Firms on Nimitz can do their part

Driving along Nimitz Highway toward town, it struck me, as it has often in the past, that the businesses along the stretch between the airport and the downtown area could be doing their part to beautify the stretch of road.

Why should it be only the city’s responsibility?

I could name at least a dozen businesses, if not more, that are just eyesores on both sides of the road.

Rather than name the failures, I’ll suggest everyone take a look at the D. Otani Produce location and follow its lead.

If the businesses feel they can’t afford plantings, surely a fresh coat of paint would at the very least show a good-faith effort.

Barbara Norton
Honolulu

Let’s simplify reapportionment

The Reapportionment Commission is redrawing political boundaries because it’s been 10 years since the last time, and district populations must be within a certain-thousand people.

Why? If a district triples in population in 2013, the people have to live with it for eight years until the boundaries are redrawn.

"Underrepresented" — what does it matter? You’re represented. Get over it and vote.

Come to think of it, since the state government mirrors the federal government, why are Hawaii’s state Senate seats based on population at all?

There are four political counties on seven populated islands in Hawaii — all with different flavors. Why not have an equal number of senators from each county (or better yet individual islands, including Niihau)? Everyone knows where an island starts and stops, and it doesn’t change much.

Fred Fogel
Volcano

Rail-bus fare will help save costs

Joseph Uno’s letter revealed a basic misunderstanding of how future Honolulu rail system expenses will be paid ("If rail fails, other programs will suffer," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 17).

He said if fares from rail patrons cover only about 30 percent of rail’s operations and maintenance expenses, either existing programs will have to be cut or taxes raised.

In 2000, the City Council set a policy for bus fares to recover between 27 and 33 percent of its operating costs. It is my understanding that the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transpor- tation’s board will set fares for the fixed guideway once it is up and running, and would work with the Council on a single fare for the combined bus and rail transit system.

Since a streamlined bus network with rail’s efficiencies will result in a better overall Honolulu transit system, neither of Uno’s fears will be realized after Honolulu rail is operating.

Wesley Shibuya
Wahiawa

Prosecutor lags in aiding women

I am writing in response to "Our View" ("United effort needed to fight domestic violence," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 17), and the Family Justice Center solution suggested by the city prosecutor’s office.

The prosecutor’s office does not get it. The prosecutor’s office has done very poorly in actually prosecuting crimes against women, such as domestic violence, rape and murder. What makes you think this office will magically come through now? Fairy dust?

When I see more crimes against women in our community being prosecuted, then maybe we can give this "ole boys’ office" a go with their idea.

Nancy Manali-Leonardo
Honolulu

Schatz unfairly favored shuttle

I was appalled to see Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz advertising the new shuttle service at Honolulu Airport.

Since when does our state government have the license to support one business over another? That is, the tacit endorsement of the shuttle service over the taxi companies that for years have served our community without the apparent support of our state government.

In my opinion, the lieutenant governor owes a huge apology to the taxi industry for his enthusiastic, opinionated statements on how the shuttle service would be of benefit. Government should not interfere in free enterprise. Period.

Roger Williams
Mililani

Wear helmet, avoid anguish

The common answer to proposed helmet laws is that not wearing one is a matter of personal freedom, that it is "my right" to die this way if I wish.

I had a young friend who rode without a helmet after the helmet law was reversed in Maine by biker club pressure on politicians. He had a low-speed accident, rear-ending a car that pulled quickly in front of him and slowed fast. He was thrown and slid into the curb, receiving brain damage. He can do rote work like stacking boxes or wood, can’t drive a car, and lives with his parents, who now have no life of their own. The families of the dead or damaged — wives, children, parents and friends — have to live with the remains of such a Live Free Or Die mentality. And if a biker hits me and dies because he was not wearing a helmet, I have to live with that grief and trauma for the rest of my life.

So don’t tell me that legislatures are moral or ethical in allowing bikers to go without helmets while I can get fined for not wearing my seat belt.

Paul Nelson
Waialua

John Carroll deserves notice

We were somewhat surprised at the comments on John Carroll for U.S. Senate ("Now it’s a race!," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 12).

Carroll is a former state senator. He was successful in past campaigns and has a great deal of business, military and legal experience. He also is a Korean War veteran.

It should be noted that Abraham Lincoln also lost a few campaigns. But he became a great U.S. president. John Carroll has the wide range of experience that we need in a U.S. senator.

William Crawley
Honolulu

Stockholders can push reform

A letter writer laments the steep rise in American corporate executive compensation as justification for heaping even more taxes on the wealthy ("America’s rich lack noblesse oblige," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 13).

The problem is not one of wealthy people being under-taxed, but of citizen neglect, especially ordinary American stockholders.

If the energy now being squandered in current "Occupy" demonstrations were transferred from the street to stockholder meetings, real pressure could be exerted on corporate directors who call the shots on hiring, pay and benefits.

As a public school teacher, I have a dog in this fight. Were it not for the taxes now disproportionally confiscated from wealthy people, there would be no school and no job. Selfishly, I hope my students use the skills they are now striving to develop to one day create a bloom of wealth for themselves, their families and their communities. That would be a proud legacy indeed.

Thomas E. Stuart
Kapaau