Philippines still need our help

I’d like to gratefully acknowledge AARP’s Filipino Advisory Council and all Hawaii residents who pledged support for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

In the wake of the powerful storm that devastated the Philippines a month ago, leaving more than 6,000 people dead or unaccounted for, AARP Foundation established a relief fund matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000.

More than $548,000 has thus far been donated to the Foundation relief fund, effectively raising more than $1 million in aid, including the matching funds.

This money has gone directly to HelpAge International, CARE and other groups providing help in the areas where it is needed most. Food aid has been distributed to vulnerable residents, a disproportionate number of whom are elderly and poor.

Donations are still being accepted at www.aarp.org/disasterrelief. This holiday, please give what you can to help those less fortunate. All funds raised will go to organizations helping victims of the typhoon.

Toy Arre
Member, Executive Council AARP Hawaii

Minimum wage hurts unskilled

There are millions who drop out of high school and millions more who graduate without the minimum skills in English and math.

With a higher minimum wage, many of those who are conscientious and hard-working might not get a chance to show an employer that they would be an asset to the company.

With higher minimum wages, many employers not only would hire fewer workers but require more qualifications, such as a high school diploma or good recommendations.

Warren Fukushima
Pearl City

Think creatively to fill stadium

University of Hawaii Athletic Director Ben Jay has proposed closing the upper sections of the Aloha Stadium for UH football games.

Is he giving up on winning?If so, I may as well cancel my season tickets and the pay-per-view packages for the away games. We need a coach and AD who can take on the challenge of filling up the stadium by winning games.

To save $5,000 for cleaning the upper deck, UH could lose more than $5,000 to compensate displaced fans or for the loss of disgruntled season ticket holders.

Jay needs to be more creative and positive. Why not sell blocks of season ticket seats and sections of the upper decks in discount packages to businesses, corporations, government units, clubs and groups?

Last but not least, give a few sections to military personnel and their families through their commands.

Russel Noguchi
Pearl City

Obama should take a side trip

We all welcome native son President Barack Obama back to Hawaii and hope he will enjoy his vacation.

However, given that he is the "Pacific president" and that he is halfway to Asia, he should make a quick trip to Indonesia and the Philippines to further enhance U.S. credibility with two key regional allies. This is especially true since he had to bow out of the recent annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Indonesia and, at the same time, canceled his trip to the Philippines.

Even though the U.S. rebalancing toward Asia is underway, Asia-Pacific allies need constant reaffirmation of the U.S. commitment to the region. Taking time out of his vacation would certainly serve that end.

Bill Sharp
Moiliili

More parking would cut traffic

It is time for Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, the state Legislature and the state Department of Transportation to act decisively to reduce Oahu traffic congestion.

Even with the rail project underway, experts disagree over its purported benefits. Considering other factors like long-term population growth, it is evident more measures will be needed.

One measure must be the construction of parking garages in and around downtown.A lack of parking is the primary culprit in a chain reaction that leads to congestion in town and on the highways.

No parking in the city causes cars to back up into intersections on major roads while more cars flood in from the highway. In turn, traffic on exit ramps leading to major roads suffers, effectively paralyzing multiple lanes on the H-1.

New parking structures must be built in downtown to provide upwards of 20,000 new spaces for commuters and city residents.

Jonathan Stulberg
Waikiki