I was somewhat perplexed while reading a Waikiki writer’s rail-themed letter in the May 22 Star-Advertiser (“Ugly and night-idling rail is deplorable”). It mentioned that the aina would be subject to “desecration by those hideously disfiguring (rail) towers.” Presumably, the writer never drives on the H1, H2, H3, Dillingham Boulevard or Nimitz Highway. The last time I checked, the desecration train left the station several decades ago on these traffic-choked routes.

There isn’t much aina left to desecrate along these arteries. From Pearl Harbor all the way to Waikiki, the city is already chock-full of “hideously disfiguring towers,” and it is hard to see that rail can possibly make things any worse.

West Oahu commuters, who are also a part of the “general populace,” need a genuine alternative to spending several hours of their day going (very slowly) to and from work. Express buses have to travel on the same routes that all the other vehicles use.

As fellow taxpayers, West Oahu folks support infrastructure in all parts of Oahu, even including Waikiki.

Steve Pickering

Alewa Heights

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Don’t let cash turn city into ad billboard

I suppose that City Councilmember Kymberly Pine would like you to imagine that commemorative plaques are what she has in mind with this sponsorship bill. Unfortunately, it would allow nearly any person or corporation to advertise its existence and presumed virtues on city property.

The first sentence of the bill — now law — reads, in part, “it is in the best interest of the city to create and enhance relationships with the private sector.”

Why, one is compelled to ask, is it in the best interest of the city to “create and enhance relationships” with persons and corporations whose interests may differ from those of citizens? Corporations, for example, have beneficial owners who do not live in Honolulu and whose interests are solely monetary.

Please resist the temptation to turn our beautiful city into a virtual billboard for the sake of a few dollars. I would much rather you be honest and brave and raise our taxes.

Neil Frazer

Kailua

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Monitoring needed on disability placards

I firmly agree with the letter about handicap parking placards about how they are abused by those who really don’t need them (“Disabled person must be in car to use stall,” Star-Advertiser, May 22). As has been said, we cannot judge by a person who looks fine and well, as some illnesses aren’t obvious or noticeable.

But it seems there is no officer or security guard who should be looking, not only for the displayed placard, but checking the bluish card that came with the placard to see if the person to whom the placard was issued is presently there.

Those who are issued a placard are advised that they need to be in the car as a passenger or driver; the placard can’t be loaned to family and friends.

Many teens seem to be using their grandparents’ placards. And of course, there are some people who just take chances parking in the disabled parking with no placard — and never get caught.

Edna Esona

Wahiawa

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Disability not always visible, so ease up

Regarding the May 22 letter, “Disabled person must be in car to use stall”: I have handicap parking. In January 2017 I suffered a heart attack, and because of other health issues, my kidneys also shut down. I have had several doctor appointments and have dialysis three days weekly, four hours per visit. People looking at me wouldn’t know this because I look healthy, there’s a sprint in my walk, and my wounds are not visible.

Yes, I’m sure there are those who park illegally in handicap parking (what goes around will come around), but I like to believe the majority of us are legitimate. And yes, I’ve had my share of driving in circles and eventually find a parking stall, maybe not in handicap, but a stall. Suck it up! I don’t want to live anywhere else.

Loanna Ha’ae

Aiea

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Transparency helps in child abuse cases

I am a federal child welfare professional who served with Lillian Koller on loan from the federal government during the early Peter Boy Kema controversy. Koller’s current and past Peter Boy disclosures are nationally precedent-setting, as many states — I have worked in five other states — “hide behind” privacy while federal policy requires public disclosure of information on child deaths.

The problem was Peter Boy was never found dead. Koller should be commended for her transparency, past and present. Bless Peter Boy’s soul and be grateful that she has helped bring justice to him, and we can remember him and the other abused children of Hawaii.

Joseph Woodard

Arlington, Texas

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Give valuable help to kupuna caregivers

I totally agree with the article written by Kathy Jaycox in Sunday’s newspaper (“It’s time, finally, to enact kupuna caregivers law,” Island Voices). We are one step away from it becoming a godsend to many working caregivers. As an advocate for caregivers, the most important part of the bill is it will allow working caregivers to send their loved one to an adult day care center for up to 10 hours per day at a cost of about $70 per and it will be covered under this bill. This will reduce the caregivers’ stress level, knowing their loved ones will receive professional care as well as snacks and a nutritional lunch.

I have had two caregivers who could not afford the daycare and ended up with tragic results, including death because they had to leave their loved one home alone. We now need the public to urge the governor to sign the bill into law.

Ken Takeya

Kailua