Abercrombie, Carlisle pro rail

Regarding the letter from Ray Horita ("Election shows anti-rail mood," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 21) Mr. Horita should check the facts: Neil Abercrombie said he will sign the rail final Environmental Impact Statement "on Day 1"; and on election night, Peter Carlisle said about the rail project, "The shovel should go in the ground tomorrow."

I don’t get "anti-rail mood" out of that. They both have supported rail from the beginning of their campaigns, and I’m sure voters were aware of that.

As a person involved in the project, I appreciate their commitment to creating jobs and reducing traffic. I think voters confirmed that on Saturday.

Aiona changes tune on debates

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona is calling on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie to challenge him to six debates to talk about the issues. I find it very hypocritical of him to do so.

Four years ago, when my father, Randy Iwase, was running against the Lingle/Aiona ticket, Gov. Linda Lingle agreed to just one debate. Aiona was challenged by Malama Solomon to a debate and he refused. Why couldn’t he talk about the issues then?

Let’s legalize write-in votes

Hawaii does not allow for write-in candidates for any political position. Many states have a provision to write in a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot.

Write-in candidates rarely win, and votes are often cast for ineligible people or fictional characters. However, in a democracy where all men and women are supposedly created equal, there is no reason to not make room for write-in candidates.

I would like to write in the names of the few people I know who care about the health, well-being and future of our island, and seem to have more passion than most of the politicians running.

DOT project seems a waste

Those who oversee state Department of Transportation projects missed the make-work project on Kahekili Highway — the one that stabilized a slope that was in no need of repair. For more than 25 years, the slope was held by plants, including bamboo orchids, that have all been removed.

This time, it was several hundred thousand dollars to grub and clear, install matting, a drip-irrigation system and hydro-mulch, and plant a non-Hawaiian plant as an experiment in erosion control. There was no planting of endemic species, or at least one that can survive with the rainfall of the area.

Is money that readily available so that this type of project can go on?

Jack brings back Rainbows logo

Thank you, Jack in the Box, for bringing back the University of Hawaii Rainbows football logo. Since Rainbow football logos are forbidden to be sold in UH Rainbowtiques, you have helped to fill a void in former Rainbows’ memorabilia supply and heal a deep wound in our hearts.

Way to go, Jack! Go Bows! You’re back!

‘Hawaii Five-0’ felt empty

The new CBS version of the iconic "Hawaii Five-0" appeared to have reached a new Technicolor abyss by excessive stereotyping of characters throughout the hourlong drama. It failed also to make an emotional connection with our beautiful state.

If anything, this new crime drama will likely make visitors think twice before booking that Pacific flight to Honolulu. This is unfortunate and a missed opportunity. There was an almost-seeming purposefulness in avoiding Hawaiian culture that pervades this initial episode. Most likely mainland viewers will simply saw the blue ocean and the luxury estates and exotic locales, while failing to make any connection with Hawaii.

The final scene felt so empty even when the characters were trying to find a shared spirit. This was the most disappointing part that no family, no ohana, was evident in this new drama.

Remake was exciting, creative

After actually viewing the "Hawaii Five-0" premiere, I must say that I found it exciting and creative. As with the original show, the camera work was spectacular. The intertwining of cases and the possibility of a nemesis for Steve McGarrett, as in the original show, is great.