Kakaako plan lacks elements

Lately there have been many stories of plans to construct thousands of housing units in Kakaako. Missing among them were any plans for social infrastructure.

Elements like schools, libraries, community centers, pools, gyms, pedestrian walkways, parks and grocery stores all seem to be missing from the discussion.

The plans include the words "workforce housing" and "walkability," but without city and state leadership to provide the capacity and planning for these social infrastructure needs, there can be no "community."

Where will the children of the "workforce" go to school or play? There are no public lower schools, community centers or grocery stores within walking distance of these planned towers.

A bunch of high-rise edifices and website eyewash will not make a real community. Without leadership to create this social infrastructure, these planned structures are destined to become towers of isolation.

Joseph Uno
Manoa

Let’s squeeze in more towers?

If we could knock down McKinley High School, Straub Hospital and the Honolulu police headquarters, we could probably squeeze in six or seven more 700-foot high-rise condos in Kakaako, addinghundreds more rich mainlanders.

Michael Ferguson
Kakaako

War doubters honor fallen, too

Among the sincere who mourn the fallen brave are the war-weary doubters who want to make sure future sacrifices are for a worthy cause and not just a crusade done at any cost, including 6,000 deaths of our finest and a deep scar on our national soul.

I am one of the doubters that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are worth the price. I celebratedMemorial Day for the future as well as the past.

Jay Henderson
Ala Moana

GMO debate turning harmful

The anti-genetically modified organism movement has started to pit farmers against farmers.

Hawaii cannot afford to have such discord in our agricultural industry, which is key to local food security. We need to support all local farmers.

The big issue is about how we are going to feed people while least affecting our environment. Every farmer wants sustainability. Many have been in the business for decades and want to perpetuate their fields and crops as well as the environment. New tools of the industry and research help provide best practices to maintaining our local food supply.

Advancements in agricultural science have come with lightning speed while the ability of the public to understand them has lagged, which has caused some to fear this technology.

Hopefully, someday there will be a common ground where science and food production can co-exist peacefully.

Joni Kamiya
Kaneohe

Greenwood and Kim both wrong

Both University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood and Senate President Donna Mercado Kim are wrong in this latest political squabble.

Without the written consent of Kim’s son Micah, Greenwood violated federal confidentiality laws by telling Kim that her son did not apply to law school. She should be brought to account and fined.

Kim called Greenwood because she had doubts on whether her son had applied to law school? She must have asked her son and obviously didn’t believe him.How can we believe in and trust our Senate president if she cannot even trust her own son?

Both officials should be investigated and reprimanded by their respective governing bodies.

Guy Nishimura
Aina Haina

Truck beds not for passengers

I am glad they implemented the new seat belt law immediately. I always make it a habit to wear my seat belt, even while riding in the back seat.

My question is why is riding in the back of a pickup truck still allowed? I passed a small truck the other day on Kalanianaole Highway that had four passengers in the front — yes, they all had seat belts on — but three riding in the bed. The two sitting against the tailgate were in beach chairs! I’ve even seen people sitting on the top edge of the tailgate while the truck is in motion.

I think that as long as there are passengers in a vehicle, they should be restrained. Truck beds should be strictly for hauling things.

Sandra Hu
Kailua