Symphony debut was wonderful

I just returned from the awesome debut of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra and am still in heaven. The performance was clean and crisp, the program delightful, and it was gratifying to be in a full house joining in three emotional standing ovations.

There were many other heartwarming moments: Aaron Mahi opening the program with a traditional oli; Hawaii’s own brilliant pianist, Lisa Nakamichi, playing Mozart; Naoto Otomo, one of Japan’s foremost conductors, leading the orchestra; the lei bestowed on each musician during the final, much prolonged ovation; and the outpouring of aloha between the musicians and the board of directors, who came on stage after intermission to thank everyone for their support.

Our symphony’s return is something we should not take for granted. Hawaii’s music lovers need to keep filling the house. If it is to continue making music, the symphony must have our community’s support; it certainly has mine.

Helga Emmerson
Nuuanu

Simple caricatures miss deeper points

Al Braidwood’s comments ("GOP attacks show misogyny still lives," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 4) are thoughtfully and intelligently delivered.

Unfortunately, he craftily employs the age-old tactic of the left to twist the facts in order to paint the opposition as the villain.

The GOP suggests reining in a huge, expensive and outdated regulatory authority?

We want dirty air and water. The GOP opposes Obamacare for what should be obvious reasons? We want to push old folks in wheelchairs over the cliff.

And now the GOP opposes a measure that would trample the First Amendment right to establish and freely practice religion without hinderance or interference from government?

Predictably, we are accused of lack of empathy for women and their perceived rights.

Since when does anyone have the right to free contraception that would trump the First Amendment? Clearly, there is a disconnect in leftist philosophy with the concept of individual responsibility upon which this nation was founded.

Steve Hinton
Makaha Valley

Streamline process for driver’s licenses

News reports show a mad rush to avoid the new requirements for obtaining new driver’s licenses and renewals.

The list of acceptable documents required to verify legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and legal presence seems like a heavy burden on applicants as well as state and city offices.

There are certain documents that most people carry with them, or should, such as their Social Security card and government ID cards. Other documents may not be as readily accessible and may require searching or application to the government for a replacement copy.

In this computer age, a lot of time, effort and aggravation by all parties could be avoided if those documents which are already on file could be verified electronically.

It also would help to remove uninsured and under-insured drivers, which would reduce the burden on the state and city governments as well as other drivers who are adequately insured.

Rudy Yap
Kaneohe

Early boarders will get seats they need

Some recent statements regarding the Star-Advertiser story about the number of train car seats needed clarification ("Rail needs more seats," Star-Advertiser, March 1).

In response to a recent letter, increasing the number of seats on our Honolulu trains will not increase the cost of the existing Ansaldo train car contract. That is because the trains are still being designed, and have yet to be manufactured.

In fact, the Honolulu rail project team late last year was already in the process of increasing the seating for each two-car train from 64 to 76.

Also, while rail passengers boarding in West Oahu would potentially have the longest ride, they would also be the first to board, and have the best chance of finding a seat. Seats would then open up along the way as some passengers get off at major employment centers such as Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Airport.

Jurgen Sumann
Chief systems engineer, Honolulu rail transit project

Too old to stand while riding rail

I read with horror the Star-Advertiser’s front-page story in which a consultant revealed that on the proposed train there would be only 64 seats, maybe extended to a dozen more, with standing-room only for as many as 254 riders.

I’m 68 years old and decrepit, so it’s important that when I enter a city bus I have a good chance to obtain a seat, as many young people pretend not to notice when an elderly person enters the bus.

I am not going to ride a vehicle where my chances of obtaining a seat is roughly one out of five.

David Henna
McCully

Mainland prison not cheaper after all?

Last week our state officials told us that we could save money by expanding our prisons and by bringing prisoners back from the mainland.

Several years ago, before our country’s economic distress, state officials told us just the opposite — that it would be cheaper to send our excess prisoners to the mainland and not expand our prison facilities.

I think we could really save money by getting rid of those officials who pander to political forces and invent numbers to suit their cause. At the salaries they get, they should be able to do a minimally acceptable job.

Without honest, accurate and unbiased estimates, it is impossible to weigh the merits of costs and other displacement problems and come to a decent solution.

Les Spielvogel
Hawaii Kai