Maui Memorial was a lifesaver
I was visiting Maui in November 2015 when I was diagnosed with a virus, which was complicated with double pneumonia.
I spent two weeks on oxygen at Maui Memorial Medical Center. I thought I would die. The doctors saved my life and the hospital staff nursed me back to health.
I was in no shape to travel anywhere.
It would be a travesty if Maui Memorial had to close or reduce services to the community. Hawaii policymakers should do everything they can to ensure that Maui Memorial can continue to provide health care to the Maui community.
In my case, it was a matter of life or death.
Mal Chernow
Fredericksburg, Va.
Bonds for rail require income
Columnist Richard Borreca’s idea to finance rail through long-term bonds is one that the city has considered, but there are requirements that are not yet in place (“Why not use bonds to fund construction of rail project,” On Politics, Sept. 6).
In order to float long-term bonds for rail, the city would need revenue to repay the bonds, and we are currently limited to two government sources: the general excise tax (GET) surcharge or the $1.55 billion from the Federal Transit Administration.
We will need $8.1 billion to finish rail to Ala Moana, and we currently have about $6.8 billion. We agree that spreading the payment for rail over generations is a fair proposition that should be considered by the policymakers, the City Council and the state Legislature, but it needs a qualified revenue source over the long term.
An extension of the GET surcharge, at least over the time period to repay the bond debt, qualifies as such a source.
Nelson H. Koyanagi Jr.
Director, Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
Climate change is issue for youth
Last week two hurricanes brushed by, barely missing us.
In the past, such weather events were rare. Today it happens with regularity. We blame El Nino or El Nina but we know climate change has something to do with it.
Doubters say it’s a hoax, but climatologists agree greenhouse gas emissions influence our climate and a few degrees’ change in Earth’s ambient temperature will melt the ice caps. That would raise the oceans and flood the low lands around the world, including most of Oahu.
We can’t stop climate change, but we can slow the rate of change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions, which would give us more time to prepare for the eventual deluge.
Younger voters should get involved and prevent the older generation from gambling with their future. It’s theirs to lose.
Bill Coelho
Makawao
New workers will lack housing
I read that there is a shortage of construction workers, and increased immigration is discussed (“Firms short of skilled builders,” Sept. 6).
When all the requirements and paperwork are fulfilled, where are all these new workers going to live?
Planning seems to be predicated on the assumption that the habitable part of this island is made of Silly Putty: The more you pile on it, the more it is expected to expand outward.
The reality is that the Ala Wai Canal did overflow in 1992, during Hurricane Iniki, and that is the future of waterfront lands.
Beverly Kai
Kakaako
Carbon pricing is the way to go
The 2016 World Conservation Congress is positive progress toward the U.S. becoming more environmentally aware. However, in discussing these issues, we still neglect the subject of carbon pricing.
Carbon pricing is the most important way to lower carbon dioxide emissions and lift the burden off individuals to be more environmentally conscious.
For example, if one company decided to stop using fossil fuels, it would have a less expensive product than a company still using fossil fuels. People would naturally buy the least expensive products and therefore reinforce the demand for renewable energy and discourage companies from using fossil fuels.
Economically, it would allow our resources to shift to more promising industries. Environmentally, it would reduce CO2 emissions. How? By internalizing the cost of burning fossil fuels.
A dividend would be returned to all households so they wouldn’t absorb the responsibility of the polluters while creating millions of jobs through people recycling the revenue.
Lilly Iijima
Waikiki
32 responses to “Maui Memorial was a lifesaver”
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Yes, Nelson H. Koyanagi Jr., Director, Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services why not reach into the taxpayers pocket one more time. Oh no! It’s already been emptied by the State and the City of Honolulu.
IRT Nelson H. Koyanagi Jr: Nelson, so glad you’ve decided how to spend everyone else’s money, but you’ve missed the one option that actually helps everyone not directly tied to rail. STOP BUILDING NOW. Rail is about theft, plain and simple. There are no reports anywhere that show rail will do a thing to improve traffic. This has always been about theft.
He’s just gently preparing us all before the massive A*S-S~F * * K
They’ve probably already, in secret, agreed to extend the GET into perpetuity
IRT Nelson H. Koyanagi Jr: Nelson, so glad you’ve decided how to spend everyone else’s money, but you’ve missed the one option that actually helps everyone not directly tied to rail. STOP BUILDING NOW. Rail is about theft, plain and simple. There are no reports anywhere that show rail will do a thing to improve traffic. This has always been about theft.
Despite what Nelson has told everyone, rail is about theft, as can be seen by his willingness to offer a solution that continues to take money from taxpayers. What we need is to stop rail now. Stop supplying that cool pool into whose waters, the very few continue to dip their beaks.
