A Star-Advertiser article quoted state Rep. Scott Nishi- moto of the House Finance Committee as criticizing the University of Hawaii for scaling back projected student tuition increases (“UH funds request gets cool reception,” Jan. 13).
Does Nishimoto not know that recent tuition hikes have been well above inflation rates, that many UH students from working-class backgrounds find the current $10,000-plus tuition and fees a burden, and that many students are working 20 or 30 hours a week in addition to carrying full course loads?
Sadly, as a 40-year member of the UH-Manoa faculty, I can remember when keeping tuition low enough at UH to provide access for every worthy student was a point of pride in the Legislature.
If Nishimoto is truly interested in helping the UH to a more rational budget, he should address the runaway deficits of the athletics department and the Cancer Center and the obscene salaries being paid to a bloated top administration. But leave tuition alone.
Noel Kent
Manoa
Why isn’t end point for rail contentious?
The only thing that the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation should be doing at this point is seeking alternative solutions to finishing this rail hoax within its original time and budget.
The reason this sham continues is, because like most other government projects, it was never intended to be as originally presented. Former Mayor Mufi Hannemann fooled voters by getting this ancient technology on the ballot and it continues eating up taxpayer dollars under Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s direction.
Why isn’t the planned end stop at Ala Moana, a privately owned property, not more controversial? This is a city project that should serve the public, not General Growth Properties. Is it kicking in $1 billion for winning the final destination? The most logical termination is the city-owned Middle Street station, period. No side beneficiaries or deals.
If HART has any shrewd business negotiators, the federal governent would likely not ask for any money back; but even if it did, saving $1 billion by not going to Ala Moana brings the project right about on the mark.
The City Council should do the right thing now, and save the future Honolulu, economically and aesthetically.
Byron Wailani
Maunalani Heights
Safety checks could stop illegal mufflers
Our aina is being assaulted with increasing levels of illegal muffler noise pollution, often intentional, that creates stress and makes our lives and neighborhoods less pleasant.
Since mopeds are under review for regulation of noise nuisance (“City measure on mopeds aimed at reducing noise,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 8), how much more should the numerous, blatantly obnoxious, illegally modified motorcycle and car exhausts and cars with boomboxes be controlled?
Why should the sale of exhaust systems that increase auto and truck noise and straight-pipe exhausts with no mufflers on motorcycles be allowed to noise-pollute Oahu’s roadways? These muffler modifications are illegal, yet are not subject to safety inspections.
A simple safety inspection for already defined illegal mufflers would quickly bring the peace, quiet and aloha that all of us desires.
John Wesley Nakao
Ala Moana
Playgrounds not fit for children under 6
Considering the amount of money spent for upgrades to playground equipment at community parks, I’m disappointed in the cookie-cutter approach to the newly renovated playground structures (“City’s park repairs are continuing,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 7).
The three Kailua renovated playgrounds (Enchanted Lake, Pohakupu and Kalaheo) are almost identical in their design and build. And while they are great for older children, none of them have any slides or small climbing apparatus appropriate for children under the age of 6.
The equipment is dangerous for young children with extremely high platforms and no rails to protect young children from falling off.
During the day, many families with young children meet at local parks for play and socialization when older children are in school. Shouldn’t community playgrounds be designed to meet the needs of everyone and not just a select few?
Sharon Walsh
Kailua
Tough talk is how Trump succeeds
Years ago, Ronald Reagan said to a moderator: “I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green!”
This shocked the public, because they had not seen that side of Reagan. But they liked his toughness, and his popularity soared right away.
Years later, Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Gorbachev did not have to obey. But the Berlin Wall came down.
We like a president to be tough when necessary.
Donald Trump leads the polls because he is a leader and seems tougher than the others. He says what we think, and we believe he would fight for us. The others — not so much. On the same stage, he is the leader. We are for Trump because he is for us. He would be good for America.
Mark Terry
Wahiawa
GOP candidates perilously bellicose
I hope it is all political theater, but we have no choice but to accept Republican president wannabes’ bellicose rhetoric and anti-detente vociferations as sincere.
None of them are veterans, but they all appear eager to ship your kids off to fabricated and unnecessary conflicts.
It’s all very dangerous demagoguery. Have we learned nothing from previous embarrassing and costly belligerence?
Jeff Bigler
Wailuku
