Bike-share can be commuting bargain

In Saturday’s Off The News section, the new BikeShare program, which would cost $3.50 for each 30-minute segment, was criticized as too expensive an option for the casual bicyclist (“A 30-minute bike ride for $3.50?” Star-Advertiser, March 4).

Sure. This pricing model would appeal only to a limited occasional rider population, and to tourists, so the program might not be sustainable.

So let’s think bigger than this. Instead of thinking of this as a casual-rider program, how about broadening the scope to a daily commuting option for those living and working within the Diamond Head to Downtown area?

For only $15 a month, you can purchase a pass for unlimited 30 minute segments; this would be a pretty inexpensive way to traverse this area on a daily basis.

Let’s start changing Honolulu from the congested driving nightmare it is, into the friendly livable city it could be.

Let’s bike!

Jeanne Martin-Hopkins

Waikiki

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Fix the roadways, especially in Manoa

The city’s priorities are misdirected. Bike lanes can wait; fix the roads.

I’d concentrate on one area — Manoa — but the problem is statewide. University Avenue fronting the University of Hawaii always has two to five potholes. The intersection light at lower Manoa Road and University Avenue is like driving over rocks all the way to Manoa Marketplace while dodging potholes.

Upper Manoa Road at the five-way intersection to Punahou School is almost undriveable, due to potholes.

This is a safety problem. Drivers are moving out of their lanes to miss large potholes. Fix our roads before someone gets hurt.

Kenneth Taylor

Manoa

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Telescope supporters ignore consequences

The Star-Advertiser has again demonstrated why those opposing construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope are right in their opposition.

In its Off the News item, “A contentious TMT hearing nears its end” (Star-Advertiser, March 1), the editors essentially say again, as they have in the past, that now that all those opposed have had a chance to feel heard, let’s hope the TMT can finally proceed, regardless of their desires for the future of the mountain.

There appears to be absolutely no impetus by the scientific and economically concerned segments of our community to keep Mauna Kea from becoming another one of Hawaii’s cities. And if you don’t believe this is plausible, just look at the small city that’s developed around the telescopes atop Haleakala.

There will be no end to scientists building projects on the mountain. Someone’s got to draw the line if there’s going to be any natural Mauna Kea left.

Mathew Johnson

Moiliili

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Challenge to Trump may draw tourists

Hawaii’s legal attack on President Donald Trump’s travel bans is not only the right thing to do, but may also be good business.

Many foreigners are dropping plans to visit the U.S.,. but Hawaii makes it clear that the spirit of aloha trumps Trump here in paradise.

Walter Wright

Kaneohe