Sunday’s Insight section provides the clearest reasons why rail needs to stop at Middle Street. The editorial, “Rail builders need to detail soaring costs” (Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 26), is absolutely astute in acknowledging that no matter what, “the taxpayer is footing the bill.”

The nonsense that the federal government and tourists are paying for rail was long ago proven false.

It’s Honolulu’s taxpayers, with a higher general excise tax for food, medicine, rent and so on, who are paying for rail.

But the politicians just can’t stop themselves.

House Speaker Joe Souki says, “Find the money; the money is there” — from taxpayers.

City Council Chairman Ernie Martin, says, “There are sources of funding other than raising property taxes” — from taxpayers (“Many sources of funding available to complete rail project as planned,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 26).

Certainly with a looming $10 billion rail transit system that does not reduce traffic congestion, the only question should be: Why?

Pam Smith

Ewa Beach

Local control better than federal largesse

In a re-election campaign ad in the June 26 Honolulu Star-Advertiser, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said, “The first obligation I have is to make sure Hawaii gets sufficient federal funds for our priorities.”

Unfortunately, this is the common theme for politicians running for federal positions.

Those with the most seniority get the most for their constituents. As federal lawmakers, their first priority should be the welfare of the United States as a whole, with a perspective toward representing their particular state or district.

It would be better to let state and local governments finance, decide and implement their own priorities. This would result in local control and higher local taxes, but a commensurate lowering of federal taxes.

Robert Karman

Hawaii Kai

Gun safety depends on early education

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono speaks, as do most people with little or no knowledge of guns or the people who own them, about keeping guns from those who shouldn’t have them (“Congress should represent American people, not NRA,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, June 26). I doubt anyone would disagree.

Hirono never hits on the real problem: accidental injuries and deaths. Most, if not all, of these incidents could be resolved if children in particular received training on gun safety.

I got my first gun at age 12 and also extensive instructions on how to use and care for it, including loading and unloading. I was told over and over again about the proper use of a gun. That was more than 65 years ago, and I’ve never shot anyone yet.

The public should realize that the biggest problem with guns is ignorance and fear.

Don Chambers

Mililani

More restrictions on fishery not needed

The Hawaii longline fishery is considered by the international community to be among the best managed and most responsible fisheries in the world.

There is a proposal on the table that would expand the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM) from 50 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles. However, the fishery has no impacts to the bottom of the sea and is the only activity affected by the proposed expansion.

Before we expand conservation areas and create restrictions to our fishery, we need to fully consider the impacts these expanded areas will have upon our local fishermen and food supply. PMNM already provides near-absolute protection for nearshore habitats.

If the expansion does not provide additional protections beyond those already provided by U.S. law, let’s not make it more difficult for our fishermen who ensure we have a fresh, sustainable supply of local seafood in Hawaii.

Roy Yamaguchi

Chef-founder, Roy’s Restaurant

Wealthy needn’t pay for air conditioning

Regarding air conditioning in schools, the state says it has no money and the public says the wealthy should pay (“Heiress could spend on schools,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 22).

This is inherently unfair; these people earned their money and generously give to many different organizations.

We should not expect them to pay for everything we need. Isn’t that why we pay taxes? We should be emulating them instead of asking for more charity.

Princess Abigail Kawananakoa has been donating money to our annual school supplies fund drives, which have been going on since 2006.

No one asked her — she just started helping out.

Because of the generousity of Princess Kawananakoa, her employees, her friends and our Waimanalo Agricultural Association members, we were able to supply Waimanalo Elementary with, among other things, fans for every classroom.

We know teachers spend their own funds too, so as members of a family-oriented community, we try to provide what we can.

Annette Lee

Waimanalo

Justice demands Low be sentenced

I read a most troubling article in the Star-Advertiser (“‘Fittest CEO’ given time to pay victims,” June 11).

David Low, who pleaded no contest to charges of stealing nearly $1 million from poor, innocent people, was slapped on the hands five times by Judge Colette Garibaldi, who basically said, “Naughty, naughty — go correct your mistakes and don’t do it again!”

One year passed, Low did nothing and Garibaldi said she needs six more months to make a decision on sentencing.

What is there to decide? The man is guilty. Why is he roaming free?

This is very troubling indeed. Grave injustice has been done to the innocent victims.

Cleo Akina

Piikoi