Protect people from pesticides

In Hawaii and elsewhere we have many situations in which governments, homeowner associations, neighbors and farmers are spraying or allowing the use of highly toxic chemicals in or near public places near our homes — hospitals, churches, shopping areas, streets, sidewalks, schools, parks and playgrounds.

Small children and animals, including our pets, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic chemicals than adult humans.

We may not be protected by the law in any place but our homes, but with Hawaii’s open-air houses, we should be protected there if nowhere else.

Why do we, the people, and our various governments allow this to happen? Why no outcry from our people, especially with our severe doctor shortages and the high cost of medical care?

Bill Russell
Mililani

Cut military on Big Island, too

I applaud the formation of an Oahu Council for Army Downsizing.

Many on Hawaii island feel Pohakuloa should follow suit.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii chooses to ignore President Dwight Eisenhower’s warning concerning an unbridled military-industrial complex.

One-quarter of Oahu and one-eighth of Hawaii island are under the control of the military. These lands aresome of the mostdesirable on Earth and deserve a nobler use than training for war, death and destruction.

We desperately need to divert our economy away from relying on the military, which has proven to be an irresponsible steward.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources isbeing sued for allowing the military to degrade and desecrate Pohakuloa. It has a constitutional duty to protect our natural resources and health.

Moanikeala Akaka
Hilo

City doesn’t care about our needs

In answer to Walter Leu’s question, it makes perfect sense to the Honolulu Police Department, our mayor and City Council to herd pedestrians to a crosswalk where they can push broken buttons hundreds of times to watch traffic lights recycle without ever granting pedestrians permission to cross the street ("Safety campaign rough on wallet," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 20).

It makes perfect sense not to construct public toilets downtown — or in Chinatown — because mothers, children, the elderly and the homeless do not need to wash their hands, or go to the toilet, until they get home.

It makes perfect sense to spend billions of dollars railroading people to shopping malls and investment sites rather than spend millions transporting people to work sites and hospitals.

I could go on, but suffice to say government is not about public service. It is all about wholesale corruption.

Rico Leffanta
Kakaako

Rail will expand travel options

I guess we can consider the option of canceling rail, but we must also consider the repercussions of that decision, mainly the traffic conditions.

What about canceling the rail, but writing a law that permits only two cars per property, regardless of number of drivers in that household?

Now we begin playing with our rights.

What about the rights of non-drivers? A bus ride in our current traffic can take hours.

Phase One of the rail is a start in connecting non-drivers withcommuting opportunities. Not all of us live downtown and walk to work. Think about the larger picture and consider the future possibilities.

Jeffery Edlund
Ewa Beach

One’s great view comes with cost

When you see "great views" in the advertisements for the condos going up, you know a lot of people willlose their view.

It is like folks who wear huge hats to ballgames — they just don’t care about anyone else.

Paul K. Funkhouser
Wahiawa