Hawaii spoiled by development

Zoning prevents further building on the slopes of Diamond Head to preserve the state’s most iconic view. But the need for rail funding gives “flexibility” for variances near proposed stops, so the City Council soon will decide whether we will see a 400-foot tower at Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Drive (“Tower plans advance,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 26).

That’s just two miles from Diamond Head. The crater slopes sharply to its 751-foot top, but the bulk of its profile is right around the 400-foot mark. How will it look and what will it say with a shiny spike right in the middle?

Long after rail goes bankrupt from lack of use, will Hawaii have reminders like this of how developers and politicians sold out its heritage and its beauty?

Dan Binkley

Makiki

Rail costs will rise endlessly

I fully agree with comments from other letter writers on the very controversial rail project. Please stop this huge waste of taxpayers’ hard-earned money at Middle Street.

Of course we’d all love to have the rail going all the way to Ala Moana or even to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and other parts of the island — just like we’d all love to have a huge house in Kahala with a Lexus or Mercedes. Can we really afford it?

We all knew from Day One that we just couldn’t afford rail, unless we sacrifice everything else through higher taxes to pay for this expensive toy.

Have the pro-rail people really thought about the rising costs and who will end up paying for the rail in the years ahead?

Yes, it’s us and our children, by having the politicians raise taxes even higher than now to continue paying for the now out-of-control rail costs — first to finish it, then for maintenance and daily operation.

Ken Kamiuela

Waipahu

Some kids don’t get coddled

It was interesting to see recently two similarly themed articles commenting on the off-to-college experience (“As isle kids head to college, today’s farewells still tough,” Star-Advertiser, Lee Cataluna, Aug. 24; “It’s off to college: time for parents to ground their helicopters,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 27).

Doubtless the trepidation-tinted transition described by both writers resonates with many island families. But there are other families whose offspring will not be ushered gently into a privileged future via a soft transition abetted by doting, protective parents and supporters.

These young adults will alight unaccompanied, quite possibly in the middle of the night, from a government bus to make an immediate up-close and personal acquaintance with, not a new roommate, but rather a barking, menacing stranger in the distinctive garb of a military drill instructor.

Certainly the families of the college-bound are entitled to their angst, and maybe even the attention of the rest of us.

However, no one should confuse the sacrifice and stakes inherent in the distinctly different realities of the dorm room and barracks occupants.

Doug Lamerson

Manoa

Motorcycle rider saved the day

There are many good people in this world who go the extra mile. I witnessed such a person when he saw a small box fall off my bumper.

He was riding a motorcycle when he saw the box fall off. He put it inside my truck bed and waved goodbye.

It was a very wonderful thing he did, for the box had very important papers inside.

The light turned green and we had to move on and I didn’t even get his name, but he is one of many good people I have met.

Jack Schweigert

Downtown Honolulu

Trump’s hatred is well-placed

Kathy Phillips accuses Donald Trump of “fomenting hatred” (“Trump dangerous, not entertaining,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 30). Unlike those who similarly condemn Trump, I have actually listened to the man speak.

The hatred he has fomented is hatred of criminals, terrorists, corrupt politicians, unnecessary wars, wasteful and bloated government, sanctuary cities, trade deals that cheat the U.S., and ignoring the needs of our veterans.

His ire is justified and should not be conflated with bigotry. Trump is a proud American who has not been bought off by special interests and is campaigning for a better America.

Rhoads Stevens

Hawaii Kai

IUCN helped save sea turtle

The Hawaiian green sea turtle’s amazing restoration to abundance from near extinction 45 years ago is one of the greatest marine conservation success stories of all time. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) played a significant historical role in making this happen.

We send thanks and aloha to IUCN and all its visiting members for a safe and productive World Conservation Congress.

George Balazs and Thierry Work

Co-chairs, Oceania Region

IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group

Unions can’t claim surplus

Wow. The headline reads, “State ends fiscal year with record $1 billion surplus” (Star-Advertiser, Aug. 24).

Great. Perhaps now we can earmark the surplus for unfunded liabilities like retirement and medical benefits for present government employees.

But wait: The state has contract negotiations pending with government employees, and big pay raises for government workers are “a given.”

Really?

Why should a cash balance in the state budget have anything to do with pay raises for government employees?

It would seem prudent instead to fund the unfunded liabilities.

Fred Fogel

Volcano

Kaepernick lacks experience

Colin Kaepernick’s demonstration on the field in protest of an unjust America reveals a very American liberty (“Kaepernick will continue to sit through anthem,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 29).

One could argue that such liberty is limited to a handful of countries around the world. I suspect that this tremendously talented 28-year- old has a slightly light travel bag of international experience upon which to reflect, compare and contrast during thoughtful introspection before judging America lacking and publicly snubbing the national anthem.

In our history, the liberty he rightly invokes has been difficult to secure and costly to maintain. The blessings that we all enjoy as Americans — particularly those of us who have unimaginable wealth and financial independence — underscore our motivation to express a modicum of humility and rise in respect to the anthem of our country.

Its stated meaning honors the countless real heroes whom Kaepernick and most of us have never met and scarcely know.

John Hansen

Waipahu