Build stadium at UH-West Oahu

I had just finished Dave Reardon’s stadium column on the Monday sports page when I turned to the local section to see Nanea Kalani’s article about UH-West Oahu having 180 acres of vacant land for development as well as two nearby rail stations (“If they build it right, opportunities will come,” “UH picks master developer for West Oahu project,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 30).

So, if the stadium ostensibly is for the use of University of Hawaii sports, and UH needs a new stadium, it has ample land. Surely it could carve off 20-30 acres near one of the rail stops and work with the state to build a state-of-the-art facility for everyone to enjoy, especially with the population in West Oahu growing.

Mike Hanson

Mililani

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Mayor proposes another money grab

So, Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to extend the general excise tax surcharge for rail and share the proceeds with the state (“Mayor proposes larger share for state,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 1).

The surcharge was enacted to assist in funding the rail transit system. The legislation requires that proceeds be used exclusively for this project.

The mayor wants to change the game yet again and sell his second tax extension by sharing the revenue with the state. When will this money grab end?

Rail costs have risen from $4.6 billion to $6.6 billion to $8.2 billion with current projections at around $10 billion. What can we expect next in this continuing series of lies and deceptions?

Brian Kimata

Makiki

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HMSA plan won’t cover most costs

Kristen Consillio’s article on the new Hawaii Medical Service Association physicians’ payment plan presents an accurate view of the problems that doctors face with the new alterative bundled payment model (“Doctors praise and pan new HMSA payment plan,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 30).

The insurance companies, including Medicare, assume that by eliminating the traditional fee-for-service model and paying a fixed monthly rate per patient instead, the physician will be forced to provide value-based rather than volume-based service. This assumption overlooks the added administrative and increased staff salary costs, which are particularly onerous to the private practice-based physician.

It is unrealistic to assume that the new payment model will effectively lower health care costs.

Physicians’ fees make up only 10 percent of the total health care costs. Other factors, such as the steeply escalating pharmaceutical, administrative and technology costs were left out of the plan, thus assuring failure in the effort to lower health care costs in the United States.

Malcolm Ing, M.D.

Nuuanu

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Don Ho a good name for Honolulu airport

I read with interest a letter about naming our Honolulu International Airport after an individual who was prominent in our islands (“Name airport after Daniel Inouye,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 31).

Who better to name the airport after than Don Ho? Ho entertained for many years, bringing warm aloha to tourists and locals alike. His name is known far and wide, without political connotations. He and his family lived in the islands through the years.

I would kindly request the Honolulu Airport be named “Don Ho International Airport” in the spirit of the Hawaiian Islands and aloha.

Joyce Cassen

Aina Haina

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Recognize fallen heroes for a change

It’s time to recognize those who selflessly served, fought for our liberty, and protected us from evil by giving the ultimate sacrifice. We should recognize those who never returned to enjoy what they fought for by naming airports and other facilities after them.

We have enough facilities, institutions and warships named after politicians, but we forget to honor those who are gave more than the politicians gave.

We have essentially forgotten the sacrifices our protectors paid. Unfortunately, they have become “the forgotten” again, and the timeless adage comes to mind: Out of sight, out of mind. Let’s honor those who gave more than the rest of us reading this combined did.

Consider this whenever we hear people clamor to name this or that after someone who enjoyed their high-society life.

Col. Don Clark

U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

Aiea

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Commission erred with settlement

The events leading up to the removal of the Honolulu police chief has exposed the incompetence of the volunteer Honolulu Police Commission.

The commission has purposely avoided open hearings, possible violating the Sunshine Law. Like it or not, public trust is essential to the function and credibility of the Commission. Why has there been a $250,000 “settlement” when a federal trial is pending?

Three cheers for Loretta Sheehan, who is the one commission member who merits the public’s trust. Commission members should re-evaluate the “settlement” and be mindful that they represent the public and not the police chief.

Tony Locascio

Waikiki

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Online tax records seem incomplete

The state’s tax director, Maria Zielinski, recently responded to criticism that problems with the department’s computer systems may be a reason for lower-than- expected tax collections (“Examination wanted for $59M tax system,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 20).

Zielinski’s stated confidence in accurate reconciliation seems to be misplaced, if my account is any indication.

After the department transferred its records and online filing to a new website this year, I found that the filings listed for me are not remotely close to my record of filings on the former site — in fact, seven years of filings are completely missing, and of the ones that did transfer, only 40 percent of what I paid is reflected on the new site.

I got an online response to my query that said all of my filings were transferred, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Karin Lynn

Moiliili