Rail satisfies many needed social goals

We would like to make some key points that we think are overlooked in the discussion about rail.

First, it is flat wrong to claim that rail won’t reduce traffic congestion. Congestion might not be reduced across the island overall, but rail is going to reduce the increase in congestion.

Second, Oahu citizens have long gone along with developing the "second city." Now that it is heavily populated, its residents deserve a proper transportation infrastructure. Rush-hour traffic to and from the west side is horrendous and by far the worst on the island.

Third, rail will benefit those who cannot afford cars. It will provide a much quicker transit, for example, for those who provide all the tourist services in Waikiki that generate tax revenue benefitting us all. Our political culture has rested on bedrock principles of fairness and looking out for the little guy; are we now abandoning those principles?

Paul and Susan Brandon
Kaneohe

Cayetano is not against all rail

In the rush to give the nod for the mayor’s race to Kirk Caldwell ("Top city post should go to Caldwell," Star-Advertiser, Our View, July 29), the Star-Advertiser conveniently overlooks what former Gov. Ben Cayetano has stated many times.

Last week, the Star-Advertiser quoted Cayetano as saying, "I’m open to light rail" ("Ben Cayetano: Former governor finds many agree with his position on rail," Star-Advertiser, July 25).

He advocates building a much less expensive light-rail system that is at ground level, similar to the MAX system in Portland, Oregon.

Actually, it’s Kirk Caldwell whose rail plans are murky. He says he wants to change the design and some routes but has given no details on either.

It is important to make sure that candidates are carefully vetted on what they say they will do, not on what we want them to say.

Mary Monohon
Kailua

Headline seemed politically charged

Seeing Sunday’s A3 headline "Health law likely to worsen doctor shortage," I decided to actually read the article, assuming there would be an argument made against President Barack Obama’s health care law.

The headline implied that the health care law would be responsible for doctors leaving the profession. However, the article was not about doctors leaving the profession; it was about more patients who would need care when physicians are already in short supply: "Even without the health care law, the shortfall of doctors in 2025 would still exceed 100,000."

A less politically charged headline would have been more appropriate, putting the focus on our country’s need to recruit and support more physicians for the growing number of patients.

Jane Au
Salt Lake

China’s misfortune could be U.S. gain

China, ironically, now faces a world headed into economic recession.

Its export-oriented economy must now retool and shift into reverse, focusing on domestic production for its own citizens to avoid the consequences of a world recession.

As a result, upward social mobility brought on by increased wages and an abundance of new products will bring bargains and well-being to Chinese citizens.

Conversely, it need not buy from others, thus worsening a global recession.

The U.S. also may be spared the brunt of the recession because it has already a domestic consumer-driven economy.

If we, too, ride an economic wave that puts our great reserves to use to redesign and to develop our own industrial production and infrastructure domestically, we also can avoid the coming recession. American-made goods will become competitive again — made and bought at home.

In turn, however, will this enhance the recession for others in a global economy?

Robert Tellander
Waikiki

State employees deserve some back

As a state worker I was encouraged to read Hawaii is now $300 million in the black ("State’s financial picture brightens," Star-Advertiser, July 20).

The majority of the savings are said to come from a reduction in labor costs.

Hawaii state employees have taken on more responsibility and more work, yet many of us have lost up to 35 percent of our income to pay cuts and insurance cost increases.

I was disappointed in a comment made in the article: "If the state’s revenue trend holds, public employee labor unions will likely ask for pay raises."

Our unions will not be asking for raises. Rather they will be asking to reinstate some of our pay. We are currently earning 5 percent less than in 2009 and paying more for insurance benefits.

I encourage our legislators, lawmakers and bargaining committee members to remember this when next they go to the bargaining table.

Lisa Post
Lihue

Circle Island route should be restored

Our tourism industry touts our unique bus system as the best in the U.S. because it is easy to ride and easy to get everywhere.

What happens when tourists find out this is no longer true?

I was waiting for the No. 55 bus at the Wahiawa Transit Center on Saturday from 4 p.m., along with many others. We waited and waited. When the bus came, the driver put up a "Not In Service" sign and left.

Later, another bus came but the driver said we had to wait for yet another bus when they would trade buses.

Finally, we left about 6 p.m.with our new driver. I got home a bit after 7 p.m.but I was more concerned with the many workers who were tired and waiting so many hours just to get home after work.

Please return both Circle Island routes. Increase the rates if necessary, but give us back the system that worked.

Jackie Weyhenmeyer
Kahuku