Hats off to Fujio Matsuda for his commentary, in which he states that the opponents of rail should undertake a change of the City Charter if they believe the project should be halted (“Building rail from Kapolei to Manoa meets intention of Oahu General Plan,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 29).

Had rail opponents not caused numerous lengthy delays, rail transit would be in existence today, funded largely by federal money.

I salute Matsuda for his dedication to a plan that is obviously overdue for completion, and which is right for Oahu.

Phil Olsen

Makiki

Rail proves worth in South Florida

My spouse and I are from South Florida and have visited three times in four years. We adore Hawaii and we may retire here.

With Hawaii news apps we keep up with news, events, and — most notably — the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transporta- tion rail project.

South Florida has had challenges to establish competitive light rail for 6 million people. After many decades we have success via MetroRail, MetroMover and Tri-Rail, enabling riders to travel 101 miles along the coast and to all three international airports.

There were constant, endless challenges. We persevered and have a unified, rapid rail-transit system.

A project of this size is inevitably complex. South Florida’s experience was no different and just as frustrating as Honolulu’s. Eventually the result will be a world-class transit system.

Douglas Hasty

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Get advice on prostate cancer

In the article by Gina Kolata on treatment options for men diagnosed with early prostate cancer, Dr. Alan J. Wein is quoted as saying, “We need follow-up of at least 10 to 15 years to be sure we are not hurting these people” (“Many men with early prostate cancer skip treatment,” Star-Advertiser, May 27).

There is follow-up already available. Dr. Laurence Klotz published results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology last year, based on the 20-year experience of an active surveillance program of men with low-risk prostate cancer.

His findings showed men have the same chance of being alive 15 years after diagnosis whether they chose active surveillance or had surgery or radiation treatment immediately after diagnosis. Most men still had not needed any other type of prostate cancer treatment.

Therefore, it follows that after a diagnosis of early stage, low-risk, low-volume prostate cancer, before making any treatment decision it is important for men to discuss the treatment option of active surveillance with their urologist.

David Derris

Senior adviser, Hawaii Prostate Cancer Coalition

Price deserves all the accolades

It was a very nice insert on Larry Price; he deserves all the accolades we can give him (“The legend of Larry Price,” Star-Advertiser, May 27).

It was surprising, though, that none of the praise touched on his selfless service each time there’s been a bad storm or natural disaster.

Knowing that Price will be on the radio for as long as it takes, keeping all of us up-to-date, has to be one of the most reassuring aspects of living in Hawaii.

If you’ll forgive a small pun, he’s priceless.

Jim Newman

Waianae

Seeing ‘Hokus’ online was great

Mahalo to KFVE for excellent coverage of the Na Hoku Hanohano awards and for being able to watch online.

I am so happy for Jimmy Borges winning all those awards he has deserved for so long.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Dolores Treffeisen

Philadelphia

We already have a ‘peace’ agency

Roman Leverens advocated establishment of a “Department of Peace, where we would work just as hard to establish peace as we do in preparing ourselves for war” (“Honor our veterans but don’t glorify war,” Star-Advertiser, May 30).

The State Department is really our peace department. It tries to maintain the peace through diplomacy, aid and social services. When it fails and war breaks out, the president can request the Defense Department to evacuate U.S. noncombatants, attack enemy combatants and restore the peace.

Therefore, the Defense Department not only ensures peace and freedom in America but also helps other countries create, restore and maintain peace.

The Defense Department also ensures the safety worldwide of Americans in U.S. government, academic, business, medical, social, tourism and humanitarian activities.

To accomplish the “peace” mission effectively, the Defense Department requires strong military capabilities, widespread overseas deployments and engagements, and truly dedicated personnel.

Russel Noguchi

Pearl City

Wrong direction easy to figure out

Guidance is requested in identifying the “wrong direction” in which a majority believe we are moving as a nation (“‘Wrong direction’ is propaganda ploy,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 29).

Let’s begin with a debt of some $17 trillion — one that has doubled under this administration alone. Then let’s visit the workforce participation rate — the lowest in recent history, with nearly 100 million Americans electing to not even seek employment (a figure conveniently overlooked in calculation of a skewed unemployment rate).

How about the soaring poverty rate? The GDP is cited as “slowly” growing. That we struggle to boast 1-2 percent growth, thanks primarily to an eight-year regulatory chokehold on industry, is pathetic.

Add to these a leader who reflexively leaps at every opportunity to centralize the federal government, obliterating the autonomy of states and virtually ignoring individual rights, and it should be abundantly clear to anyone with a functioning synapse that we are barreling down a road to disaster.

Stephen Hinton

Waialua

Developers get what they want

I recently read about the Friends of Kahala trying to stop an Alexander & Baldwin condo development in Kahala (“Luxury condo plan riles Kahala residents,” Star-Advertiser, May 15).

Good luck with that.

Years ago, residents in Mililani tried to promote a performing arts center and it was halted for a two-story condo now being built.

What I have learned in living on this aina for 26 years is that big developers usually get what they want, and there are perpetual controversies with how the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and city Department of Planning and Permitting make decisions.

Recent examples as reported in the Star-Advertiser include Kunia Loa, where non-approved homes are built on agricultural land due to confusing building code exemptions, and a condo development in Kakaako that is allowed to keep non-approved highly reflective glass by just paying a fine.

Chris Jansen

Mililani