What is the purpose of a high-speed rail system if it’s not to get you from point A to point B fast? If I live in Kapolei and work in town, isn’t it reasonable to assume that I will get there faster if there are seven or eight fewer stops on the way?

There are multiple stops in Kapolei, Leeward, Kalihi, Chinatown, Kakaako and Ala Moana Shopping Center that can be eliminated without hurting the integrity of the rail service. Let’s have developers and landowners who stand to gain the most from having a nearby station help pay for building them.

Raise property taxes in the vicinity of the stations, sell rights to naming the stations, sell advertising in the stations and on the trains. The goal is not to build the entire 20 miles and 21 stations. The goal is to have an efficiently functioning rail transportation system.

Stuart Shimazu

Kaimuki

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Cutting domestic program will hurt

What an absurd and damaging policy proposal (“Trump to call for deep domestic cuts,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 27).

Cutting benefits for the poorest and weakest Americans does nothing to strengthen the fabric of our country. We cannot “defend” ourselves militarily out of the internal divisiveness that is sapping our unity and, thereby, our strength.

President Donald Trump’s thinking is always in terms of enemies, whether it’s Americans against other Americans or the United States against other nations. But he is the one creating enemies with that thinking.

Building walls seems to be Trump’s answer to everything. Build enough of them and soon we will become less connected to the world and each other. There is no security in that, only a self-fulfilling prophecy of conflict. It’s like punching someone in the nose and then blaming them for fighting back.

Stuart Allan

Waikiki

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Allow HPD officers to show their tattoos

In the article on retired Police Chief Louis Kealoha (“HPD chief’s departure is darkened by troubles,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 28), it said that he and SHOPO (State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers) butted heads over his unpopular decision to require all officers to cover up exposed tattoos.

While Kealoha was popular both prior to his appointment as chief and for a time afterwards, this decision requiring the cover up of tattoos was a poor one that did not take into account the local tattoo custom and hot weather.

Now is the moment to rescind this requirement and allow HPD officers to remain comfortable while living the Hawaiian life style.

Janet Dagan

Makiki

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Youth should take care in digital age

The news that three youth were held accountable for their social media threats toward Kalaheo High School is a good reminder that even online, words of violence have consequences (“Online threats to school result in arrest of 3 boys,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 24).

Donalyn Dela Cruz , spokesperson for the state Department of Education, was spot-on when she said that “what you do on social media today is part of your digital footprint.”

This sobering lesson is important for all to embrace, especially those who are growing up in the digital age.

Bonnie Oda

Makiki