Roadside rules not enforced in Lanikai

Before implementing its next test on banning parking on the bike lane side of the Lanikai loop, the cityshould make sure that the illegal rocks and planted trees on the other side of the street, as well as the side streets,are cleared so that we who live on the loop have a place for our guests or maintenance vehicles to park.

There are many residents who illegallyput out large rocks or plant treeson city property to discourage parking in front of their homes. The part of the loop I live on has no parking on the other side because of trees and rocks placed on city land.

Beach traffic already clogsup the side streets, taking away parking for guests and residents. We are being told that we have to park on the side streets if we have overflow from our driveways.

In other words, the city should bring everything into compliance before doing its next "test."

Wayne Parker
Kailua

Make tax surcharge for rail permanent

I did not know when the 0.5 percent rail surtax went into effect. I did not see any difference in costs when Iwent shopping.

I am in favor of a permanent half-percent general excise tax surcharge to support the rail and the bus system.

With Ho‘opili and Koa Ridge coming up soon, adding thousands of cars, we will be happy that the rail was built.

There will be more cost overruns but we must support the rail.

Herbert Ishida
Mililani

Added rail expense not really a surprise

If they build it, will it run?

Not without your tax dollars via the Honolulu Ready Rapid Tax.

The mayor’s request to continue the general excise tax was a foregone conclusion.

Yes, there are those who love to protest the excise tax and the rail — but from the very beginning, have you ever seen a government project in Hawaii that did not exceed its budgeted cost by at least 30 percent?

What didthe people think was going to sustain this project even when it is completed? Public transportation throughout the worldis not sustainedby the income that it generates. In all countries,the rail systems are supported by the high taxes levied upon their constituents.

So, people of Hawaii, you can look forward tonot only paying the increased excise tax for the next 25 years-plus, but for eternity.

John Rupert
Palolo Valley

Let other companies bid to purchase HEI

NextEra should not be the only game in town.

Hawaii would be better served with request for proposals (RFP) from a number of utility companies instead of solely from Next-Era, which has not provided sufficient details and specifics to be considered a trustworthy energy provider for the state.

The proposers’ RFPs should articulate specific energy goals and initiatives — over 10-year increments for at least 30 years — to create short-, mid- and long-term horizons for program implementation and evaluation.

Equally important is for the Public Utilities Commission and the state to outline major penalty provisions for energy initiatives not satisfactorily accomplished.

Only then will Hawaii be able to ascertain the true colors of its future energy provider.

Ed Uchida
Hawaii Kai

Poverty contributes to underachieving

I want to applaud Paul McKimmy for his thought-provoking commentary, "My two kids" (Insight, Star-Advertiser, Feb. 15).

In Hawaii, I’m not sure why teachers are the "whipping boys" of the politicians. We are easy targets for politicians shifting the blame, rather than addressing the problems.

Also published was the commentary by Marianne Berry and Ivette Rodriquez Stern ("Fight poverty’s effects on children’s learning by strengthening the family"). Both of these articles addressed the effects of poverty on children.

All three authors clearly stated there is a poverty problem here. With the high cost of living and low wages, we definitely have two societies: the haves and the have-nots.

These authors are right: Until we address poverty’s effects on children’s learning, we will continue to have the "problem of low academic achievement, behavioral problems, grade failure and drop outs" escalating every day.

It’s not the teachers, or the schools — it’s our society and our priorities.

Mary Jo Morrow
Kailua

We should do more to help caregivers

Nearly 250,000 caregivers in Hawaii provide critical nursing care for disabled and chronically ill people in their homes, mainly for elderly relatives

Without these selfless, often unpaid caregivers, our health care system would collapse. Yet, most caregivers perform their heroic tasks without necessary training and instructions, often at risk to their loved ones and themselves.

The Care Act, first proposed by AARP and others in 2014, would require acute-care hospitals to provide caregivers with this basic vital training before their loved ones are discharged from the hospitals to their care.

Unfortunately, the bill was deferred by the state Legislature’s Health Committees due to hospital lobby opposition, mainly out of concern about costs and liability.

The bill gives hospitals immunity from liability, so it comes down to balancing money versus the health and safety of our kupuna.

There must be a way to reach a compromise. The caregivers need help, not another year of indecision.

Francis Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley