Rail critics disrespect democratic process

Why are we allowing the voices of a few to drown out the voice of the people?

The Honolulu rail issue was put to the ballot and passed by majority vote; has everybody residing here forgotten about that? The people spoke but it seems as if nobody is listening.

These deaf ears include a lot of affluent and educated people (including an ex-governor), and I am offended that these "concerned citizens" are not hearing what the majority of the voting people said.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. What I do not respect are these "concerned citizens" trying to torpedo the will of the people every chance they get. Where is the integrity in that? I myself would be ashamed. It tells me that they don’t care about their neighbors or what they think.

I won’t tell you how I voted on this issue, but I will tell you this: I live in the banana patch as a homeowner. The state is in the process of taking my house, the house where I thought I would live out the rest of my days in, a place that I love. I don’t know where I will be living six months from now, but I do know this: I go willingly because I respect the democratic process and I honor the wishes of the people of this great state.

Rocky L Reid
Pearl City

Too many drivers here run red lights

I have been back to Hawaii for about nine months now after almost 15 years away, and I am alarmed about the number of people here who run red lights.

Every day during my commute to work, I see two or three fellow citizens run red lights at intersections, some very blatantly. Naturally I am concerned because such behavior is dangerous — not only to the violator, but also to other drivers.

It should not surprise that those who race through these lights are also prone to speed, cross solid white lines, even double white lines, and weave in and out of various lanes to save seconds on their commute.

Unfortunately, it will only get worse as each year our young drivers get their licenses and take to the road and adopt the driving habits of those around them.

While I would advocate cameras at intersections, I would also ask the police to clamp down on violators.

Ken Hartlein
Honolulu

Drivers must stop for people at crosswalks

Thank you very much for your recent articles describing the real problem of pedestrian safety here. As a survivor of a pedestrian accident, I appreciate your focus on this problem.

Last year I was struck by a motorist as I walked along Kalanianaole Highway in Hawaii Kai. I am very fortunate that I survived, though I am still dealing with the injuries. I am very conscious of pedestrian safety as a result, and I find it amazing that it is so common here for motorists to run red lights and ignore pedestrians waiting at marked pedestrian crosswalks.

I have no idea why the laws regarding these matters are not enforced. Perhaps a good beginning would be to enforce the common- sense laws already on the books.

Robert Jensen
Hawaii Kai

Corporations can be good for average Joe

Amid budget battles, the cries against corporate subsidies have intensified. Basically they are usually framed as rich corporations ripping off the American taxpayer.

But instead of letting ourselves get caught up in the very easy rage and envy, it is usually good to pause and at least try to understand basic economics.

The reality is that corporate subsidies can be good for the average Joe. The more money a corporation makes, the more it can hire and/or retain the American worker.

Don’t forget, too, that corporations are probably very much a part of your 401(k) plan, IRA and pension. Where do you think your retirement money is being invested? Subsidized corporations that are part of your retirement plans help you in your retirement.

Of course, there are some corporate tax breaks that should be repealed, but this should be done on an objective basis, not with an angry desire to punish. In fact, we should be encouraging oil companies to drill for new oil in America and offshore.

Leighton Loo
Mililani

Doubling golf fee unfair to seniors

Increasing the senior monthly golf card by 100 percent over two years is a callous and ill-advised proposal. What other group has faced such an unreasonable increase? Most of us seniors are on fixed incomes.

The mayor explains that the municipal courses are not expensive enough for us seniors when compared to the private courses; this comparison is ludicrous and patently flawed. The private courses have manicured grass on the fairways and greens, not gaping stretches of wastelands; sufficient yardage markers; much better drainage systems; fewer restrictions on when one can play and the number of holes one can play; and many more amenities.

We seniors should not be gouged. Our "golden years" will leave us holding the proverbial tin cup. We suggest a more modest increase that will not create such hardships on any one group.

Mr. Mayor, we seniors have faulty memories at times — but we remember to vote.

Larry Blume
Honolulu

Don’t squander state hurricane relief fund

It is obvious that the state government considers the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to be expendable because we have not been hit with a major hurricane in recent years and the outlook for this season is to be another mild one. It is not considering the near future as global warming and the rise of the ocean are happening faster than forecast.

The measure presented to Gov. Neil Abercrombie that was signed into law totally ignored why the hurricane fund was established. The Legislature essentially gave the governor the right to unilaterally raid and entirely drain the hurricane fund.

The Abercrombie administration and legislators have no idea the negative impact this will have, especially to the residents and businesses who "scraped bottom" to pay the high premiums of the hurricane fund.

Let us pray and hope that this liberal governor does the right thing and not fully squander the monies of the hurricane fund.

Drew Kosora
Honolulu