Gridlock affects graduations

It happens year after year, but it appears very little effort is made to solve the traffic gridlock around the sites of graduation ceremonies.

The University of Hawaii, with the largest class, causes gridlock onto the freeway, as does use of the Blaisdell Arena.

It turns a happy celebration into a frustrating occasion. Grandparents, parents and friends sometimes miss the joy of seeing their special graduates receiving their diplomas.

One unintended consequence is an ambulance trying to navigate though the gridlock.

Graduations are well-planned by schools, but the traffic situation should be reviewed by the city Department of Transportation Services and the Honolulu Police Department. They should respond with an action plan.

Graduates celebrate achievement in learning, yet we continue to fail in traffic management.

Cynthia Endo
Kuliouou

Rail now a boon for developers

What is behind using the city’s rail transit project as justification for dramatically increasing the density of Kakaako ("Wow!," Star-Advertiser, May 11)?I thought distributing the population away from central Honolulu was the reason for Kapolei and the train from there to town.That is how the powers-that-be justified the $5.2billion-plusrail project.

Haven’t they turned everything around in a way that will benefit enormously the property owners in Kakaako who will be able to redevelop their property at a huge profit?

Jim Pollock
Kaneohe

803 Waimanu needs revisions

As a resident of Kakaako, I am extremely concerned about the proposed 803 Waimanu project by MJF Development Corp. ("Condo project touches a nerve," Star-Advertiser, May 2). MJF is asking for many modifications to the rules.

Besides the anticipated added traffic on Waimanu and Kawaiahao streets, the exemptions that concern me the most include:

» Building a 197-unit tower, exceeding the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s height limit of 65 feet by 185 feet;

» Reducing the space between the Imperial Plaza’s main tower from 300 feet to 90 feet, and from 80 feet to 39 feet from the lower tower.

If the ultimate goal is to create a very dense metro area, decision-makers must be careful to leave sufficient space between the buildings to create livable areas. The buildings need to be positioned properly in consideration of one another to create a neighborhood, not a wall of condos shoulder-to-shoulder.

HCDA touts "live, work, play" as its vision for Kakaako. This must also mean breathability and quality of living.

"Workforce housing" is good, but being "workforce housing" is no excuse for poor planning.

Paula Tadaki
Kakaako

Make Chinatown livable for all

It is great to see the mayor brainstorming to solve homeless issues. However, housing the homeless in Chinatown will bring more to them. The homeless hang around Chinatown because free meals are provided. Now you are adding free housing. More amenities in Chinatown mean more homeless in Chinatown, not only from this island but from all over the country.

What happened to the plan for making Chinatown more livable, walkable and safer? Every sunset, people working Downtown burn millions of gallons of gas to run away from it. Traffic congestion, carbon dioxide, you name it. Why not improve Chinatown to the extent people are willing to live by where they work?

Shan Su
Alewa Heights

Obama’s style shows he’s local

Kudos to Gloria Borland in her endeavors to set the record straight about President Barack Obama ("Native son," Star-Advertiser, May 13).

I lived on Cape Cod, Mass., when "Barry" gave his famous speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. I thought at that time, "This young man is quite something."

I became more enthused when he won the Democratic nomination and the presidency. In the past four-plus years, in my opinion, Obama reflects the same type of Hawaiian-style attitude as U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye, Spark Matsunaga, Daniel Akaka and Hiram Fong.Yep!All local boys!

Patrick Keli‘inui
Kapahulu

Kamehameha not like DHHL

Moana Higa’s letter ending with bitter remarks about Kamehameha Schools were uncalled for and inaccurate ("Exposé of DHHL long overdue," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 10).

Complaining about the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is one thing. But putting a private entity that has served Hawaiians for over 125 years in the same boat? Unbelievable.

As a beneficiary of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s legacy, I have been blessed with opportunities to learn about and perpetuate my Hawaiian culture. She has made a positive difference in my life and I am truly forever indebted to Kamehameha Schools and Princess Pauahi for everything I have received.

Higa insinuates that "obscene practices at the DHHL" are similar to Kamehameha’s acceptance policy. I’m unaware of any "discrepancies," "prejudices," and "who you know" games being played here.

Her inability to appreciate and applaud one of the main supporters of the Hawaiian community is disappointing. It’s unfortunate that she does not take the time to look at all of Kamehameha Schools’ successes. Sad.

Nicole Oka
Kamehameha Schools Class of 2013 Kailua

Don’t associate allergies, GMOs

How incongruent that state Sen. Russell Ruderman would write a letter supporting undocumented opinions regarding GMO (genetically modified organism) foods, saying, "Maybe we are not seeing what is obvious because we are choosing not to see it." ("Perils of GMO foods seem pretty obvious," Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 5).

He would have been better off searching for real causes of allergies, some of which are well-established ("Exposure to germs aids children, study finds," Star-Advertiser, May 6).

In Germany, those living in more polluted East Berlin had much lower rates of allergies than the West Berliners.Then the Berlin Wall fell, and both groups became economically similar, as did the allergy rates.

This didn’t exist a quarter-century ago. Our obsession with cleanliness is not necessarily good for our health.A good read is "The Secret Life of Dirt" in the Smithsonian Magazine, April 2013.

Jack H. Scaff Jr.
Round Top Drive

Mailer for UH presidency

Another one bites the dust at the University of Hawaii with the soon-to-be departure of President M.R.C. Greenwood.

I nominate Dee Jay Mailer, who will retire from Kamehameha Schools in 2014. She’s local, smart and proven. If for any reason she doesn’t meet the requirements, change the requirements!

Gwen Heliker
Makiki