The folks who want to stop the rail transit system short of Ala Moana Center are forgetting one thing: me ("Rail funding, routes at issue," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12).
I am 72 and live a block and a half from the proposed rail station at Aala Park. Ala Moana Center is my most favored destination and, when the time comes to stop driving, I would use rail to get there.
I like City Council Chairman Ernie Martin, but spitting in the face of $1.55 billion in federal funds to shorten rail is surely misguided. Witness Washington, D.C., where it is now, after 35 years of the Metro, running its transit out to Dulles Airport.
There will never be a cheaper time to get this job done. If we don’t finish it, folks in the future will shake their heads and wonder why we stopped right where population density begins.
Ann Beeson
Chinatown
Real problem with rail is honesty, not cost
City Council Chairman Ernie Martin’s recent remarks regarding the possible forfeiture of federal funds is short-sighted and demonstrates a lack of leadership ("Rail funding, routes at issue," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12).
A forfeiture would undoubtedly increase the burden on local people by raising property taxes and extending the general excise tax surcharge. Martin seems more interested in engaging in shallow attempts at feeding his ego rather than acting responsibly. If he wants the rail project to improve the lives of Oahu residents, Martin should cease the "big body" posturing.
He says he wants people to know the truth about the costs and the options. If so, Martin needs to start by telling the truth about how the citizens of Honolulu have been misled into this financial swamp. Corruption does not beget transparent and honest government. Until the past unethical behavior is fully disclosed and resolved, there is no hope of a better future for rail or our city government.
Abigail K. Kawananakoa
Campbell Estate heir
Let’s quit giving away the assets of Hawaii
We live here. We are the Aloha State, we own the "commons" — our weather, our beaches, our mountains, our aina. Yet we give it away. We don’t have to. Other states don’t!
The state of Alaska created the Alaska Permanent Fund in 1976. Through this vehicle, assets consumed by past generations are preserved for future generations. The smallest dividend paid to every Alaskan resident was $331, in 1984; the largest, $2,072, in 2015.
Rather than give away our natural resources, we ought to charge non-residents for enjoying and profiting from our resources. Any investor in Hawaii real estate profits from our natural resources. What do we get out of it? That it’s more and more unaffordable to live here.
Our state could add a surcharge of, say, 10 percent, to the purchase price of second homes by non-residents. We could use those revenues for housing the homeless. Or, similar to Alaska, create a fund and pay it out to residents.
Let’s quit giving it away.
Peter Burns
Kaneohe
NextEra overestimates cost of going green
NextEra’s preposterous idea of spending $30 billion to achieve 100 percent renewable energy in 2045 should eliminate it from acquiring Hawaiian Electric ("$30 billion estimate burdens consumers, Next-Era critics say," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11).
The comparison is not exact, but HECO estimates that only $7 billion would be needed to achieve 65 percent renewable energy.
NextEra says it would contribute only about half of the $30 billion, with others contributing the other half. However, all investors are going to want to recover their investments and make profits. Those costs would be passed on to the 455,000 customers on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.
Those customers could be saddled with an average payment of more than $2,000 annually for the next 30 years. And that would be only for infrastructure. The cost of electricity would be additional.
Oahu residents are already fed up with paying the rail general excise tax surcharge, which would look like peanuts compared to what NextEra has in mind for Hawaii.
John Kawamoto
Kaimuki
Military in Hawaii can depend on NextEra
As president of the Honolulu Council of the Navy League, I have presided over a myriad of events in the last decade recognizing our men and women in uniform. Hawaiian Electric Co. has always, without fail, answered the call for support. This has proven critical to our honoring our men and women in uniform, from the Wounded Warriors to the Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year.
HECO’s largest customer in Hawaii is the military. The actions and decisions HECO has taken in the past have been instrumental to the security of the United States and our Pacific allies. Based on its past performance and decisions, I believe HECO will do what is best for Hawaii and the defense of our nation in its negotiations with Next-Era, and that NextEra will continue to support the Hawaii community and the U.S. military in ensuring the security of our nation.
Carl Devoe
President, Honolulu Navy League
FROM THE FORUM
“City transit official is director of firm receiving rail case” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9:
>> What’s the difference between this and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board member Colleen Hana
busa representing three City Council members on ethics violations relating to rail? They have a closed-door session and then, voila, no violations are found.
>> Hey, no problem, right? We’re all one big ohana here. What’s the big deal?
———
“Housing First, sobriety later” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9:
>> I’m glad to see that we have a place where people can restart their lives again.
>> This is the wrong place to restart a life. Hawaii is the most expensive state in the nation. They will always be homeless and forever dependent on handouts, as long as they stay here. What they need is help relocating to a place where the cost of living is lower.
>> Why aren’t we helping those who are working poor and their families? Is it because they play by the rules? How about this for criminal behavior: Jail first, sobriety second, housing third.
>> When 20 percent of the issue is responsible for 80 percent of your costs, you fix those people first as it saves you loads of money — money you can then use to help working families.
———
“Oklahoma crew all disinterred” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 10:
>> May the souls of these soldiers rest in peace. May their final resting place among their families be honored.
———
“Telescope supported, survey finds” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 10:
>> It’s fairly obvious that most of the state’s population is either in favor of or neutral about the construction of the telescope. I see the quantification of the degree of support via a poll to be a wise move. In the meantime, the protest groups continue to use misinformation and hyperbole in an attempt to convince us that building the telescope will be an environmental and social disaster, which is simply not true.
>> Are you serious? What a flawed poll — 613 people surveyed represents the majority of Hawaii residents?
———
“TMT work to resume on Mauna Kea” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11:
>> Oh, I see. You put out a poll, make up your own questions, and if the majority agrees, that supersedes any existing legal process, so TMT can be above the law when it wants to. What a scam.
>> This is a tough one. It’s one of the few things Hawaii can provide to top, world-class science, and who knows what discoveries await. But obviously a vocal contingent has strong feelings.
———
“State yanks boat harbor lease from Honey Bee” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 11:
>> No other developer seems interested, which tells me that there are too many obstacles from too many self-serving groups opposing any development. A Howard Hughes-type grand condo/promenade is just what the neighborhood deserves. Sure beats a run-down, foul-smelling, garbage dump that the Ala Wai harbor area is now.
>> Absolutely, positively do not be tempted to allow a condo tower there. Keep it low-profile and practical. This is a chance for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to do the right thing.
———
“Bid by Hee to dismiss tax fraud convictions is rejected” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12
>> I doubt if he will ever see the inside of a cell. Too well connected.
>> Just no shame from this guy.
———
“Rail funding, routes at issue” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12:
>> Oh, wow! What a surprise. Rail is turning into a financial boondoggle. Who woulda thought?
>> The only way for Council Chairman Ernie Martin to become mayor is by clearly turning against rail and convincing the Council to tell the feds we are converting the elevated structure to HOT (high-occupancy toll) lanes for express bus, carpool and toll. This would terminate at Aloha Stadium, where car occupants could transfer to express buses. If Ernie does this, he would get a huge groundswell of support and win, but if he just plays his usual game of re-arranging the deck chairs, with nonsense about extending rail, capping the tax and changing routes, he is toast.
