TSA PreCheck could be more effective

The first two steps to cure the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) logjam at airports seems obvious.

First, the government should create free registration for TSA PreCheck, instead of charging $85. This would encourage many more people to sign up for the service that expedites the security process.

The second step requires either airline approval or legislation to eliminate the checked bag fee for the first checked bag. This should somewhat reduce the number of carry-ons that TSA must screen.

Neither of these steps would involve the costs that would result from significant increases in the staff of TSA, although that might become necessary if the first two steps are unsuccessful.

TSA should also look into the possibility of being a summer employer for college students out of school, because this is the peak travel season.

James Duca

Kailua

City parks should be mostly undeveloped

Lee Cataluna has it right about Kakaako Waterfront Park (“Park marred by homeless? Let’s spend a jillion dollars!” Star-Advertiser, May 13).

We don’t need a bunch of constructed stuff to be able to enjoy a large open area. The people of Honolulu are pushed up against buildings everywhere, and there seems to be no end to the development.

What is wrong with having open space to walk or bike or roller skate or just sit? You don’t need a gym to play volleyball or or croquet or stroll or jog. You don’t need a roof if you have trees and tables in places to barbecue or picnic.

A beer garden adjacent to a children’s playground? Who thought that one up?

The best gift the politicians could give the people of Oahu is more open space with less manufactured noise and less commercialism — an opportunity to experience again what it is like to be in the fresh air with room to move freely and maybe hear something — the surf? — other than traffic noise.

Mary Louise O’Brien

Kaneohe

Park just needs its rules to be enforced

As a daily user of Ala Moana Beach Park, I am very concerned with all of the projects planned.

The best plan is to get someone to enforce the existing laws and rules. There are dozens of dogs everywhere. Some not even leashed. Some sleeping on the park benches so a person could not even use them.

Also, the park closes at 10 p.m.; it should be empty every night. Anyone there after that time is trespassing and breaking the law.

Please enforce the laws; it is what the park really needs.

Larry Mackey

Waikiki

Help rail work or get out of the way

I hope the government gets its act together so that the Honolulu doesn’t mark Hawaii as “the biggest loser.”

There are federal funds at risk with the rail and we should see that the route ends at Ala Moana Center. That is, unless the politicians are planning to have tourists and baby boomers walking to downtown or catching buses to the shopping mall from Kalihi (should the rail end at Middle Street).

There needs to be secure, stable plans in place with a secure and stable Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation running the show.

We’ve made the commitment and started the building. Imua or get out of the way!

Cassandra Aoki

Kaneohe

Altered rail plan could be win-win

As enormously over budget and behind schedule that rail has been so far, building the town portion will be much more expensive and time-consuming.

Mayoral candidates should campaign on solving the traffic problem by putting more jobs in or near the Leeward Coast, derailing rail and eventually turning the partially built rail supports into a supplemental freeway.

The next mayor could appease rail special interests by opening contracts for the Leeward Coast infrastructure and office buildings, so it would be a win-win-win for everybody.

Changing the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation leadership will not bring rail within budget since the original estimate was grossly understated. A $20 billion project, for instance, will not magically cost only $5 billion simply by changing the director.

And still to consider is the “surprise” of the rising maintenance costs.

Leighton Loo

Mililani

AC for classrooms will raise utility bills

Looks like public schools will get air conditioning. Next, how will the gigantic electric bills be paid? I‘ve never read anything about that.

Maybe increased taxes on top of increased taxes for the “glorious” rail? What a joke. How about taking the money from the rail to pay for the schools?

Teresa Mary Tugadi

Mililani