Mayor’s legacy will be huge debt

After listening to our mayor boast of his achievements, I couldn’t help but be disgusted ("Fiscal fitness touted," Star-Advertiser, March 3).

Yes, he has been vigilant in repaving our streets, but he has driven this state into massive debt with this rail mess he’s gotten Hawaii into.

Had he beefed up the bus system with more buses and schedules instead, the entire island would be better off rather than just a portion of Oahu.

The mayor is in a deep hole, with one hand patting himself on the back and the other hand trying to pull himself out of the ever-growing rail debt that he is expecting the citizens of Hawaii to help pay for in taxes.

Gail Caveney
Kailua

Rail is solution to traffic mess

Articles continue to appear in the editorial section urging us to end rail construction and find alternative solutions.

An article recently pointed out that nearly 14,000 new vehicles were registered in the last quarter of 2014 in the state ("Isle auto sales rev up," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 19). There will probably be the same amount of cars sold this year.

It may not be intuitive, but these new cars are being added to an already saturated roadway system. It’s no wonder that gridlock on H-1 that used to start at 3:30 p.m. on workdays now start before 2 p.m.

We need to get past the two-dimensional view of things regarding express buses and express tollways. What good is an express bus if it’s stuck among the thousands of other vehicles on the roadway?

The rail offers a third dimension — an elevated track above the roadway. Yes, it is expensive to build, but it is time that we face up to the realities of the 21st century.

Moses Akana
Aiea

There must be a way to peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress demonstrated the importance of clarifying America’s relationship with Israel.

We need more understanding and knowledge about that part of the world, especially its history, culture, religions and politics.

Obviously, this complex situation will need many years, a lot of wisdom and better communication in order to reach any lasting, just solution.

I’ve been deeply concerned about the injustice committed against the Palestinians for a long time. I’ve been equally bothered by America’s supply of military aid to Israel; it would be much wiser to invest in humanitarian needs rather than ways to kill people.

We also need to distinguish between our support of the Jewish people and our disagreement with the policies of the nation of Israel.

There must be a way to enable the process of forgiveness, acceptance and respect between the Jews, Muslims, Christians and others who are conflicted over their mutual survival.

John Heidel
Kailua

Boycott of speech was disrespectful

Shame, shame, shame on congressional Democrats for boycotting the Israeli prime minister’s speech to the full Congress.

Such an act of disrespect is undoubtedly the extent of congressional Democrats’ political prowess and sense of bipartisanship, no more than kiddie tit-for-tat political game-playing.

It’s no wonder we have a divided, do-nothing Congress.

Alfred Freitas Jr.
Maunalani Heights

Leave earlier and arrive alive

As a pedestrian who was hit by the moped observed, we seem to be distracted these days, so let’s all remember to be more aware of each other out there.

Bikes, pedestrians, cars, mopeds and skateboards are all using our crowded streets, and the crashes keep coming.

It only takes a few seconds to give a little aloha that can save a life or at least a trip to the ER.

It is worth that time, and anyone who is in that big of a hurry should leave earlier next time and learn to look away from the phone. We all deserve to get where we need to go in one piece.

Nick Blank
Hawaii Kai