Fine was peanuts for Hawaiian Air

If Hawaiian Airlines lost your bags and compensated you less than what you were entitled, or if you got scammed trying to redeem the companion offer it promised, not to worry — the U.S. Department of Transportation has your back.

Never mind Hawaiian claims an internal miscommunication for the bag debacle, and a computer glitch for the companion fare scam. It just got fined $80,000. Considering it only took in a mere $76 million in baggage fees, I’m sure it will never do anything like this again.

To keep violations and punishment equitable, I suggest that parking tickets cost 50 cents and speeding tickets 75 cents.

Mark Ida
Salt Lake

Developers take from the poor

Most workers can’t afford this Ho‘opili development. Meanwhile, many go hungry; sustainability is just talk. Traffic is past bad, and the “solution” is hurting us.

Most political leaders convince themselves and try to convince others that what they are doing is right (instructed by speculators and developers). They develop unaffordable houses and unnecessary facilities and continue to give up our quality of life for others who come to speculate.

We have given up much already for tourists, the rich and speculators that so many have become homeless, and many more will be.

These types of houses will not solve the homeless problem or what ails most in Hawaii. What these houses will do is bring possibly 25,000 to 30,000 more people and vehicles here. Our lower-income people need food and shelter.

Robert Robinson
Waialua

Maui bicyclists crowd walkers

I have no sympathy for bicyclists because they have no consideration for pedestrians, at least on Maui.

Taxpayers have paid millions to accommodate them with bike lanes and the like, but most cyclists insist on unlawfully riding on the sidewalks, even when a bike lane is just two feet away.

They race by within inches of pedestrians, often from behind, scaring the heck out of us. The law does not require bells on bikes and no one has them.

There are signs everywhere telling pedestrians and drivers what they can and cannot do, but no signs tell cyclists to stay off the sidewalks (in nonresidential areas) or to follow any other traffic law. Years of complaining to County of Maui has never gotten me a reply.

So boo-hoo, lawless and inconsiderate cyclists. This dedicated walker wishes a plague of flat tires on you.

Kurt Butler
Wailuku

State still paying for Abercrombie

So now the hubris of Gov. Neil Abercrombie is once again costing us more money (“State pays newspaper for nominees battle,” Star-Advertiser, May 22).

Let’s remember, folks, his unethical decision to not complete the U.S. House of Representatives term to which he was elected. Instead he ran for governor, costing us taxpayers $1 million for a special election.

Abercrombie once famously said: “I am the governor. I’m not your pal.” He was never the latter, and now thankfully he’s not the former either.

Mark Stitham
Kailua

Elderly could use some compassion

Where is the compassion in our government? It can spend time arguing over politics but refuses to allow elderly couples to live their lives together (“Care home measure is deferred,” Star-Advertiser, May 5).

Mr. and Mrs. Noboru Kawamoto, married for 67 years, paying all their own bills and dependent on no one, are physically separated because the Legislature does not care about them.

Think if these were your parents.

Marilyn Smith
Kailua