Greenwood has done much good for UH

There is a difference between news and opinion. However, the Star-Advertiser doesn’t get it.

The article, "UH looks feckless in hearing" (Sept. 26) is a grab-bag of unsubstantiated opinions from various "onlookers." The article even gives a front-page forum to someone who proclaimed the bizarre theory that this is the equivalent of the Watergate hearings.

A balanced piece of journalism would note that University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood has workedto attract major scientists to the university, improve the quality of student life, complete a new campus to serve West Oahu and partner with community agencies to help prevent obesity in Hawaii.None of these is even mentioned.

There are important things going on in the world.Soldiers are committing suicide, Marines arestill getting blown up in Afghanistan and sailors have to serve 10-month deployments because of the situation in the western Pacific. Yet these are put on the back pages.

The Star-Advertiser needs to gets its journalistic practices straight.

Thomas A. Wills
Maunalani Heights

Flexible transit system is what Oahu needs

Regarding your editorial, "Rail’s future in the balance," what is truly in the balance is the future of our island (Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 23).

At stake is not only the visual integrity of our environment but the fiscal solvency of our city. As Bill Clinton would say, "Do the arithmetic!"

It is delusional to assert that you can build and maintain this rail project and still meet the billions of dollars in obligations for long-delayed sewer upgrades and road and other infrastructure repairs without taxing us to death and cutting many valuable health, education, safety and social programs.

Moreover, the city has largely ignored other better and much less expensive alternatives. A fixed elevated steel-on-steel rail system is a throwback to the past that has been rejected in many other cities. Economically, environmentally and socially we would be better served by a more flexible system, such as a combination of bus rapid transit and trams.

Ursula Retherford
Kailua

Being stuck in traffic exacts large social toll

The building of rail is inevitable. It is just a matter of time. In the end, the people’s need for relief from the present and future increasing traffic congestion will prevail.

The traffic congestion affecting the people living in West Oahu, Leeward and Central Oahu is immense. Being stuck in traffic or struggling to get home at 5 to 10 mph for 11⁄2 to three hours to join their families for dinner and a restful family evening should be unacceptable to compassionate people in our Oahu community.

The long hours delayed in traffic, including the early-morning commute to school and work in Hono-lulu, affects the quality of life of these Oahu residents, in the decreased time spent with children, their education, their development and parental influence. We really need to help and support these needy people, now.

The sooner rail is built, the less costly it will be.

Herbert K. Shimabukuro
Aiea

Illegal moving of deer needs tough penalty

With three guilty pleas by key people involved in the illegal movement of mouflon sheep to Maui and axis deer to the Big Island, I am still hoping that on Oct. 1 the federal court will deliver sentences that convey the seriousness of the crime.

Axis deer are damaging crops, pose a serious hazard on roads and are decimating native forests on Maui, yet there is no charge for crimes against communities or the environment, even though axis deer were illegally moved and released on the Big Island.

These actions will be costing the taxpayers of Hawaii millions of dollars in future control efforts on public lands, and undoubtedly cost private landowners tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.

These crimes are serious, and I hope these considerations are reflected by the court.

Cliff Morden
Mililani

Provide parking lot for homeless in cars

This letter is regarding our homeless brothers and sisters who just can’t afford rent payments.

A lot of them work and have cars to go to work in and car payments to make just like the rest of us. However, just making these payments and knowing that they can sleep in their cars is a way of surviving and gives them dignity because they aren’t on the streets. Many are doing the best that they can with what they have.

Could there be a parking lot facility somewhere that would allow them to park overnight with a shower and toilet for them to use? There could also be a monitor to ensure health and safety concerns, as well as to check vehicle registration. You could charge $3 each night for use of this parking lot.

These people would feel a lot safer knowing that this parking lot will give them a good night’s sleep.

Joan Miller
Pearl City

Obama policies will bring fiscal collapse

President Barack Obama says that presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s plan for reviving the economy is a return to the tired, old recipe that brought about the current economic mess. Obama touts his plan as a new forward-looking proposal that will bring prosperity back.

The tired, old Romney recipe of small government, easing restrictive regulations, all-inclusive energy (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, renewable) policy, low taxation, budgetary restraint, was responsible for building a vigorous, world-beating economic powerhouse. Obama’s espousal of expansive government, renewable energy, taxing the rich, and budgetary excesses will bring about the kind of economic collapse we are witnessing in Greece, Italy and Spain.

Cheong Lum
Honolulu

Closing tax loopholes could have bad effect

Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan have been declaring that they will reduce income taxes 20 percent across the board. Now Romney has said, in Westerville, Ohio, "Don’t be expecting a huge cut in taxes, because I’m also going to be closing loopholes on deductions."

Romney has said he would cut income tax rates and make up the difference by eliminating some deductions and credits to balance the budget. Tax analysts have been saying that to do this, he will have to eliminate or reduce deductions such as for charities and the biggest one, mortgage interest deductions.

If mortgage deductions are eliminated, middle-class people will no longer be able to buy homes, because the deductions that allow them to recoup some of the expenses of the home purchase every year will be gone. Home values will plummet as the number of buyers will drop. The only people who will come out smiling will be the 1 percent. They can now buy homes at lower prices and increase their wealth. Is this what we want?

Jon Shimamoto
Mililani