Kakaako noise is unrelenting

Cynthia Oi could have included the existing noise factor in Kakaako, such as bar traffic until 2-3 a.m., followed by industrial traffic, followed by rush-hour traffic, all punctuated with boom boxes operating at full blast competing against repair shops testing motorcycles and scooters without mufflers at full throttle whilepolice and ambulance sirens operate at maximum decibels ("Visions of new Kakaako promising and perilous," Star-Advertiser, Under the Sun, March 15).

Oicould also have posed a question ignored by government: Who wants to live next to a train rumbling down the tracks every 10-15 minutes, knowing even a baby can’t put up with that?

Rico Leffanta
Kakaako

Some soldiers disrespect Oahu

As a retired Vietnam veteran, perhaps I’ve earned the right to say this.

I am all for a strong military, and it is not my intent to bash the military as a whole. However, I am concerned over the example and behavior of some military members in our community.

I know the specific behavior I am outlining here is not limited to military members. But, as a retiree, I just think that present and former military members should display higher standards of conduct, higher standards of respect, and higher standards of responsibility — on base and especially while off base.

Specifically, I am disgusted at the lack of responsible conduct and respect shown by some Schofield personnel while off base. The boom-box car stereos, speeding in cars and dangerous and discourteous operation of sport bikes — all contribute nothing to endearing the military to our community.

You, our military, are supposed to be highly disciplined. How about showing that in your own communities?

Dave Verret
Mililani

Rail might not meet ADA rules

A recent letter ("Will rail stations meet ADA rules?" Star-Advertiser, March 16) raises a good question.

The answer is: Maybe not.

First, wheelchair users will have to use elevators to access station platforms because the height of platforms makes it unfeasible to build ramps. Stations will therefore be inaccessible when elevators are out of service because of repairs or power failures.

The city says trains will always have enough power to reach the next station, but without electricity to run elevators, passengers in wheelchairswould have to be carried down stairs or rescued from stations by the Fire Department.

Second, trains will have no conductors or engineers on board. If children who cannot communicate are separated from parents off the train, there may be no one to open doors or to stop the train from moving. The city says station platforms will have emergency call buttons.

Neither solution seems adequate.

John P. Dellera
Kahala

Japan should halt whaling

Frankly, I hope that the Japan Travel Bureau "whale" vehicles remind everyone who sees them of Japan’s reprehensible whaling policy ("Whale of a ride," Star-Advertiser, March 12).

Despite near universal condemnation, this policy is carried out in the name of research, but the only research I know of is boot- legging whale meat to restaurants in Japan and abroad, including U.S. West Coast, and trying to initiate a taste for whale meat by giving samples to young people.

I have a high opinion of the Japanese people and culture overall, and hope the day will come when Japanese no longer tolerate the annual state-sponsored slaughter of hundreds of whales in their name.

Alberta Joy Freidus-Flagg
McCully

Occupiers here have overstayed

The Occupy Honolulu encampment at Thomas Square is a lot like mold in your house — clean it up but it just keeps coming back.

Despite the city’s efforts, Honolulu citizens have been treated to four months of ugly tents, ugly signs and ruined grass on a very conspicuous corner.

With their sometimes illegible and often irrelevant signs, the Occupiers have managed to twist the noble principle of free speech into free screech.It is long past time for them to fold up their tents and go away.

Kay Kibby
Makiki