City spending plan will help Chinatown

We applaud the City Council for setting aside $450,000 toward Chinatown public toilets by either activating existing toilets in city buildings or building some stand-alone facilities in city parks.

We waited a long time for this and we are grateful. This is step one toward a cleaner Chinatown and definitely a big boost to our business, residents and visitors.

With $47 million set aside for Housing First and homeless programs, we are thankful solutions are on the horizon to combat this very difficult issue in Chinatown, Waikiki and elsewhere.

Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock
President, Chinatown Business and Community Association

Oahu cabs may be in for a rough ride

I read the article about the ride-share company Lyft starting a Honolulu operation and how the head of Charley’s Taxi complained about unfair competition from Lyft ("Ride-sharing service arrives in Honolulu," Star-Advertiser, June 6).

The head of San Francisco’s DeSoto Cab Co. said in a CBS local news story that San Francisco’s taxi industry could disappear in 18 months because companies like Lyft were so popular. So local taxi companies should be prepared for a rough ride, if Lyft really takes off.

Dexter Wong
Waialae-Kahala

Superferry is sorely missed by residents

Regardless of one’s feelings about Mufi Hannemann’s candidacy for governor, knocking the Superferry is not a valid argument ("Keeping Superferry afloat still doesn’t seem reasonable," Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, June 8).

As someone who travels frequently to the neighbor islands these days and has to deal with exorbitant airline prices and associated inconveniences, it just reinforces the need for alternative ocean options, which are especially helpful to residents as well as being attractive to tourists.

One of my main recollections of travel on the Superferry was the great number of local people and families on board, including workers coming for jobs with their vehicles and gear.

Travel was super convenient, smooth and comfortable, unlike Seaflite, where mechanical breakdowns were a problem. Seasickness was definitely not a signifi- cant issue.

I credit any politician who has the foresight and the backbone to propose a fresh look at one of our biggest island deficiencies.

Peter Caldwell
Alewa Heights

Hawaiian Airlines has served us well

Jim Delmonte writes, "What Hawaii needs is Southwest Airlines" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 4).

Really?

I have flown Hawaiian Airlines for decades and have found most flights meet or exceed my expectations: modern equipment, great service and even a free meal on longer flights.

The "gouger airline" reference is completelyunfair and inaccurate. I just flew to Kauai paying $79 each way,including all fees and taxes. Yes, if you do not plan in advance, you will pay $250 or more for a walk-up fare.

Hawaiian Air had nothing to do with the demise of Aloha Airlines and hasfaithfully remained inthe inter-island market for more than 80 years.

James L. Jones
Hawaii Kai

Kailua marsh helps with rain runoff

With reference to Cheryl McIlroy’sletter about destroying a beautiful, protected and pristine marsh ("Plan for marsh widely opposed," Star-Advertiser, June 11), I certainly concur with her comments.

I would add that these wetlands also capture mountain rain runoff and add to Oahu’s sustainable groundwater yield. It is the second-largest aquifer recharge zone on Oahu.

The automobile traffic next to the marsh can already form mile-long jammed lines. Kailua does not need to import total gridlock.

Milton Allione
Kailua

Doctors at Tripler among the best

I’ve been using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health services for 40 years and I love it.

I’m tired of hearing bad things about them, and I’ve had two operations at Tripler.

I like them because of the promptness of their appointments. Also, my doctor is very competent and takes good care of me. He’s probably the best doctor I’ve ever had.

Clyde Starbuck
Haleiwa

Congress must help fix VA bureaucracy

There’s a certainty that a bill to overhaul health care for veterans will be signed into law by President Barack Obama by the end of this month.

Legislation was blocked by Republicans in February, but after the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system came under harsh criticism, the Republicans reversed position.

Fixing the bureaucracy of the VA will require great measures, and Congress needs to help.

Ray Horita
Palolo Valley