The concerns raised in the letter, “Keep parking at Ala Moana Park” (Star-Advertiser, March 14), echo those expressed at various public meetings and online.

Much of the feedback concerns the reconfiguration of the parking and widening of the promenade. The proposed promenade plan calls for an improved green area where there would be more plant life to enhance this popular public space.

Much like how the parking plan calls for more stalls and road repaving, this plan involves adding more trees.

There is a broad level of support for many of the renovation projects underway or already completed, including beach widening, bathroom improvements, irrigation upgrades, tree planting and sand volleyball courts.

We will continue to honor Ala Moana as the “People’s Park” as we review findings from the public comment period along with the draft environmental impact statement. Nothing has been finalized and we appreciate our residents’ passion for this park.

Michele Nekota

Director, Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation

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#MeToo for hushed Inouye women

I support Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing’s distaste for naming our airport after the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, because I had that same reaction. It’s high time men with political power face up to what Harvey Weinstein has had to.

Richard Borreca’s article points to a possible “backlash” for Ing’s election (“Political history could offer lesson in campaign backlash for outspoken candidate Ing,” Star-Advertiser, On Politics, March 18). To me it shows that Ing is a man of integrity for taking the “backlash” risk.

Sylvia Thompson

Makiki

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Ing ought to show more maturity

Richard Borreca’s article on Kaniela Ing was correct when he said, “The Me Too movement is much needed and long overdue. But how much is Kaniela Ing, who voted for the Inouye airport name change, about #MeToo — and how much is it about #Kaniela4Congress?” Thanks to Richard Borreca for his insight.

Ing is taking Hawaii backward. There is no maturity or leadership in his style of politics. He needs to grow up and learn from his kupuna. His motives were purely political. It is the wrong kind of politics, and Hawaii does not need this kind of politics. Shame on him.

Marilee Y. Lyons

Haleiwa

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Recycling should be more convenient

There’s another solution to the bottle/can recycling issue besides increasing the deposit fee to 10 cents. Make returns and refunds more convenient.

While visiting New York state, I noticed that every large grocery store had stand-alone machines that “ate” empty, recyclable bottles and cans. The machines automatically count the number of returns, and print a receipt with the number of items, and the amount of the refund you are due.

You take the receipt to a cashier or customer service and they issue you your refund, or use it to lower your grocery bill. Easy and convenient. Return your cans and bottles at the same store where you bought them. Otherwise, we’ll be paying up to $2.40 in fees for a case of soda.

Janet J. Bamford

Kapolei

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Bicycle laws need better enforcement

Let me answer Janet Farquhar’s question (“Bicyclists should warn pedestrians,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 17).

It is against the law to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in a business district. The law has been on the books for decades. It has been frequently violated for as long as it has been on the books. Like many seemingly insignificant laws, it is poorly enforced.

Jim Pollock

Kaneohe

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Gunfight too much stress for a teacher

Most of the time, academics who argue about firearms don’t really have much training and experience with the weapons.

Rarely will you hear a teacher say that he is a war veteran or has prior law-enforcement experience.

Most war veterans and experienced law enforcement officers know that a rifle will always trump a handgun, because of the larger round and longer ballistic range.

Therefore, when you have an active shooter, you must shoot first or take a serious lopsided gamble that the active shooter will lay down his weapon when you point your handgun at him.

Most veterans and law enforcement officers, even though they are better trained than a teacher, have a very difficult time dealing with a firefight or gunfight.

I am not too sure that a teacher would be able to handle the stress from shooting someone as easily as academics may believe.

Keoni Ronald May

McCully-Moiliili

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Slater, Roth right about rail transit

I was delighted to read the common-sense approach to completing our rail system proposed by Cliff Slater and Randall Roth (“Transit innovations impel shorter rail,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 11).

Their thoughtful article assessed our current situation and suggested major advantages to completing the rail at Middle Street, taking into account actual data on changes in people’s transit habits, transportation innovations, and projected costs for project completion and operation.

Their “win-win” solution is well worth considering.

Sandra Anderson

Waialae-Kahala

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President doesn’t speak for everyone

After reading the quotation cited by Julie Davis in her article, “Trump repeats false trade claim after admitting previous bluff” (Star-Advertiser, March 16), as coming from President Donald Trump, I just had to write. Oh, the irony!

She quoted him as saying: “I had no idea. I just said, “You’re wrong. You know why? Because we’re so stupid.”

We?

I respectfully submit the president can only speak for himself.

Who knew? Once in a while the president can tell the truth — regrettably not knowing it.

Paul C. Franke

Salt Lake