However you slice it, rail is pretty costly
I knew $3 billion for building rail was expensive. I didn't realize how expensive it was until I broke it down this way: Assuming the rail line is 23 miles long, it will cost $130,434,782 per mile, or $24,703 per foot to build, and this doesn't cover maintenance.
Warren Kawamoto
Honolulu
Honolulu drivers need red-light cameras
I pulled up at a red light a couple of days ago. The green light for us to go was on at least 10 seconds, and the people who had the red light were still going through, not even slowing down. Luckily, those who had the green light had sense enough to wait.
I don't know why everything the other states do Hawaii always says cannot be done. I've seen traffic cameras work in Oakland. They don't worry about catching pictures of the driver's face. They snap pictures of the car's license plate. The owner gets the ticket, with the understanding that if someone is borrowing the car, the owner is still responsible.
Why do all the elected personnel feel that it is unfair to do it in Hawaii when other states are doing it?
Hawaii keeps re-electing people who are out there for the money and not the true purpose of being legislators. Or maybe the legislators themselves are afraid that they are also the perpetrators and will be caught on camera themselves?
Irene F. Lance
Aiea
Put solar panels all over our rooftops
May I suggest a simple and ultimately cost-effective solution for the University of Hawaii and, indeed, most other buildings in Hawaii? Cover the roof with solar panels. Once installed, the energy they produce is free forever. A back-up, low-emission diesel generator will provide power when necessary.
I cannot see why this is not more widespread. Government and education should show the way.
Mark A. Koppel
Umauma, Hawaii
Peace department needed to counter GOP
The message from the Republican Party appears to be that white is black and black is white. A dark cloud has descended over our moral vision. Our country goes to war based on lies. Our country tortures illegally. The Republicans believe the end justifies the means.
There is a bill before Congress, HR 3760, to establish a Department of Peace. Rep. Dennis Kucinich was its author. The objectives are to research, facilitate and articulate peaceful nonviolent solutions to conflict, both domestically and internationally; and to support our military with complementary approaches to ending violence.
The Department of Peace would provide educational programs to help ameliorate domestic violence, school violence and establish an "academy of peace" to train personnel in nonviolent conflict resolution. More than 3 million signatures have gone to Congress, endorsing this bill. More than 70 members of Congress and two senators have cosponsored. When people understand the bill and ask their elected officials to cosponsor, most do. Many city councils have endorsed it.
Walter Cronkite, who has seen the results of war, is dedicating his time to this project, as are other statespeople. Thanks to Rep. Neil Abercrombie and our next Congress member Mazie Hirono for their vision and pursuit of peace.
Jo An Gaines
Honolulu
Agency coordination would aid traffic flow
The choke points in Honolulu traffic are well known to the Department of Transportation, a state agency, and the Honolulu Police Department, a City and County organization. I propose a plan where HPD staggers its change of shift schedule Monday through Friday in such as a way as to effectively double the amount of officers available during the morning and afternoon rush hours. The extra personnel would be placed as the known choke points to ticket violators who block intersections and be in position to deal with stalls or accidents.
The DOT should be able to forecast choke points due to construction or planned traffic pattern changes and or problems, thereby coordinating with HPD to deploy assets. Additionally, the state Sheriff's Department is a seriously underutilized asset that could assist traffic flow around the Capitol as well as the airport area, which is largely under its jurisdiction.
Coordination among these agencies allows maximization of their existing capabilities without significant additional cost. The result should be more orderly traffic flow and rapid response to problems on our roads.
Nick Dizon
Aiea