We have to get real about ISIS menace

I respectfully suggest that President Barack Obama immediately announce that the U.S. is at war with radical Muslim terrorists.

And that he convene a combined emergency meeting of both houses of Congress and all members of the administration’s Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs to strategize ending this 21st century crusade reign of terror.

Jihadism is now more than simply a threat of which to be wary; it is a threat to all of civilized mankind.

Intelligent people must know that political correctness is killing us and others worldwide, and that this pretense of kindness and respect does not work.

We must get real, stop this national divisiveness and reunite as a nation.

We rely on the president and Congress to perform their sworn constitutional duty to protect the people of our country. That is why they are there.

Phil Broms
Niu Valley

Trans-Pacific deal must be stopped

Reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

It is outrageous that legislation written by lobbyists on behalf of corporations and themselves would be presented to Congress for a vote.

If enacted, corporations would have the right to sue when their products have been banned, overriding national health concerns.

And that’s just one aspect of this dangerous “legislation,” which must be stopped.

Louise Simrell
Waialua

Obama prevented economic disaster

Norman Fung writes disparagingly about President Barack Obama (“Obama years disappointing,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 13).

One cannot help but wonder if Fong entirely missed the economic near-death experience handed Obama by the Bush administration. If so, he would have missed the incredible heroics by our president to save us from it.

One of our greatest, Franklin D. Roosevelt, solved the first Great Depression in 10 years. Obama solved the second great depression in half the time. If Fung had remembered the Bush economic disaster, he would be as embarrassed by his letter, as I am for him.

Rick Lloyd
Punchbowl

June Jones would get stadium rocking

I have a lot of respect for former University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow and his contribution to the people of Hawaii and our university. I wish him and his family well.

On another note, I’m 100 percent sure that on the first home game of the 2016 season, our stadium would be standing room only if June Jones were at the helm.

We are anxious to hear the stomping of thousands of feet and watch as the “wave” rolls through the stands again.

The time is opportune to have Jones as the head coach for UH again. Add Nick Rolovich, Rich Miano and Cal Lee to the team and, wow, I would definitely buy season tickets.

Michael Nii
Ewa Beach

HCDA faces critical land-use decision

In several weeks the Hawaii Community Development Authority will be making a critical decision that will either help to improve three parcels along Kewalo Basin Harbor (Kewalos) or forever change one of the last pieces of undeveloped public waterfront properties into another Waikiki.

Howard Hughes Corp. submitted proposals for the three lots, while Kewalo Development Partners submitted a proposal for only the largest parcel.

To Howard Hughes’ credit, it addressed the public’s concerns by downsizing its original proposal and incorporating landscape improvements and building renovations that would enhance Kewalos and preserve ocean access.

Howard Hughes has further committed itself to the “lei of green” connectivity concept, adopted by the HCDA in 2011, that would connect Ala Moana Beach Park to Kewalos and eventually on to Kakaako Park.

With more than 30,000 new residents expected in the Kakaako-Mauka area, we need more, not less, open park space.

I strongly urge HCDA to make the right choice to preserve this magical place for the public in perpetuity.

Thomas Iwai Jr.
Treasurer, Friends of Kewalos

What is HART doing to trim its costs?

Oh, rail!

Throw more good money after bad?

Abandon rail in its current state so Oahu has a new tourist attraction: tall pillars dotting the landscape?

After two hours of grilling about rail budgets, overruns and costs, it seems the only solution is more taxes for residents, many of whom will have little, if any, benefit of rail (“Rail funding, routes at issue,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 12).

Do we believe that any estimate of rail costs is accurate for construction that is years away?

In the private sector, it was my experience that when a project was over budget, a definitive plan on how to address the issue was required. Staff and salary reductions, tighter bidding and quotation processes, and reduced or simplified design specifications were all used to bring the total cost back in line with expectations.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation needs to meet its on-time, on-budget commitment before simply asking for more or else.

Greg Schmidt
Hawaii Kai