Track and fine owners of abandoned vehicles

I have to take issue with Jude Waterman's comments that the mainland should take care of Oahu's junk vehicle problem ("Letters," May 28). I have one question: Why?

Hawaii needs to learn to take care of its own problems instead of shipping them off to the mainland every time something gets a little inconvenient. If abandoned cars are a problem, check the vehicle identification number and fine the owner for abandoning it. Maybe the cops should try fining people for abandoning cars instead of going undercover to catch jaywalkers.

Competition behind Superferry opposition

Why the opposition to the Hawaii Superferry? Here are some of the reasons:

» Interisland airlines

» Car rentals

» Matson and Young Brothers

» Taxis and buses

» Interisland boat services

» Tour boats

Let's help most of the people of Hawaii and let the Superferry go ahead. Also for the tourists.

Lawyer should be part of the solution

In regard to the May 23 article about David B. Rosen, I agree on one thing: that he finds the Hawaii public school system is of poor quality.

But being that he attended public school and members of his immediate family went on to become part of the system by teaching, then he and his family have become part of the problem and should have commenced to fix it.

Rosen's future clients should apply for Iolani, Punahou or Hawaii Preparatory Academy if they feel up to the educational challenge. But we all know why he seeks clients to apply for Kamehameha Schools. It's not about education or discrimination anymore.

Pay hike will help keep cops at home

I applaud the city for finally, finally deciding to give our police officers a much-deserved raise (Star-Bulletin, May 24). This should have been done many years ago; we would have retained the majority of the best and brightest and most dedicated officers. Who would want to live in the cold of Washington or New York when they could be among family and friends?

Now we wait for the groaning from the community.

But in reality, it's these officers who put their lives on the line each and every minute for us. Thanks, HPD, for making our lives safer, livable and, most of all, for a job well done.

Illegal aliens, not U.S., separate families

Hawaii's congressional members need to rethink their position on immigration. The term "family reunification" is frequently used by our congressmen as an implicit goal. "Family reunification" is a synonym for amnesty, a term that masks the process of allowing millions of illegal immigrants to remain in the country. If an individual or couple has illegally entered the United States, they should be deported as the law says; after all, no one is above the law.

When people illegally enter the country, they knowingly accept the risk that they might be caught; their deportation should not come as a shock. It is these perpetrators who separate families through their crimes; the federal government is simply enforcing its laws.

When people are deported, they can take their children or family members with them. The United States does not detain their family or prevent their departure. Why would anyone leave their family or children behind?

Earlier immigrants did not sneak over

Cynthia Oi's column about immigration ("Under the Sun," May 23) missed one clear and ever-present point. My great-grandparents signed up and then came to this country. They didn't sneak across the border, then moan and groan about fairness and equality. Give me a break!

Put rail on ground in outside lanes

Rather than build the extremely expensive and unsightly elevated track system for the light rail transit system, why not use the outside lanes of the existing freeways? The rail system could move many more riders than the present autos carrying one or two passengers, and could be much less costly, much less of an eyesore and much more environmentally friendly. The cost savings could be used to extend the rail system to Central and East Oahu. It would also be much less susceptible to earthquake and terrorist damage.