President Donald Trump’s budget would eliminate support for the East-West Center here in Honolulu. It costs $20 million to maintain the East-West Center. Trump’s proposed wall would cost $21 billion.

The East-West Center builds bridges of understanding between the people of Asia, the Pacific and the United States. It has been doing this since its creation by Congress in 1960, through programs for students studying at the center and the University of Hawaii, scholars who research issues of concern to the region, journalists, educators, artists and performers.

One of these programs is the Asian Studies Development Program which, for more than 25 years, has worked to enhance teaching about Asia at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

American students need to know about and appreciate the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, an area of the world that is increasingly important to the United States economically, politically and culturally. Use our tax dollars to build bridges, not walls.

Mandy Bowers

Elizabeth Buck

Manoa

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Chinatown needs its own rail station

Stuart Shimazu recommended the elimination of rail stops (“Let developers help pay for rail stations,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 4).

Excellent, we need people’s opinions. However, we need the Chinatown stop.

Honolulu has one of the largest and oldest Chinatowns in the nation. Our locals and tourists love to go to Chinatown to visit, shop, dine and play. The rail stop at Chinatown will be just steps away from historic Oahu Market, Kekaulike Mall and Maunakea Street, the heart of Chinatown. Many of the immigrants came from the Kwangtung province. This influence can be seen in delicious restaurants throughout Chinatown. You also can find Vietnamese, Thai and Filipino cuisine, as well as exotic fruits, vegetables, and cooking ingredients in the many shops.

Like Waikiki, Chinatown is a major economic engine in our city’s economy. Let’s continue to support the Chinatown rail station.

Joseph W.C. Young

Honorary Mayor of Chinatown

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Banning Muslims is un-American

In response to Clarence Chun (“Divided country cannot stand,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 22): President Donald Trump is being blocked for ideological reasons.

America was founded by Europeans fleeing religious persecution at home. How can we turn away others facing similar persecution now? Trump’s Muslim ban goes against America’s core beliefs.

It’s ironic that conservatives are claiming Trump is being hindered when they hindered former President Barack Obama for eight years, and saw nothing wrong with that.

Terrence Ching

Waialae

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President trying to protect homeland

Given Wednesday’s carnage in London, and after recent attacks in Belgium, France and Germany, it is abundantly clear that Europe is being swept by a wave of crime and violence as a result of relaxed immigration policy (“Islamic State claims responsibility for UK attack,” Star-Advertiser, Top News, March 23).

In light of this, what is equally as manifest is the fact that opposition to President Donald Trump’s efforts to protect Americans from the same savagery is not based on a groundswell of virtue and compassion in the perpetuation of American values, but on blind hatred of a man for his personality and ideology.

Clearly, the motives of Trump’s detractors are based less on charity and benevolence extended to would-be immigrants and revolve more around the desire for his ultimate failure.

Joan Rank

Waialua

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Pave the roads, don’t just patch them

Oahu residents deserve repaved roads, not patches. A recent letter described Manoa roads filled with patches (“Manoa roads need more than patches,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 20).

Try driving on the Pali Highway where speeds are far greater than in the suburbs. Driving this highway is extremely dangerous, as drivers weave around countless pot holes and endless poor patching to prevent their cars from being permanently damaged.

I believe the residents of Oahu would support paying a premium to repave our roads in a timely manner, rather than the current program of patching. The state has more than $600 million in its highway account.

Let’s go folks, no more patching. Repave. Bring in more companies from outside and get it done.

Don’t get me started on our airport.

Scott Gomes

Kailua