Give a thought to the homeless

Each year the first day of winter is observed in a variety of ways. One somber observance is the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. This is a day to remember those who have passed away while homeless or without address.

Some may argue that winter in Hawaii is hardly severe enough to endanger anyone’s life. But homelessness can be deadly even in this tropical paradise. With homelessness can come a slow erosion of both the body and spirit. The longer folks live on the streets the worse their health becomes. Such "simple" health concerns as cuts and scrapes or the flu can become exacerbated and lead to infections and pneumonia.

The rain and wind surely take their toll. Add to this the emotional burden of struggling each day to survive and the tension of often being seen as an outcast or an eyesore.

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is a memorial day we should commit ourselves to never having to observe again.

Encourage use of TheBus

Let’s assume that rail will cost too much, as reported in the Star-Advertiser ("Cost will balloon, rail report finds," Dec. 3). Drop rail and take the money and fix our potholes.

Let’s also agree that TheBus is the best transit system in the U.S., as its "Best Transit System" awards tell us. Let’s encourage more people to use TheBus and leave their cars at home a couple times a week.

Fixing potholes and more people riding TheBus are both good for Honolulu streets.

Another thing: Don’t let people drive without auto insurance, which is estimated at a whopping 30,000 cars or more daily. This could easily be implemented. Require a double swipe at the pumps: first with a plastic card from the driver’s auto insurance company verifying the driver’s auto is insured. If insured, the driver’s credit card is the next swipe. This completes the gas pumping. No insurance, no gas.

Imagine our streets without potholes and excessive traffic. Action anyone?

Librarians can teach reading

With the graying of Hawaii comes concerns for the younger generations.

Reading scores are too low. Our kids need to do better. Research shows improvement tends to come from reading for enjoyment. Interest will make a significant difference.

Librarians are essential because they buy the right materials. They talk up "good reads" rather than reading level and points. They are cheerleaders for readers. However, in my neighborhood, all but one elementary school has put their librarian back into the classroom.

Aloha is alive in neighborhoods

Aloha really is alive in our Hawaii. Here’s how I know: Recently Noelani Elementary had its annual craft fair. In keeping with tradition, holiday music boomed joyously far and wide.

Well, two of us seniors in the adjacent neighborhood are not at all well and are struggling with our health. I ventured out to ask the folks in charge of the music if they would, as a special favor to us, be willing to greatly tone down the volume. And you know what happened? They did! They even put in some breaks from the music, too!

I want everybody to know that in Hawaii you still can find aloha. As we start our holiday season, savor this thought, that true aloha is in your neighborhood.

Rail study co-writer is rail critic

The presence of Thomas A. Rubin as a co-author of newly released rail finances report is important information for the public to know when trying to decide if the report is, in fact, objective and unbiased ("Cost will balloon, rail report finds," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3).

In a June 2008 story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he is described as "a prominent rail transit critic backed by two conservative think tanks," and "is best known for studies that oppose light rail and commuter trains and promote public buses in Los Angeles and elsewhere."

The Reason Foundation, one of the two conservative think tanks, lists five contributions on its author page for Thomas A. Rubin: All five are anti-rail pieces (http://reason.org/authors/show/748.html).

In local terms, this is like asking Panos Prevedouros or Cliff Slater to write an objective evaluation of the rail transit finances. Both are experts, but with clear and active political positions.

I have my own doubts based on data from the city’s budget reports and would love to see a comprehensive unbiased accounting of the rail funding plan. It is unfortunate that we still do not have one.