Why make civil servants sacrifice?

A state with some of the lowest civil service salaries, yet some of the highest costs of living, now focuses on reducing those salaries even more - all to save, what, less than half a cent on the dollar?

When will government learn from history?

During these hard economic times, our Legislature's priority should be to decrease government spending dramatically. We don't need any stimulus plan, because all that will do is create more government jobs and take more money from productive people.

The stimulus plan has an overlooked effect, where the money to pay for it comes from taxes, and the taxes hurt the economy. The only way for the stimulus project to improve the economy is if the government knew better than you about how to spend your own money (some actually believe this is true.)

The government needs to do the opposite of what it is planning on doing, which is having the government interfere even more with the free market. The government needs to make drastic budget cuts all around, so taxes can be lowered. The government stimulus project might help people get jobs in the short term, but will create even more prominent problems for future generations. The government needs to stop bailing out companies!

Our government needs to not repeat history from the Great Depression, where the government kept spending money it didn't have. When will we open a history textbook and not repeat the same mistakes?

Waianae is not ready for light industrial plan

Recently, Townscape, a planning consultant for the City and County of Honolulu concluded several meetings with the Waianae community on revising its Waianae Sustainable Community Development Plan. This plan reflects the community's vision for future development within Waianae.

The plan is supposed to be used by city's Department of Planning and Permitting and the County Council as a guide to development decisions.

The Waianae community consists of the ahupuaa from Nanakuli to Keawaula. Consensus was achieved on most of the revision of plan, with the exception of designating a light industrial area toward the back of Lualualei Valley, just outside the Navy Reservation.

Those who supported it, did so because of economic opportunities it could bring. Those who did not, pointed out that there was vacant land already zoned light industrial, located near Farrington Highway, which was not being used. There were concerns about additional traffic, and that the revision change would be made before an EA or EIS process, which would inform the community of potential impacts before the final decision was made.

Additionally, it seemed that the revised Development Plan was being utilized to benefit one specific business entity and that the business entity could at a later date, request a revision to the plan after it received approval for land use designation for agricultural zoning to light industrial zoning.

Since no consensus could be reached, we recommend that the City and County of Honolulu not include the light industrial designation at this time and adopt the revised Waianae Sustainable Development Plan with out it.

Start rail construction from downtown

The construction of the rail system should start in the heavily populated area, which is downtown/airport.

In view that unforeseen things could happen, and in the case that the project slows down or has to stop altogether for whatever reason, at least the system can be used to service and alleviate downtown traffic.

As it is now, it takes 30 minutes from Kapolei to Middle Street using Express Bus (22 miles) and it takes 20-25 minutes from Middle Street to downtown (5 miles).

Now we know who the culprit is. If the construction starts in east Kapolei and it has to stop, it will be a giant white elephant and a railway to nowhere.

Judges' bad decisions should bring scrutiny

I agree with Honolulu City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle that convicted child abuser Rita Makekau should be in prison as she awaits her appeal (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 23). The abuse she administered to the children in her care was brutal and intolerable, and she should not be a free woman today. Crimes against our vulnerable citizens, which clearly include children, cannot be treated lightly. I believe the judge made a terrible mistake in this case.

Recently, I have questioned some decisions by judges regarding convicted individuals. I know cases can be complex, but some decisions have just baffled me. I hope someone in the Judiciary is monitoring and reviewing these questionable decisions.