The contra-flow through Nanakuli needs major changes (“Contra-flow eases commute for some,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 12).
When I tried to get to the Kaiser Permanente Nanaikeola Clinic by 3:30 p.m., there was no left turn to the clinic from Waianae side. That is crazy.
Open the emergency route, extended all the way to Nanakuli Avenue, as an express route through Nanakuli.
Some common sense here, please.
Sebastian Lopez
Waianae
Trump’s economic plan promotes U.S. business
In his recent economic speech, Donald Trump proposed renegotiating one-sided trade pacts, including those with China, South Korea, Canada and Mexico (NAFTA), that have sent millions of manufacturing jobs and billions of dollars overseas.
He promotes American business first, as there are increasing numbers of people in poverty, manufacturing jobs are disappearing, the home ownership rate is the lowest in 40 years, 45 million people are on food stamps, and inner cities are crumbling.
He proposes repealing many of the regulations that doctors, accountants or anyone in business would confirm are not beneficial.
He also advocates infrastructure built with American steel, a financial incentive to pay for child care, and vouchers for school choice for every child.
His platform includes repatriating corporate profits and decreasing the corporate tax rate to increase jobs and middle-class pay, but still making the rich pay their fair share.
Gary R. Johnson
Kaneohe
Wealth not always measured by money
On Aug. 7 I attended my cousin Violet Endo’s funeral. The large hall was packed.
Violet was not a politician or a billionaire, but her classmates from McKinley High School, family and work friends all showed up.
In her second career as a Realtor, Violet was known for giving back to her clients, sometimes to the point where she made no money.
She especially loved helping young families.
One day at Ala Moana, a man came up to Violet and said he was hungry. Violet quickly opened her purse and found $20. She told the man to get himself lunch and bring her the change, and he did.
This was typical of Violet’s trust in the goodness of humanity.
Violet would laugh and say, “That’s my problem: My family is too kind. I will never be rich.”
Looking around the room at her services that Sunday, Violet was rich beyond measure.
Chris Nakamatsu
Kailua
Some politicians stand in way of smart ideas
Leave it to Hawaii politicians to screw up a smart idea (“Bill to regulate Uber is passed,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 4).
The Uber decision hurts business, consumers and entrepreneurs.
Uber is an intelligent system developed by smart people to provide the public with safe, cost-effective transportation.
Uber also provides excellent part-time work for stay-at-home moms and for others supplementing their income on their own schedules.
It’s a brilliant win-win for business and consumers.
Then you get politicians, like Ann Kobayashi, who penalize smart ideas instead of encouraging taxi companies to update, improve and get smarter.
John Wong
Aiea
