The Handi-Van is an essential resource that my son and I use in our daily lives — but it is much more than a service.
The Handi-Van is a statement that we will not allow our brothers, sisters, parents and children to be home-bound because they do not have a car, cannot ride a bike or cannot use TheBus.
That is a beautiful value and a reflection about who we are as a people and as a culture.
Yes, the Handi-Van is not perfect. Yes, I am frustrated at times with the lack of availability and the occasional failures. But more important, my son could not, and I could not, be a functional and contributing member of society without its vital service.
I know that our city will continue to embrace the Handi-Van’s mission and its role in our city and economy.
Matthew Cohen
Makiki
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President also military leader
I am an 85-year-old male U.S. citizen, born in Ottawa, Kan., and residing in Hawaii for 50 years.
I am not a politician, but I wish to make a suggestion to all voters in upcoming presidential elections.
I think it is important that everyone realize that the moment the oath of office is completed, that person immediately becomes the commander in chief of our entire military from the lowest rank to the highest — and with that, custodian of our entire arsenal, from bayonets to nuclear weapons.
I suggest that this information be considered regarding the ability of the nominees to intelligently handle the responsibility.
Raymond D. Lowman
Aina Haina
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Taxes driving people away
I was disheartened to read that the state Senate is considering raising vehicle taxes, including the registration fand gas tax, supposedly to fix the roads (“Senate panel votes to raise vehicle taxes,” Star-Advertiser, March 1).
Lawmakers are continually pricing people out of Hawaii with the higher taxes and cost of living.
I noted in the article that Hawaii has the highest administrative costs per mile of road — $90,000 — compared to as low as $1,000 in other states. This is due to hiring friends, relatives and other do-nothing job holders who contribute to the high road taxes — and the roads remain among the worst in the nation.
It’s time for the public to wise up and vote against all incumbents.
Joseph Alexander
Waipahu
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Not just mopeds are too noisy
The “Revved up” article (Feb. 28) focused only on mopeds.
Local motorcycles and loud cars also generate severe noise problems.
Why not treat vehicle loud-noise problems exactly the way speeding cars are issued traffic fines? Issue sound meters to traffic officers and have them write penalty citations for all loud vehicle noise.
Milton Allione
Kailua
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Hawaii ideal for baseball village
A baseball village that includes a baseball academy is long overdue in Hawaii.
The five-year, $25.5 million contract that Kolten Wong received from the St. Louis Cardinals makes a strong point that we should give our youngsters an opportunity to develop their baseball skills.
A baseball complex would include several fields, low-cost accommodations, retail stores, and cafeterias and restaurants. This complex would be open all year, because it would host Pacific Rim championships in the following categories: 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, open division and Winter League.
Pineapple and sugar cane are things of the past in Waialua, which would be the ideal place to build the baseball village.
Herbert Morioka
Aina Haina
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Chinatown needs more bathrooms
Over the past several days, I have heard at least a dozen times that trips to Chinatown were unbearable because of the pervasive odor of urine.
Previously homeless myself, I am guilty as charged of peeing outdoors. If residents do not want the smell outdoors, then there must be some provision for bathrooms. Humans are, after all, animals and what goes in must inevitably come out.
Free food is always on offer at the blessed River of Life; now we must confront the problem of sanitary removal of the waste.
Please let’s look at this dilemma from a realistic perspective and solve the problem as a community. It will take cohesion of forces and we can do that if we keep our collective gain in view.
Let’s unite Honolulu for a cleaner city.
Katharine Connolly
Chinatown
