More people should pay income tax

With all the talk about asking the top 5 percent of taxpayers (who already pay about 50 percent of all personal income taxes) to pay a little more, I would like to suggest that we also ask the 46 percent of taxpayers who pay no income taxes at all to pay a little more, too. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but almost everyone should be asked to support our country financially.

Bob Stott
Hawaii Kai

Lack of BRT details hurt Cayetano

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano said he was defeated by the pro-rail PAC.He was defeated because he gave very little details about bus rapid transit.All I ever saw described in public was a number of starting points, dedicated bus lanes that stopped in downtown Honolulu, and how it would cost less.

The public needed to have clearly stated in words and on maps where BRT started, what existing lanes would be used and how the arrival in downtown Honolulu would be handled on already crowded streets.

With the rail project we knew the route, the stations that would serve people over the 20-mile length and what it would cost. The environmental assessment was done.All Cayetano and other rail opponents have done is run up the costs. Let’s not let the same groups that delayed the H-3 construction do the same to rail.

Barbara F. Bonnardel
Kailua

Rail provides real alternative to cars

I couldn’t agree more with Tim Baier ("Hawaii needs more transit alternatives," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 8). And that is what rail is all about.The anti-rail community’s constant harangue that rail will not reduce congestion on our highways is probably true (although one would question how much worse it would be without rail).

The point is, rail provides an alternative to those who do not want to spend countless hours sitting in traffic every week.If Hawaii truly wants to be a progressive city that cares about the quality of life of its citizens, not to mention the tourists who are its lifeblood, then rail is the answer. Let’s get on with it.

Al Richards
Aiea

Adoptive families need much support

Most adoption agencies spend a great deal of time and effort preparing parents for their new child.They guide them through the application process, legal proceedings, health requirements and more.After the child arrives, there is a bonding period for these families. As time passes, some agencies stay in touch with the family and others (as in our case) simply stop any correspondence or contact.The emphasis on the "front end" is typical and unfortunate for the families and the adoptees, who often deal with questions, emotions and behaviors that can be challenging for a lifetime.

As we celebrate National Adoption Month, we hope that those who are considering this wonderful opportunity of adopting a child and those who have adopted children keep in mind the ongoing support needed and how to obtain that support if and when the time comes.

Harry and Doreen Akamine
Adoptive parents and members, Adoption Circle of Hawaii, Pearl City

Greenwood has lost her credibility

I was thrilled when a woman was selected as president of the University of Hawaii. In my view, that made UH more progressive than most mainland universities, including my own.

It is not unusual for a university president to want to select her own athletic director, and M.R.C. Greenwood had every right to do so. However, she was in such a hurry that she used the "Wonder Blunder" to move against Jim Donovan, when all she needed to do was wait a few months for his contract to expire. As a result, she has cost UH hundreds of thousands of dollars, much more than was originally lost.

I do not know if Greenwood has been a good president or a bad one, but I do know that she is history. It is impossible to run a university when you have lost credibility with your constituencies. Her every decision will be questioned.

Linda Estes
Koloa, Kauai

Who’s responsible for Wonder snafu?

I was glad to read that two people who allegedly were involved in the Wonder Blunder money exchange have been apprehended and charged. However, this is not enough. Who were the people who believed what was told them, and who apparently did not do their homework before presenting the idea to Jim Donovan? These individuals should be held accountable in some manner.

While the benefit concert was an excellent idea, it involved an up-front deposit of $200,000. I, personally, would have made absolutely sure that it was legitimate before proposing it to administration. I wouldn’t part with $200 of my money or anyone else’s money without research and detailed confirmation. The buck should not stop at Jim Donovan’s or M.R.C. Greenwood’s desks in this case.

Gwen Heliker
Makiki

Tired of promises to fix problems

Those magic words, "We are investigating and will make improvements to be sure it never happens again," have worn out their welcome. It happens in private industry and organizations, but seems to be more prevalent in public operations.

The latest snafu involving shortages of ballots at many Oahu polling places is a perfect example.In this case, apparently sufficient ballots had been printed but they were stored at some central location.When the polling places ran short and requested more, it took hours to deliver them.

Why on Earth were they not sent to the polling places in the first place? What was the state Office of Elections going to do with leftover obsolete ballots? But we hear or read those magic words again, "It won’t be allowed to happen again."

James V. Pollock
Kaneohe