Congress debate made roles clear

If you are still undecided about who to vote for in the upcoming special election for the congressional seat U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is vacating, Wednesday's Smart Business Hawaii congressional debate clarified matters:

If you want a cheerleader for big government, a stat-ist who will try to expand the power of the federal government at every opportunity, someone in virtual lockstep with the agenda of the “;Two Dans”; and Hirono, Colleen Hanabusa is your hard-left choice.

If you feel it is morally reprehensible to vote for a Republican, but want someone who will at least occasionally vote to limit the growth of the federal government, such as voting against the Jones Act, Ed Case is the center-left choice.

If you're looking for someone who will try to slow down the growth of the federal government, and vote against tax increases, Charles Djou is the center-right choice.

If you're looking for a libertarian who will invariably advocate for greater individual freedom and try to shrink the power of the federal government at every conceivable opportunity — sorry, no such candidate showed up.

Governor wrong about rail costs

The cost savings from building the Honolulu rail line on city streets are half what Gov. Linda Lingle stated (”;Lingle calls city's rail plan costly, elevated tracks ugly,”; Star-Bulletin, Jan 9). One cannot subtract from the inflation-adjusted per-mile cost of the Honolulu line — $270 million — the per-mile cost of a comparable light rail system like Phoenix Metro — $70 million — and conclude, as she did, that at-grade track is $200 million cheaper per mile.

Current-year prices must be compared with similar figures; the current-year cost of the Honolulu rail system is $4.33 billion, or $217 million a mile.

However, a direct comparison is also wrong, because any Honolulu rail system will carry more people than the Phoenix line, thus costing more per mile. Phoenix has 36 railcars to carry 50,000 daily riders, and 3,513 parking stalls for motorists. Our line will have 85 railcars for 116,000 daily riders, and 4,100 parking spaces. Thus, any at-grade, Honolulu light rail line must have at least twice as many railcars as Phoenix, larger stations, a bigger carshop, and also take three times more land than an elevated line.

The half-elevated system Lingle wants would cost barely $50 million less per mile than an all-elevated line, with slower and less reliable service, less safety for motorists and pedestrians, more buildings demolished, and more unmitigable noise problems. Another half-baked manapua for Oahu residents.

Fireworks fetish is curable illness

There are an incredibly large number of insane people who, for weeks before and after New Year's Eve, show their insanity by blowing up bombs that shake windows, unnerve war veterans and cause pets to have nervous breakdowns.

Nobody can or will do anything until violence occurs against the violators, and it will probably happen. Neighbors need to take action. Don't be afraid to testify against insane people; work together to cure this illness.

It takes time to help homeless

This is in response to the letter from Michael Foft and Bill Mcrory (”;Homeless issue disgusts tourists,”; Star-Bulletin, Jan. 15): I am so sorry your trip was disrupted by some of our less fortunate citizens, but you seem to be under the misguided delusion that Hawaii is something like Disney World. The residents here are not spectacles for your amusement or displeasure. We are living here with the same problems that plague the rest of the country.

Yes, we have a homeless issue and there are plans in action to help, but, like any new government program, it takes time to get through the red tape.

I am sorry to hear that you might not return; the revenue you provide will be missed. For your next trip, if you seek to escape from the troubles of the world, don't leave the hotel.

Mayor should fix homeless issue

I am a long-time resident of Waikiki and take daily walks up to the lighthouse. I cannot agree more with your letter from visitors from California that stated our homeless situation in Waikiki, and especially Queen's Beach, is totally out of hand. I believe the buck stops with our mayor. Many of our neighbors are now calling the situation at Queen's Beach “;Mufi's Campground.”;

If our mayor is seriously seeking higher office, I ask all out there to consider the mess he has allowed to happen. I really don't think higher office is the next step if he cannot take care of this situation.

If this is allowed to continue, it will affect our economy, and this means jobs for all us local folk.