Brainstorm! Challenge

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Honolulu needed rail three decades ago

Regarding Governor Lingle's light-rail proposal for Honolulu (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 28): Can Oahu afford NOT to build such a system?

Here are other questions that need answers:

>> Whatever happened to bond issues to support this kind of improvement?
>> What about easing traffic congestion from the Windward side coming into downtown and Waikiki? I don't see any consideration of that problem, which has been getting worse for years.

I suggest we force all politicians on Oahu to drive themselves through this traffic mess every day that they are in office, during peak traffic periods. THEN something would actually get done.

These proposals are all at least 30 years too late.

Bill Martin
Kailua

We can find ways to pay for monorail

Here's my list of ways to generate revenues for a new transit system other than raising taxes:

>> Collect money from the fares.
>> Charge a small fee to park at the monorail stations.
>> Sell souvenirs promoting the monorail brand, just as people sell souvenirs for New York's Empire State Building.
>> Sell advertising space inside the monorails and the stations.
>> Sell interest-bearing government grants in increments of $10K.
>> Replace University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle with someone willing to work for half the pay.

>> Have a privately run firm build the monorail in cooperation with the state.
>> Lease retail space such as to kiosks at the stations.
>> Legalize a privately run state lottery. Tax the winnings to pay for the monorail.
>> Stop spending money on unnecessary government programs that do not support the population as a whole.

Justin Tanoue
Kaneohe

Kailua tree droppings can create hazards

Proper landscaping along side a roadway is aesthetically pleasing. Along with this landscaping is the responsibility of maintaining the plants. A good example of what could happen when little maintenance is applied is in Kailua.

Anyone driving along Kailua Road in the heart of town can see the old leaves and hard, round fruits that drop and accumulate on the pavement and sidewalks. These hard round fruits are especially hazardous on the sidewalks where anyone can step on them and fall. This type of tree also is so dense that the street lights cannot penetrate them, which makes for a dark sidewalk and roadway.

Proper care is imperative to any landscape to ensure the public a beautiful and safe area to travel.

Michael Nomura
Kailua

Those who profit are war's only winners

Elizabeth Brandilywn Apana wrote of a pain of war only a parent could know ("Why does Bush want to hide their caskets?" Letters, Star-Bulletin, Oct. 28). I only pray never to feel that pain, but I realize it is a fact in the lives of many parents of soldiers fighting the Bush wars.

And for what? Security? Safety? A great New World Order devised by one misdirected family? What's going on here?

Orchestrating our great nation's direction is a privilege we give to the president of the United States. But Mr. President, please use a little forethought, some compassion, a little understanding of what makes this a great country. You seem to be sending us the way the wind (financial gain, political donations) blows.

As to the question of who wins in war, it is the infrastructure of war and the hangers-on of an administration that knows how to pay back its friends.

Douglas Schott
Maili

Unions, leave public out of labor disputes

A word to the bus strikers: Do not drag the public into your labor issues. Labor issues should be between you and your employer, not between you, your employer and the mass public.

Unions suffer no consequences when they strike. The employer loses; expenses are reduced, but revenue is still lost. Employees lose; they may receive unemployment or strike pay, but they lose some money. The union loses nothing.

Unions are responsible for nothing. They do not produce a product; they do not provide a service. I challenge local, state and the federal government to enact laws prohibiting unions from holding the public hostage.

There has to be at least one lawyer who knows of at least one statute that citizens impacted by the strike can use to sue the Teamsters for damages. Thousands of such lawsuits or a class-action suit just might get the Teamsters' attention.

Finally, how would you strikers like it if Hawaiian Electric employees, due to labor disputes, shut off electricity? Then, to compound the mayhem, HECO employees ask Board of Water Supply personnel, as a show of support, to shut off the water and sewer pumps. Now you know how the public views your strike.

Dave Steele
Waipahu

Animals treated better than suffering humans

At the same time my buddy "Max the dog" was being put to sleep because of pain from cancer of the prostate, the feeding tube of comatose patient Terri Schiavo of Florida was being removed. (The tube was later reinserted by the order of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.)

Without a legal living will, it is impossible to establish Schiavo's intent in this case. But my letter isn't written to address this issue.

My concern is in the method that was to be used to allow her death. My furry friend Max died peacefully by injection in less than 10 seconds. I experienced shock and awe when I read that Schiavo was to be starved and dehydrated, a procedure that could take up to 10 days.

Humans who wish to die rather than exist by artificial means of support deserve a peaceful 10-second death as opposed to a 10-day torturous experience, don't you think? Have we allowed our laws to supercede compassion?

Frank Rich
Lahaina, Maui

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[ BRAINSTORM! ] Historical markers? Other cities have permanent markers signifying historic sites or locations. Shouldn't Hawaii be equally accommodating to students and visitors? What should such markers look like in Honolulu? Design one! Remember, markers on walls require the owner's permission, but markers in the sidewalk belong to the city. Send your ideas, drawings and solutions by Thursday, November 13 to: brainstorm@starbulletin.com Or mail them to: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame Star-Bulletin 500 Ala Moana 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Fax: Brainstorm! c/o Burl Burlingame 529-4750