Halting rail would leave instant ruins

The front-page article in Sunday’s Star-Advertiser, which contained extensive details of the types of columns to be used in the construction of the proposed elevated rail system, raised some questions in my mind ("Long road ahead," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 19).

Obviously a great deal of thought has gone into this project. And now a great deal of tax money will be spent in its realization. What happens if the lawsuit initiated by former Gov. Ben Cayetano and Walter Heen, among others, is successful? Will Honolulu be left with an instant ruin — a sort of Stonehenge of the Pacific?

Ed Sullam
Waialae Iki

Disability permits don’t come easy

This is a response to "Disability permits being abused" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Feb. 20).

There are many people with handicapped-parking permits who use this entitlement because of a medical condition that is not blatantly displayed by appearance. The pain, suffering, and hardships that a chronic disease can render upon the body is a personal issue. I paid for my handicapped parking permit with a doctor’s certificate and a photo ID.

I wish for you to never need one and maintain your good health.

Janet Sato Nakamura
Wahiawa

Bullying law meant to promote equality

The opinion of James Hochberg that the "Hawaii Safe Schools Act" is "a threat to freedom of speech" raises some interesting questions, but is basically quite misleading ("Law aimed at bullying in schools poses threat to freedom of speech," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 19).

The proposed legislation would enable conversations about our differences and increase the possibilities of respect and tolerance while decreasing harassment and intolerance; an asset to freedom rather than a threat. The intention is to promote an understanding of equality and justice toward all people, not the promotion of any particular lifestyle.

Those of us who support the LGBT community are not promoting anything but fairness and compassion for everyone. This is not a "state-mandated orthodoxy" but an effort to become a more inclusive, accepting community.

John Heidel
Kailua

Welfare discourages self-respect, dignity

Democrats in this country seem to have forgotten what one of our more popular leaders once said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."

Our latter-day Democrats seem to be hell-bent on creating an entitled society that encourages dependency, rather than promoting self-help, self-reliance, enterprise and independence. Given free money and food, there is little motivation to work for a living.

Immigrants, like me, are thankful and appreciate that America is a land of opportunity, and that, if one is willing to work at any kind of job that is available, one can not only make a living but live with self-respect and dignity. Second World countries are thriving because there is no welfare. Hunger is a great motivator.

We do need to take care of those who are truly disabled, but not fraudulently so.

Pradeepta Chowdhury
Hilo

Anderson proposal could be abused

Public land from the Hygienic Store in Kahaluu to Waialua are what remain open now that lands from Diamond Head to Ko Olina have been developed. Now developers are eyeing Haleiwa, with an 80-room resort that’s much larger than the "small country inn" allowed for in the North Shore Sustainability Act.

D.G. "Andy" Anderson says 80 rooms might not pencil out at $216 per night. Having made the deal, he could enlarge and sell.

Consider this development along with Turtle Bay’s proposed hotels and Laie’s Marriott, and throw in the urbanization of Malaekahana. Public land should feel like ours, not Anderson’s "public/private park." Hotels discourage local access.

That the land is not maintained by the city is no excuse to sell it for debt. Why allow commercial interests to dominate our last local shorelines?

Paul Nelson
Waialua

Contraceptive edict violates Constitution

When will the American people wake up and see the disregard of our Constitution by the Obama administration? President Barack Obama and our local representatives took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Their actions seem to indicate that the oath means nothing, since all I hear from them is, "I support what President Obama is doing."

Obama’s mandate that employers cover contraceptives is not only an obtrusive attack on the Catholic religion but also on the constitutional freedom of religion. Due to an uproar from voters, Obama declared that the insurance companies will pay to provide free contraceptives to employees of Catholic institutions. This is an example of a government power grab.

What next? Will supermarkets be mandated to give milk and bread free to those in need?

Mr. Obama needs to get the people back to work and quit playing politics and campaigning for re-election.

Tom Fragas
Kailua

Principals should be getting top pay

Our principals are the commanders in the field; educational success for our children is far more dependent on their individual leadership at their schools than it is on the bean-counting, paper-pushing desk jockeys in the bureaucratic offices.

They should all be at the top of the pay scale, including combat pay as appropriate.

Peg Garland
Waialae Nui