Shapiro right about Democrats

I’m a lifelong Democrat and I totally agree with David Shapiro’s perspective on the strange situation between the Democratic Party and the state Legislature ("Golojuch corrals legislators who stray from party gospel," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, July 31).

It’s hard to understand why the party that virtually has a lock on every elected position is going after its own leaders.

If the Democratic Party leaders had any sense, they would listen to Shapiro’s advice and apply some adult supervision to the narcissistic Sheriff Michael Golojuch Jr., who obviously is convinced he’s now in charge.

They should also immediately dismiss the charges against Sen. Mike Gabbard and Rep. Sharon Har to bring this current kangaroo court to an end.

It’s so damaging for the voters to see the Democratic Party going after legislators they put into office. It’s not for the Democratic Party to control the decision making of our elected leaders. This judgment should be left to the voters.

Tom Silva
Waimanalo

Smoking bans are going too far

I am concerned with the recent attacks I have seen on our personal liberties regarding smoking.

I am not a cigarette smoker, but I do smoke pipe tobacco. I enjoy these occasional smokes at a park or beach park, always doing it far enough away from others as to not cause them discomfort. I have noticed the same courteous actions from cigarette smokers.

I agreed with the ban on smoking in restaurants because of the proximity and lack of ventilation. But an open-air park with even a slight wind would quickly disperse any toxic smoke from the area. Surely there are more harmful toxins in the air caused by the vehicles on our roadways. Are we to ban all gas vehicles as well?

This has very little to do with public health and more to do with grandstanding politicians capitalizing on popular opinion and creating an alternate strategy to prevent littering from discarded cigarette butts.

For this, my pipe smoking (with no subsequent litter) could make me a criminal?

Scott Roberts
Hawaii Kai

Bus firm happy to Get on Board

No matter where you look, student transportation in Hawaii is undergoing real and significant change.

As a longtime service provider and a participant in the Department of Education’s Get on Board pilot project, Ground Transport has a unique vantage point from which to view the changes. Hopefully, the new state laws that update bus procurement and contracting, and the introduction of the Get on Board initiative, are evidence of movement toward a better future.

These changes should make existing services more efficient, providing opportunities for more students to access the safest form of transportation to and from school every day.

Ground Transport appreciates the DOE’s willingness to collaborate with its bus contractors to provide the most efficient and cost-effective services possible.

Louis Gomes
President, Ground Transport Inc.

Kakaako needs school in area

Pohukaina School was centrally located in Kakaako on 3.4 acres next to Mother Waldron Park. But the Hawaii Community Development Authority erased that school to build 690 Pohukaina, leaving Kakaako without a school.

A recent editorial mentioned that the state Department of Education is studying a "vertical design for a compact urban school."

If such a school could be folded back into 690 Pohukaina — which hasn’t been built yet — that is preferable to McKinley High School (with Kaahumanu Elementary only two blocks away).

Elementary schools are located so youngsters can walk there safely, lessening parents’ need to drive them.And the school could use Mother Waldron for activities.Also, since the 690 Pohukaina site is originally DOE land, a goal of incorporating a school within the project is laudable.

To make Kakaako a live-work-play local community, HCDA must create a plan that meets everyday families’ needs — for a school, affordable rentals, grocery stores, a library, even a fire station.

Renee Ing
Makiki