Double dose of good rail news

I don't know if anyone noticed it, but there was a double dose of good economic news in Monday's rail transit story (”;Rail transit could cost less than projected,”; Star-Bulletin).

First, it looks like our rail system could come in substantially under budget. Construction materials and labor are cheaper in a down economy.

Second, the rail project will spend at least $200 million next year. That's $200 million in new money coming into our economy. The new revenue should help the bottom line for the state government. Maybe it's even enough to help avert some of the layoffs that the governor is talking about.

We have heard more than enough about declining revenues and layoffs in the last year. If rail can help fight that, then I am all for it.

Randy Cablay
Kaimuki

Develop sustainable future for isle

The Ho'opili project in West Oahu may be reconsidered by the state Land Use Commission: 1,500 acres of prime agricultural land could be rezoned for urban use; 12,000 homes, five schools and commercial areas are of meritable consideration.

I propose a compromise, a chance to set a national precedent: small acreage organic farms, homes with intensive garden designs, schools and small commercial areas. To the developer, D.R. Horton-Schuler Division: Do you have the vision? We know you have the money. To the Land Use Commission: The situation of our country calls loudly for people of talents and character to embrace compromise when promoting the public welfare. To the governor: In reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. As nations advance in population and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil an object of public patronage.

Ronald D. Sexton
Waialae

Blood conflated with citizenship

The Civil Rights Commission's opposition to the Akaka Bill is surprisingly appropriate. The Hawaiian kingdom, as a constitutional monarchy, was based on citizenship, not blood. All aboriginal Hawaiians in the kingdom were citizens, and so were others, those born to citizens or those who were naturalized. By Hawaiian law, all citizens were Hawaiian subjects; they owed allegiance to their Hawaiian sovereign and lived under the protection of kingdom laws.

For over 100 years, blood has intentionally been conflated with citizenship. Today, the largest institutions and the common people are equally confused. Pauahi Bishop left her estate to make schools for the children of the kingdom, and the heirs to that legacy are the descendants of those Hawaiian subjects, whether the estate pursues that legal foundation or not.

The kingdom of Hawaii was seized from its citizens, most of whom were of aboriginal blood, but any effort to seek historical justice must address all the citizens of that time and their descendants today. Any framework that relies on the conflation of bloodline and citizenship is an injustice to all, past, present and future.

Umi Sai
Kahaluu

Maui needs water treatment facility

I think that the only way we are going to get our Maui economy going again is if we have water to provide for new homes and businesses to take care of our local community. Without water, we will be stuck in this economic slump for who knows how long. That's why I support the Waiale water treatment facility coming on line as soon as possible.

Ryan Ouye
Kahului, Maui