Aligning with rail politically risky

Two critical articles in the Star-Advertiser’s Sept. 2 issue, "Rush and spend, not court, delaying rail" by Tom Coffman and "Oahu rail in the balance" by columnist Richard Borreca, described the final one-two knockout punches to the rail project.

What the Star-Advertiser called a "sucker punch" really had been an accident waiting to happen for some time ("Disrespect to iwi isn’t rail’s intent," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Aug.28).

When William Aila became the director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources shortly after Gov. Neil Abercrombie took office, he immediately signed off on the rail project’s reckless move to proceed without a completed iwi survey, and everyone knew the fix was in.

What now is abundantly clear is that any politician who associates himself with the rail project is betting his political future with the likes of Mufi Hannemann and Peter Carlisle.

Earl Arakaki
Ewa Beach

Not all disabled in wheelchairs

I totally agree with the letter ("Bus drivers provide handicap service," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 4).

A better bunch of employees are hard to find. Helpful and caring to be sure.

Sometimes, however, a handicapped person is not immediately recognizable. Mechanical joints or limbs are sometimes covered by clothing, but there are balance or equilibrium issues, as well as the inability to stand for long periods of time.

IfI am displaced by a boarding passenger who needs to use that area for a wheelchair, I feel it’s only fair for the driver to assist me in finding another seat. I should not be expected to have to walkup and down the aisle showing my handicap blue card to other riders and asking for their seat.

Wouldn’t it be better for the driver to "announce" that a passenger needs a seat and ask for someone’s kokua?

Kedric Dean
Downtown Honolulu

Case’s efforts deserve respect

Richard Borreca’s column seemed mean-spirited but, more important, it missed the main point of Ed Case’s campaign and election results ("Case, Hannemann failed to face up to harsh reality," Star-Advertiser, On Politics, Aug. 14).

More than 94,000 voters liked Case enough to vote for him in the Democratic primary — no small number of people and no easy accomplishment, given the opposition of the party establishment and the limited funding that powered Ed’s campaign.

This large voter support shows that there are many people who feel the need for political reform in Hawaii — to open the political and power structure to everyone, not just the few.

These voters, many of us longtime progressive Democrats, felt much aloha for Ed Case and his efforts that should not be so lightly and harshly dismissed.

Josephine Chang
Kuliouou

Riding TheBus is chilling exploit

I am very grateful for our public bus transportation, but it is so cold to ride the bus around the island, especially in the winter and on those express buses. Hawaii has almost perfect weather, yet it seems strange to ride a bus where so many passengers are wearing jackets and bundled up. I often head to the back seat to sit near the warmth of the engine.

Could TheBus turn down the air-conditioning by just one degree of temperature? That small amount could make it more comfortable for many riders. I might not need to carry extra jackets with me on my trips.

More important, this change would save energy, given current fuel prices, and the cost savings could help avoid some of the cutbacks being considered.

This small change could be a win-win for everyone — riders, management and employees.

Jean Maier
Mililani