Kudos to schools for more free meals

While it is true that only “20 percent of conventional public schools in the islands” will be participating in the Department of Education’s free school meals program next year, only 89 of them are eligible for this federal program (see www.frac.org/community-eligibility-database/).

Schools with at least 40 percent of their students identified as very low-income are eligible, but those with at least 62.5 percent receive higher reimbursements. After adding 22 schools next year, all conventional public schools above that threshold will be in the program. While Hawaii was far behind the nation a few years ago, we will be reaching or surpassing the national average next year (www.frac.org/wp-content/uploads/CEP-Report_Final_Links_032317.pdf).

Still, Hawaii ranks 47th in the nation for low-income students’ participation in school breakfast. Expanding the free meals program is one important improvement. So while there’s a lot more work to be done, congratulations should be offered when deserved. This is one of those moments.

Nicole Woo

Downtown

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Ala Moana Park just fine as natural space

Ditto on “leave parks natural” regarding Ala Moana Park, as a recent letter was headlined (“Leave parks natural, minus commercials,” May 15). As Teddy Roosevelt said when he declared the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908, “Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it.”

We need green open space. With all of the high-rises in the area, green parkland is essential. A fenced-in playground for kids would probably cost an admission fee. And pray tell, what is wrong with open green space, the sand and ocean for play?

Mandy Bowers

Manoa

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Legislative inaction calls for fewer seats

We had a saying in the military: “Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way!”

None of these management attributes were in evidence in the recent legislative session. Lacking aggressive leadership and unified purpose, lawmakers acted befuddled while attempting to carry out conflicting agendas — it was more like shooting from the hip and hoping to hit something.

The fact that lawmakers had little to show in terms of resolving taxpayer uncertainties regarding taxation, rail, the homeless, school air-conditioning, etc., begs the question: Do we really need 76 representatives to conduct the legislative affairs of this state? Constant bickering among members of a one-party system, with strong personalities pursuing their own agendas, has greatly hindered effective government.

State government like that of Nebraska’s unicameral governing body made up of 25 members of both parties might offer a more balanced and efficient system of governing — while saving millions of taxpayer dollars for sorely needed but unfunded projects.

James Kyle

Waikiki

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Fixed-income kupuna can’t afford more tax

Regarding Tuesday’s letter, “Middle Street should be new transit hub,” which urged visionary links with rail: I, and hopefully many of Oahu’s residents, would agree to a “revenue-generating venture” over a future tax burden to all Oahu residents, especially to our fixed-income kupuna.

Gov. David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell, you’ll be a kupuna one day. We’re in a society of “smart devices,” not concrete structures — which are now partly, like the Kakaako high-rises, destroying our natural Hawaii scenery.

Carol Sarceda

Aiea

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Redesign plastics to do less wildlife harm

I have always opposed the plastic bag ban because plastic bags offer the most convenient way to tote cold/wet groceries home, keep groceries dry when it rains, and throw away trash. Plastic bags are also the most sanitary way to transfer animal excrement into fuel.

But all attempts to persuade people around the world to care for their environment have failed, so government has, once again, crippled the majority because of the few.

We know birds and fish avoid potential food because of their coloring, so why haven’t research and government entities identified colors and designs for plastic bottles and caps, bags and microbeads that even seagulls would avoid? It is clearly daft to continue manufacturing white plastic when we know what damage white plastic can cause.

Rico Leffanta

Kakaako

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Finish rail via GET, not property tax hike

Folks, rail is a reality — who in his or her right mind would want to go back and lose more money than it would cost to continue? Therefore, I strongly urge my fellow citizens to support Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Senate version of the bill to fund rail, i.e., a 10-year continuation of the current general excise tax to fund rail (an even better proposal is to extend it in perpetuity and fund rail all the way to Manoa, as well as give the state half of the funds to support the highway fund).

Who in his or her right mind would want to pay higher property taxes, increased car registration fees (even more if weight is added) and gasoline tax increases? It is a no-brainer. I urge all of my fellow citizens to support the mayor and the Senate by writing to their state representatives and tell them that the politics need to stop — and that the welfare of us, the taxpayers and the citizens of this wonderful state, must come first.

Paul Pitarys

Kapolei

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Inouye airport name to stymie visitors

One point I haven’t heard mentioned in the recent back-and-forth over the renaming of Honolulu International Airport to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport: For many people, “Inouye” is difficult to pronounce.

When the senator was in office, I would regularly hear variations such as “I know ya,” “In a way,” and “Annoy ya.” I foresee a long learning curve for future visitors to Hawaii.

John Wyth White

Haleiwa