Ala Wai Canal perpetually dirty

Walking down along the Ala Wai, it is disappointing to see the lack of upkeep and maintenance of the canal, as there is consistently standing rubbish in it and the water quality never appears to improve, by sight or smell.

We need our elected officials to step up to the challenges that we face with the canal and dedicate the monetary and physical resources to the cleanup and ongoing maintenance of the canal and the streams that flow into it.

Without state and local government action to move forward with large cleanup projects and a comprehensive plan for maintenance, the canal will never be able to realize its full potential — personal responsibility can only do so much.

Ben Robinson
Waikiki

Students have right to support teachers

Yes, a teacher’s job is to impart knowledge ("Teachers should not indoctrinate students," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 25). We do this all day, every day, on and off the clock.

Students supported their teachers, whom they respect, of their own free will. We discussed protests to dispel rumors of a strike. However, we didn’t distribute information in class, organize participation or give credit for attending.

I have no shame for allowing students to show their support.

Tammy Jones
Ewa Beach

Use local talent in search for rail art

The article about $5 million for rail-station artwork states that artists from across the nation will be invited to compete for achance to win commissions ("$5M in rail funds will buy artwork for transit depots," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 26).

It also states that the 2014 budget includes $1.975 million for funding the local Art in Transit program, money that is expected to cover the contracts with about 10 artists.

So, it is planned that about 40 percent of the art budget will be spent on the competition and contracting for the art.

Where are the purchasing managers and contracting lawyers who are already on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation staff?

The staffs at Bishop Museum, the State Art Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art are all capable of participating in this effort.

Our main concern is that we should keep this project in Hawaii. The rest of the nation does not reflect the Hawaiian culture. The people of Hawaii must be the source for this art work.

We are sure there are many local artists very capable of responding to this call. Who better to display Hawaiian culture and art than the people who live here?

Helene and Chuck Lileikis
Honolulu

Park-and-ride lots key to rail success

Five million dollars for art will not help to reduce traffic.

I expect the $5.26 billion for rail will be gone before we finish building the rail project.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s excuse will be cost increases due to contract change conditions — the contractors’ favorite means of getting extra money.

Pacific Resource Partnership will get back all of the money it spent on the elections, plus more.

I recently returned from Washington, D.C., staying in Arlington, Va., 10 miles from downtown D.C. Arlington’s Huntington metro station has 3,600 parking spaces.

I took the metro from D.C. at 4 p.m. on a weekday, with about 100 riders returning to the station; only five of us did not go to the garage.

Honolulu’s rail will not decrease traffic because the current bus riders are the only ones who will use the rail.

HART needs to construct large "park and ride" lots for any meaningful decrease in freeway traffic.

David Tanaka
Aiea

Libraries can help with career goals

The editorial "Fight poverty with job training" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 19) stated that "more needs to be done to train Hawaii’s workforce, giving more prospective employees the skills required of better paying jobs." This is exactly the kind of training the Hawaii State Public Library System now offers through our unique HI-Tech Academy.

HSPLS is the only library system in the world to offer free access to the Microsoft IT Acade- my, which provides free, online digital literacy and training to help Hawaii’s unemployed and underemployed workers enhance technology skills. Access more than 350 self-paced Microsoft technology courses plus a multitude of digital literacy resources 24/7 via the website, www.librarieshawaii.org.

The academy provides access to e-learning, certification preparation and Microsoft course materials, which will help users qualify for and acquire industry-recognized certifications.

Also, HSPLS offers free wireless Internet access at all branches and more than 80 online databases. Visit your local library to find resources to improve your status in the workforce, become more productive, and pursue career advancement.

Richard Burns
Hawaii state librarian

Mediation also can help assure justice

Kudos to Hawaii’s attorneys who provide pro bono assistance to those without legal representation in civil matters, as highlighted in Susan Essoyan’s article, "Lawyers offer free advice at courts" (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 19).

The Mediation Center of the Pacific, whose mission is to provide our community with high-quality mediation and dispute resolution services that are affordable and accessible, is also working with the civil legal service providers and other members of Hawaii’s Access to Justice Commission on the critical need of increasing access to justice for all residents of Hawaii.

We recognize and appreciate the contributions of those who have made the Access to Justice rooms and self-help centers a reality so that those who go to court in a civil matter and who cannot afford an attorney will be able to access free legal help in courthouses across our state.

Cynthia T. Alm
President, Mediation Center of the Pacific, Honolulu