Rail headlines seem negative

As a longtime rail supporter, I have been puzzled by your coverage of the issue.

On the one hand, the editorial board is solidly pro-rail and has written the most cogent and accurate assessments of the rail project available ("Cayetano’s rail alternative doesn’t cut it," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Sept. 30). On the other, the headlines for the rail stories have consistently leaned anti-rail, even though the stories themselves are generally pro-rail in content.

A recent headline read "Cayetano lays out transit plan" (Star-Advertiser, Sept. 28). The content of the article could just as easily supported the headline "Cayetano plan forfeits $1.5 billion" or "Cayetano plan lacks detail." Or better yet, because his "plan" is obviously a political document meant to obscure the fact that he has no intention of addressing traffic congestion, the story could have been two paragraphs long and buried on B2.

Rep. Karl Rhoads
Honolulu

Rail works well in other areas

We have used the rail in Bangkok, Singapore, Jamaica and Okinawa, areas with traffic problems like ours.

Traffic and people move efficiently in those places. Their rail systems have lessened the number of cars on their roads. Their advanced technology is progressive and efficient. They protect their greenery, and the citizens respect their traffic and environmental laws. Yet, they have populations much larger than ours in similar limited areas. Our taxes have paid for extensive studies and comparisons in these areas. Have we not learned from them?

Tom and Maureen Shimabuku
Kakaako

Too many ladies are scantily clad

At a gas station, a young woman was getting gas. It seemed that all eyes were on her, and when I looked, I saw that all she had on was a thong bikini bottom.

I considered making a fatherly comment, but decided not to, considering it could be taken wrongly.

I am a 71-year-old father of a grown daughter and have a 16-year-old granddaughter living with my wife and me.This style of shameless behavior does not cut it in our house.

As I travel the islands, I can’t help notice how many of the young ladies dress. It seems that the fashion is fewer clothes and more of their bodies on display.

If a young man wore a jock strap at the beach, chances are he would be asked to change or leave. If he wore it into a place of business, he might even be cited for indecent exposure. Why the difference?

Joe Zolnierowicz
Hawaii Kai

Respect wishes of dying person

What is the use of having a living will if it is not going to be respected by the person entrusted with the power of attorney?

It is not so tragic if the brain is so damaged that the person can no longer feel any physical and emotional pain. The worst kind of pain and suffering is a cognitive mind being trapped inside a useless body, and feeling sad and angry that one has been betrayed by the person one trusted the most, and that family members would rather see one suffer than set one’s spirit free.

The best thing the family members can do for a dying person is to respect his or her wishes. Spend as much time as you can with the dying person, and give him or her the permission to die in peace and with dignity.

Cecilia Graybeal
Honolulu

County clerk treated poorly

I am distressed to read in the paper the rather constant criticism of Hawaii County’s election clerk.

Doubtless she was inadequate to the job.But Jamae Kawauchi was placed in office by someone else who should have known better, and certainly should have supervised, advised and aided.

I’d be surprised if chief elections officer Scott Nago doesn’t find himself sued for slander.Shame.

Kay Davies
Makiki