Rail transit part of thriving cities

The problem with rail transit is that Hawaii has lost its visionaries in government like Fujio Matsuda (“Building rail from Kapolei to Manoa meets intention of Oahu General Plan,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 29).

His earlier commentaries talked about how great urban centers offer their residents alternatives for mass transit. His vision and end-point clarity are amazing.

If you Google “Transportation in San Francisco’s Bay Area,” you can see how progressive metropolitan transit systems are functioning and moving citizens from their homes to their jobs and back.

Heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, people movers and highways are connecting dozens of thriving, growing population centers along the Bay Area Peninsula, from San Francisco to San Jose.

Putting up with the construction mess today is something that we should sacrifice for our best future. It’s upsetting to know some great cities are enjoying this preferred future now while we on Oahu remain in a Third World traffic gridlock like Los Angeles while continuing to debate the construction of just a single rail line.

Joel Tanaka

Aiea

It will be harder to build rail later

If we fail, or do not follow, the original General Plan for Honolulu now, in 10 to 15 years from now the same issue involving rail transit will rise again. It will be harder and more expensive to build the rail.

Had we built the rail 15-20 years ago, we would be enjoying it now. At that time (who remembers?), one member of the City Council by a one-vote majority wrecked the project.

Michael Klimenko

Hawaii Kai

Self-driving cars will outpace rail

The latest estimate for the completion of rail is 2024, eight years from now. That is roughly the time experts predict the self-driving car will become available, presenting Ewa commuters with a dramatic new option.

The self-driving car is as disruptive a technology as the internet or the smart phone. Combined with ride-sharing, it’s a game changer, and the game can change fast. Twelve years ago, Facebook didn’t exist. Neither did streaming video for movies. You had to rent a DVD.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is wagering more than $8 billion on heavy rail, a technology developed during the Victorian era.

A recent story in the Star-Advertiser lists GM, Toyota, Volkswagen and Chrysler-Fiat along with Google and ride-sharing players Uber and Lyft collectively betting billions of their own money on the self-driving car (“With an eye on the future, carmakers ally with tech,” May 26).

Who do you think is most likely to be right?

Richard Tillotson

Punchbowl

Hawaii lucky to have Omori

I have known Dr. Jill Omori for quite a few years (“Jill Omori,” Star-Advertiser, Name in the News, June 3). She is a delightful, upbeat person, a role model, mentor and talented teacher of family medicine, and a true force for primary care in Hawaii.

Hawaii nei is lucky to have such a resource caring for us. Thanks to her and all those who volunteer to provide services to those in such great need. Mahalo nui loa to them all.

John M. Sandor, M.D.

Kaneohe

Lantern floating a true memorial

The Buddhist Shinnyo-en sect did not “take over” any holiday (“Sect took over Memorial Day,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 3). This unjustified criticism comes up often.

The sect expanded Memorial Day to make it the true Memorial Day it was intended to be. It commemorates and honors our ancestors and war heroes with a very moving ritual ceremony.

America celebrates the day with major sales and entertainment events. All about money: commercializing it. Anything but “solemn.”

There is so much that we could learn from other cultures and races if we would just open our ears, eyes and minds.

Bert West

Kalihi

Caldwell can help homeless

It is time for Mayor Kirk Caldwell to open up his personal checkbook and demonstrate his “compassionate disruption” theory.

He should write out a check right now to Gregory House for $335,489 so that those 20 people with HIV/AIDS can continue to live in this home of hope (“Nonprofits seek funding to keep clients housed,” Star-Advertiser, May 16).

I don’t think Caldwell understands how devastating it is to be homeless.

Also, he needs to welcome a homeless family to live in his home. Only then will he truly understand what it is like for many of us local people with our overcrowded homes.

We are faced with a huge crisis that needs to be addressed by the generosity of those blessed with nice housing and deep pockets.

David Cannell

Waipahu

Cancer research saves lives here

Hawaii is so fortunate to have a cancer center we can call our own. When I was a graduate student at the University of Hawaii, I did a rotation there and learned molecular techniques.

The UH Cancer Center is anchored by scientists unlocking the secrets of cancer and molecular biology. Under their guidance, many students have learned and will learn the skills to become scientists and researchers. We can train and keep our best and brightest right here.

Huge progress has been made in the more than 20 years since I was a student there. Progress has come in the form of new therapies and medications, with people living longer than ever.

We still have too many people who leave us too soon because of cancer. I know the scientists will continue their research, but they need our continued support. It may be our own lives their discoveries save one day.

James Ireland

Ewa Beach

Teachers must lead change

Punahou President James K. Scott said that education should be revamped to put children at the center because they must see that learning is relevant to their lives (“New paradigm for education puts children at the center of learning,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 29).

He also says that organizational structures must support this new paradigm. The implications for the state Department of Education are enormous.

The DOE structure is “administratively centered,” not “child centered.” It’s a top-down system that emphasizes control by the superintendent and other top administrators. They manage by mandates to the principals and teachers at the schools.

The result is that school faculty are unable to fully utilize their professional knowledge and understanding of their students to design the educational programs.

The DOE structure must be turned upside-down. The teachers and administrators at the school level must be encouraged to take educational leadership, and those at the top of the organizational chart must support their efforts.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki