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Women’s health care deserves support
Recent developments in Hawaii’s rural areas highlight the difficulties of access to health care for women, particularly for low-income women.
Fewer women’s-health providers, combined with the difficulties of a rural practice, reduces access to care.
Rural practices have a larger proportion of patients with multiple medical issues, including substance addiction, and there are fewer options for women who want to get off drugs.
Anecdotally, one-fourth or more of certain practices’ pregnant patients test positive for drugs. Substance addiction in Hawaii’s pregnant women is likely underestimated and not well-studied.
As obstetrician-gynecologists, our main concern is the health of our patients and babies.We are concerned about women’s access to pregnancy and gynecologic care, as well as to addiction treatment, particularly for our most vulnerable populations.
We applaud our rural colleagues who have helped women under difficult conditions for many years.Hawaii’s women deserve better access to health care and substance addiction treatment.We urge the state to support access to women’s health care.
Lori Kamemoto, M.D.
Moanalua
Greigh Hirata, M.D.
Ala Moana
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Bike path is good for safety and traffic
I ride a bicycle. I am so happy for the separated bike path on King Street. It helps make Hono-lulu safer for everyone.
In the past, I had to ride my bicycle on the road or the sidewalk. Riding on the road can sometimes slow traffic and increases my risk of getting hurt; riding on the sidewalk can be dangerous for pedestrians.
Now I am off the road, and so are other cyclists. I am also seeing more people on bicycles — tutus, aunties, keiki, working adults. As more people see the cycle track is safe, even more people will use it, which means fewer cars on the road: less traffic, fewer potholes, less pollution and healthier people.
The cycle track takes bicycles (and cars) off the road and makes a safer, more enjoyable commute for everyone. I hope to see even more people using it and cars continuing to notice bicycles.
Michael Rollins
Waikiki
Other Oahu areas need bike paths, too
I think it is great that they put bike paths in town, but what about areas where we really need them?
I live in Mililani and ride to the airport every day to work, and then ride back to Mililani, climbing a 6-mile incline along the way.The path is mostly street and has many dangerous locations like Kipapa Gulch.
Even when I get to Pearl City and jump on the bike path it is dangerous.There are many homeless people, drug users, loose dogs, mopeds and even cars on the path. The path hasn’t been kept up in what looks like years.
Tim Burton
Mililani
Benefits unlikely if Army departs
People who think closing military bases willprovide additional property or homes to the public need to think again.
Typically when military bases are closed, they are kept inactive by the military for possiblefuture use.
Barbers Point was an exception, and just look at how long it has taken to even get through the planning stage.
Believing there will be some immediate windfall for Oahu is wishful thinking.
Doug Worrall
Kahuku
It’s time to rethink entire rail project
Regardingthe rail project,it was disappointing last Sunday to not find the following among the published choices: "Cut costs of the project by redesigninga less expensive system" ("What do you think is the best solution to the rising costs of the rail project?" Star-Advertiser, Feb. 1).
It is not yet too late todevelop a rail-less system using conveyances like the super-buses now running to Waipahu. Driverless buses will soon be a proven, accepted technology. Stations would be pull-off stops so that full buses could continue on without stopping, shaving many minutes off commuting time.
Downrating the support system to accommodate the much lighter buses would cut costs, andmore money couldbe saved by constructing a one-way system for the remaining unbuilt portion and the unpurchased land parcels.Buses could return counterflow on H-1 and even gointo neighborhoods, eliminating much of the "park and ride."
It’s time to rethink this entire project. A rail-less railroad seems to be a way out of our mess.
Jerry Mershon
Mililani
HSTA leaders risk public’s support
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is doing a disservice to its members by reopening negotiations for an increase in pay ("Teachers set to haggle with state for increase in pay, perks," Star-Advertiser, Jan. 31).
The union accepted the 2013-2017 contract, and this revisit could damage the support it had from the general public. HSTA leadership should learn from the debacle in Wisconsin, where support for collective bargaining slipped while the governor tried to balance a budget.
The Kaiser Permanente strike is a different story ("Kaiser health care workers on strike over understaffing," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 3).
Those involved there have worked over two years without a contract. This strike seems like a reasonable decision based on the facts made public. I hope that a compromise can be reached.
Teachers and hospital workers are jobs that require dedication and hard work. However, there are many citizens who dislike unions, so union leadership should pick its battles wisely.
Jim Wolfe
Nuuanu