Absolutely right. The true beneficiaries of the rail project live in East and Windward Oahu. This rail project is financing their homes, children’s private school education, lengthy foreign vacations, early retirements, and funds for their children’s homes (in East and Windward Oahu).
Nelson Koyanagi is way of base. Does anyone honestly believe rail can be built to Ala Moana at 8.1 billion? That would mean no more cost overruns, change orders or “unforeseen” problems.
Don’t buy anymore magic beans.
That’s actually the best way to finance costs.
We export a significant portion of the cost to tourists. Tourists pay the tax through their purchases.
We have 5 to 6 times the number of tourists as the local population. And tourism is still growing at a good clip.
Outsiders pay 14%. No more but could be even less than that!
It was actually figured out to be about 12% that the tourists contribute.
You have bogus members.
The real figure is about 1/3 but it could be as high as 50% of the tax is exported when you consider the large Military personnel spending in Hawaii.
wiliki, prove it. Give us a link.
My bad, the number comes out closer to 17%.
The 33% number is based on expenditures state wide, but since only Oahu has the surcharge, it should only be based on Oahu expenditures which comes out to roughly 17%.
I have a question I hope someone will answer. How much has been spent on rail so far????
If I recall correctly (I can “recall” where as Clinton “can’t recall”.), rail would cost approx. $3.1 billion to UH when it was being pushed by Moooofeeee. Then, is was $5.9 billion to Ala Moana. Now, they need $8.1 billion to finish to Ala Moana. And, if you believe the C&C has about $6.8 billion now, I have a bridge I need to sell. So, a wag on an approximate cost from Kapolei to Ala Moana would be the amount spent to date, plus $8.1 billion (ESTIMATE) to get to Ala Moana would be somewhere in the range of $12-16 billion.
No one wants to give that answer because your estimate is probably right on. If it were noted that only $3 billion was spent to date and $5 billion + is left, it would certainly change the conversation. But it would also turn the entire public against rail. Ala Moana is impossible with the electrical lines, huge water line, and other observable hurdles. They will just keep building and taxing without any real understanding of the entire project and how it will navigate the burdensome downtown. Hoopili should not be allowed to continue based upon the need for rail, it handcuffs us to a cement block as we’re trying to tread water.
It was reported, as of may 6, 2016 the GET surcharge has collected approximately $1.7 billion dollars. May 6th, 2016 http://www.staradvertiser.com/breaking-news/fluctuations-in-rail-revenues-continue. Hope that answers part of your question.
RE: Lilly Iijima. Your assumption is that getting off fossil fuels will result in lower costs for a company so consumers would buy that cheaper product. The problem is that renewable energy does not necessarily lower energy costs (who pays to get that renewable energy?). Remember that candidate Obama said “under my plan of a cap and trade system electricity rates would sky rocket.”
ukukleleblue and wiliki are lying rail shills.
Free preschool for needy kids.
Put parents who are making needy kids on rail tracks.
The kids don’t have a choice of their parents.
Schools just need to be accountable and educate these kids DESPITE their parents,
Free shelter for needy kids getting perved on by weewili the pedo!
Why stop there. Free lunch, free homes, free cars, free gas, free education, free clothes, free vacations, etc.etc.etc. Make everything free and do not require anyone to work.
You’re a Kool-Aid drinker wiliki. Everyone knows that.
“An extension of the GET surcharge, at least over the time period to repay the bond debt, qualifies as such a source.”>>> And here’s the formula. 1 month extension for every 10k you exact from each and every council member/ex council member who had a hand in this fiasco.
Speaking of money… Colorado is raking in TAX money hand over fist with it’s marijuana. “Gardening suppliers” are busy, and there is no available warehouse space in the entire Denver area as growers seek places to plant their crops. Hint, hint, Hawaii. LOL LOL LOL
We’re making money from medicinal marijuana.
Wake up Fool. We make NO money on medical MJ. We don’t even have any fplaces to buy it yet, after we voted 16 years ago for it. Colorado its legal for anyone to buy. Hawaii is living in the Stone Age. I mean who is building an 18th century steel rail system today ? NO ONE
It takes time until recreational use becomes leagal here. Until then medicinal use will still bring in a lot of money. Why so impatient?
WE are???
Are WE?????
No, not a good idea!
Just a reminder to you “democrats” what a corrupt grifter you’re trying to put into the highest office:
“Charity Navigator, the Yelp of non-profits, doesn’t bother to issue a rating for the Clinton foundation due to the pathetically low portion of money ($9 million out of $140 million in 2013) that makes its way to someone who needs it.”