Interisland air fares are not overpriced

The proposal to regulate inter-island air fares may not have the desired effect of making interisland travel cheaper.

If you compare flights of a similar distance on the mainland, you would find, barring temporary fare wars, that our interisland tickets are not overpriced.

A quick check on the Internet showed round-trip fares between Seattle and Portland at more than $240 and Los Angeles to San Francisco at well over $400.

Shorter flights are inherently more expensive than longer flights. It costs way more to fly a jet interisland for five hours than it does to make one five-hour trans-Pacific crossing.

Don’t forget,many airlines have failedby trying to sell discount interisland tickets.

Perhaps we should consider a tax write-off or credit for Hawaii residents who fly interisland.

Also, an argument could be made that the federal subsidies mainland states enjoy to maintain an interstate freeway system could apply here to help our residents travel from island to island.

John Wade
Haleiwa

Use state lands for retirement housing

Hawaii lags behind the mainland on present-day senior care and housing.As is well documented, we have the largest and fastest-growing senior demographic of any of the states.

My 25 years of research into senior housing suggests a solution that is affordable for the middle-income senior.

It is the campus-style continuing care retirement community model, comprising 100 acres and a population of 1,500 or more residents.It resembles a college campus.Erickson Senior Living, with 16 campuses on the mainland, is an example of the success of this model. Economies of scale provide more comprehensive amenities and services than those offered by expensive smaller communities. Hawaii has no such model. The cost of land is a major factor, though possibilities exist, especially with the state looking for good usage of its underutilized lands.

Concerned seniors should contact government officials to study and act on this proven concept.

Nancy Schoocraft
Hawaii Kai

Great Aloha Run aggravated traffic

The Great Aloha Run is a great event except for traffic congestion.

For walkers and strollers, the Great Aloha Run was the Great Aloha Walk (GAW), and the GAWkers clogged the road. Runners constantly had to dodge the GAWkers, slowing them down. Some GAWKers even strolled hand-in-hand.

The congestion started with the traffic into the stadium, with long lines from few police directing traffic. It continued with the bus from Aloha Stadium to the start, causing thousands to arrive late.

Some simple roadway courtesy would help. If you choose to walk, walk on the right, leaving space on the left for people moving faster. Do not walk hand-in-hand.The organizers could post signs encouraging polite use of the road space. The race literature could instruct in the same. This would help the aloha spirit shine through like the rainbows that came out during the rain.

Jonathan Hirsch
Ewa Beach

If seniors ride free, set some conditions

Bus service has been reduced, and buses are fuller than ever.

City Councilman Ernie Martin wants to give seniors free bus passes.

Here’s a way to give seniors a break and reduce crowding at peak times: Allow seniors to ride free, but if they want to use the bus during peak hours, they have to pay the regular fare.

Retired seniors have the ability to make doctor’s appointments or run other errands at off-peak times. Working people must use public transportation during morning and afternoon peak periods. If a senior wants to ride at these times, pay up.

This compromise would reduce congested buses at peak hours and minimize the impact of reduced revenues by offering free rides to seniors at times when buses have space.

Alan Zukerkorn Van Zee
Honolulu

Devote Sand Island to the homeless

Give Sand Island state park to the homeless.

Establish free, hourly bus service to town so they can obtain services and shop.

Staff a construction trailer with social service workers to help direct the flow to town. Have police cruise through the park hourly. Lock the gate after 11 p.m. to ensure a safe and secure enclave.

There are already plenty of beach restrooms and showers to use. They can camp on a magnificent beach. They’re free to live the lifestyle they want out of view. Those wanting to better themselves could know that, at minimum, they have a clean, safe place to pitch a tent while transitioning.

I know this isn’t a new idea, more a joke around the water cooler at work; but it could work at minimal cost to the city and state.

Michael O’Hara
Kaneohe

Dems should not limit who can run

The voters of state Senate District 25 were well-represented by Fred Hemmings, a Republican, for many years.

The last election showed that the voters there clearly preferred Laura Thielen to the loyal Democratic Party member who occupied the office after Hemmings.

Now the party wants legislative authority to dictate who can run under the party banner.

Perhaps the party should pay a bit more attention to the voters’ preferences — you know, consent of the governed and all that. Such ridiculous diktats could only be considered in the Democrat state of Hawaii.

Bill Friedl
Kailua