‘A’ hospitals deserved kudos

The article, "Isle facilities rank low in patient safety," misses the mark (Star-Advertiser, June 6).

The real headline is the story about the two hospital systems — Kaiser Foundation and Straub — that earned A’s.

What are those hospitals doing right to earn top marks?

My mother is currently a patient at Kaiser and I can attest to the extraordinary ways that it ensures her safety, including clear communication between the health professionals, the patient and her family.

Every study and assessment instrument has limitations. Rather than excusing mediocrity, report on the excellent practices so that others may improve and your readers will know what they should expect from their health care providers.

Henry W. Morisada Rietz
Ewa Beach

Seniors bus pass is really cheap

I finally am eligible for the senior bus pass!

To my surprise, the bus pass is so very cheap at $30 per year, compared to $60 per month. Although I am glad that the price is so low, it is too low for an average senior citizen.

Many senior citizens still work after the age of 65 and I am sure a higher bus pass would not wreck their finances.

I would suggest that the price of the senior bus pass be raised. Those who really cannot afford it should be given a special concession, if they meet certain income-level requirements.

I will be more than happy to pay more for my pass, with the caveat that TheBus put more buses on the street. Regular and on-time service is more important than a fare increase of a few dollars. I hope this can alleviate TheBus’ financial woes.

Rosita Sipirok-Siregar
Makakilo

Use many ways to reduce traffic

Concerning the letter, "Traffic declines when school is out" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 5), why not improve the local neighborhood schools to the point where parents don’t feel the need to transport kids to schools outside their residential areas?

Also, provide an off-ramp from the zipper lane to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, accelerate the move of the University of Hawaii students to West Oahu, telecommute as many government employees as feasible and still provide a rail system between the airport and Waikiki.

I would be happy to stop driving my kid to town from Ewa for school if the same disciplined, morals-based education was required in my local neigh- borhood school, and if it provided the same opportunity for college acceptance as her current high school. Let’s not settle on one solution.

Much like the energy needs of our state and country, let’s look at an "all of the above" approach to solve traffic congestion on Oahu.

Steve Wiggins
Ewa Beach

Democrats sure have changed

Growing up here, I remember the Democrats were the party of protecting the land, local values and the Hawaiian way of life.

Nowadays it seems the Democrats want to pave over every open space, build a huge ugly rail and build gigantic towers in the middle of Honolulu.

It all seems to come from the top down. Money, not values, is what matters.

Thank goodness for the few Republicans trying to have a voice of reason. Sadly, big money, power and politics will probably prevail in the end.

Alan Poepoe
Nuuanu

Cast De Lima in ‘Hawaii Five-0′

The "Hawaii Five-0" season finale left us a lot to ponder until this fall’s new season.

I have an idea that would really rock the show when it returns: Frank De Lima needs to be cast as Kamekona’s (Taylor Wily’s) father. We all know and love Uncle Frank, but can you imagine letting De Lima loose on an unsuspecting mainland audience?

Barry Markowitz
Hawaii Kai

Increase access to summer fun

What is happening with our City and County summer fun program?

I tried to enroll my child in the summer fun program at the Waialua Recreation Center and was told that it has already been filled. They are not accepting any more kids. And, there is a long wait list.

Why is this? What are the kids to do with their summer? Turn to crime? Turn to drugs to fill their void?

It is heartbreaking that the city limits these programs in areas that are in need of it. The youngsters need programs like this to keep them out of trouble.

Les Lunasco
Waialua