by the "analysts" in the article are nonsense. While gas will always be higher here than on the mainland, if prices are falling there, they should be falling here by pretty much the same amount.
I urge the Legislature and the governor to reinstate some form of regulation, since the market here refuses to do so. The price should be based on what retail stations charge, on average, on the West Coast, with proper adjustments for source of oil, transportation and taxes.
Voters will be watching the candidates carefully on this issue come November.
Mark A. Koppel
Umauma
Sure is great having unregulated gas prices
I just returned from a two-week trip to Detroit, where I saw the price of gasoline come down from $2.57 a gallon to $2.30.
When I arrived back home, much to my chagrin I noticed the price of gas here stayed pretty much where it was when I left.
Isn't it great that we removed the price caps and let market forces work, so the oil industry could regulate itself?
I guess we just enjoy paying nearly a dollar more a gallon for gasoline when we don't have to.
Don Rochon
Honolulu
H-1 mess causes rail reconsideration
With a hefty homework load, I like to get home as soon as possible. What was a manageable week of school turned into a mess of menacing deadlines and incomplete assignments, all thanks to the
traffic jam of Sept. 5. The state and the military, which caused the trouble in the first place, were of no help. Where were they? I shudder to think if this incident happened in conjunction with a natural disaster.
We would all be stuck with no alternatives to get people home or out of harm's way. We are too dependent on our cars, buses and an inadequate highway system. Heavy traffic I've gotten used to, but after that nightmare, I'm prone to think that a rail system, a meaningful alternative mode of transportation, is the way to go.
Mie Omori
Aiea
Not everything bad is fault of our military
I was quite surprised to read a letter by Guy Belegaud (
Star-Bulletin, Sept. 11) blaming the military for everything that is wrong in Hawaii and our nation. The traffic fiasco of last week was caused by the military; however, our own local government had no plan to deal with such a disaster.
To blame the military for everything that is wrong with our state or our nation is absurd. The military will be held responsible for their soldiers' neglect. That is what makes our nation so great -- accountability. We are a nation at war; we should be supporting our military, not bashing them. We live in a free and open society due to our military service and sacrifice. Mr. Belegaud can write an open letter without fear of reprisal because military servicemen and women have died to keep us free.
How about we fix the problem and not the blame?
Eric Daido
Mililani
Reviewer too harsh on clever production
I am confused and disappointed by John Berger's review of Manoa Valley Theater's "UrineTown" ("Bad audio undermines good acting,"
Star-Bulletin, Sept. 11). Usually, I consider a well-written play critique to be a work of art in itself -- and Berger usually delivers this.
It seems, however, that Berger missed the entire point of this production. With so much focus on a technical issue that seemed to have been solved by the time I saw the play, he failed to recognize the intelligent wit, the ingenuitive set design and the cohesiveness of a wonderfully chosen cast in a very difficult-to-mount production.
With his "Truth be told, it isn't overwhelmingly clever" comment, I am left to believe that Berger has lost recognition of "clever," or perhaps he lacks affection for spoof and satire. This Tony award-winning play contains a plethora of clever allusions to theatrical styles and traditions. Could the "potty humor" have offended Berger so that he failed to recognize a show that irreverently pays witty homage to the great American musical theater tradition?
I hope the review does not prevent those who enjoy theater from seeing this fabulous production.
Crystal Brewe
Kailua