Road repaving was pilot project

Melvin Minakami was correct in his observation that the recent road work on Hind Iuka Drive in Aina Haina was not like other repaving work ("Recent repaving seems superficial," Letters, Sept. 4). This resurfacing used a pavement preservative process called Slurry Seal. It is a preventative maintenance approach used to extend the life of pavement that is structurally sound but may be showing surface distresses.

Upper Hind Iuka Drive is part of the city’s pilot project for this cost-effective maintenance procedure. Slurry Seal costs $36,000 per lane mile, while traditional repaving methods cost $130,000 for the same length of road. The Slurry Seal material is expected to last approximately three to five years, depending on the condition of the road it is placed on.

Low pay is why teachers quit

Teachers don’t leave Hawaii because of low job satisfaction or because the job is too hard and we weren’t expecting it. Teachers leave Hawaii because based on our rate of pay, the state doesn’t encourage us to stay. In a national comparison of teacher pay rates versus cost of living, Hawaii ranks dead last every year. We simply don’t get paid enough to live here for very long.

We love our kids, but that doesn’t pay rent or put food on the table.

Apo on Council did a great job

Rick LaMontagne’s statements about City Councilman Todd Apo are inaccurate and unrealistic ("Apo should help pay for new vote," Letters, Sept. 3). With Apo’s leadership as Council chairman, we have had a very harmonious and functional City Council, despite the challenges facing our island. From rail transit to aging infrastructure, he has addressed the needs of a diverse community by balancing civic compromise with practical solutions.

I thank him for his hard work and dedication to the people of the Leeward Coast, and only hope that his successor will work just as hard and with as much passion for public service.

Carlisle sincere and passionate

The recent political ads criticizing Peter Carlisle are upsetting.

As far as raises are concerned, I was present at the salary commission hearing in 2008 when Mr. Carlisle declined consideration for a raise and cited the poor economic state of the city.

It is true that when funds are available, pay parity is sought — and obtained, if the salary commission concurs.

As a former police administrator, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Carlisle until my retirement last year. He and his team of prosecutors were great partners for the law enforcement community. He has always been passionate, sincere and aggressive in his approach to prosecution and is a pleasure to work with.

Caldwell would help downtown

I am a small business owner in the arts district.

I believe that acting Mayor Kirk Caldwell has the foresight and vision to make downtown, the arts district and Chinatown economically vibrant. He listens to people with sincerity to find solutions. He has local values and an appreciation of the cultural diversity that makes up our neighborhoods.

His collaborative style gets things done for small businesses to thrive.

Let’s promote water efficiency

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply should continue to provide rebates to encourage water efficiency. Now is not the time to waste our precious resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a WaterSense program with new and even more efficient performance standards. While this effort focuses on private partnerships, actually writing it into the building code should be supported by the board and initiated by the Honolulu City Council.

Water efficiency is the cheapest form of supply. Just as there are rebates for energy efficiency retrofits, Honolulu should continue its successful efforts to save ratepayers money through incentives and mandating all new construction and major renovations meet the new standards.

Water efficiency also reduces the amount of wastewater that has to be treated and disposed of, which is a further savings when faced with increased rates.

All we need is some leadership.