Society needs to stop coddling DUI drivers

Regarding the article about alcohol-monitoring devices (“Proposal to tighten DUI rules criticized,” Star-Advertiser, April 4): I say the more ways we can control drunken driving — and the many resultant deaths on our roads — the better.

Let’s not continue to coddle especially those who are repeat offenders.

My husband was in a bad drunken driving accident in 2010. He was hit head-on by a drunk driver on the North Shore; he almost lost his foot and has never been the same. The drunk driver fled the state and has not ever been caught.

We need to get serious about making our roads safe for all and House Bill 306, requiring alcohol-detecting ankle bracelets, sounds like a good solution.

Christa Leigh

Pupukea

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Powers-that-be must stand up to Trump

I can’t believe how the majority of congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump’s supporters can stomach his outrageous lies and false accusations.

They continue to support him regardless of his inflammatory comments and statements. The president is the “enemy of the people,” not the media.

His proposed budget slashes needed funds for many poor and elderly citizens, and departments and agencies like the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.

It makes our country less safe from terrorists.

When will the people in power have the guts to tell Trump (not my president) to his face to stop his prolific lying and tweeting?

Howard Char

Kaneohe

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Fund other needs, not rail boondoggle

This small state cannot address the problems of homelessness, exorbitant cost of living, traffic, affordable housing and potholed highways without solving the Oahu rail transit impasse.

The rail project’s expenditures are out of control, and the state should not raise the revenues for completion by imposing more regressive taxes. The needs of people must come first.

The people are creative; they meet their financial shortfalls with multigenerations in one household, turning part of their properties into short- or long-term rentals, and accepting a lower standard of living. They deserve officeholders who vow to tighten the belt on optional spending, chief among which is the rail project.

Stop it right where it is until money is obtained from other sources. Use express buses to Ala Moana from the termination site.

If possible, change the rail bed into a highway to alleviate traffic, until the money is obtained. Focus on repairing the roads.

Jean Rosenfeld

Downtown Honolulu

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Tax, fee increases will hurt poor folks

In March, Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled a slate of measures to raise taxes and fees. He’s probably not revealing the increases that are actually required, just as he didn’t tell the true costs of the rail transit system.

People don’t seem to realize that every time we build new infrastructure, the costs of maintaining that infrastructure drive up our expenses permanently. Rail, new city departments, new streetlights, etc., all drive up our costs.

Infrastructure projects, even if federal dollars pay for them, give us a one-time high (short-term jobs) and a long, long-time low (permanent increases in taxes and fees).

If we don’t need it, we shouldn’t build it, unless we’re happy to pay more taxes and fees. Like rail, these increases will hurt lower-income people more than the rich.

Mathew Johnson

Moiliili

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New stadium would make new memories

Over 42 years, the Aloha Stadium — an orange, blue, red, yellow beauty — slowly integrated itself as a part of our families with cheering fans and vendors, and became a home that welcomed every athlete, student or performer on the field. As the stadium crumbles and rusts, the legacy of the aloha spirit and community that the stadium brought together will fall with it.

But just like a cherished childhood toy, eventually one must think, it is time to move forward. To best serve the people of Hawaii, it is important to recognize the cost of building the new facility but also the opportunity cost if it is not.

A new facility is necessary to save millions of dollars in the long run from “basic health and safety repairs,” and for future generations to enjoy its comfort and love, so our children can create just as fond memories at the new stadium.

Aimee Gaza

Mililani

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Military funding is at programs’ expense

Since increased military spending is generally good for Hawaii, I don’t know whether I trust our four members of Congress to thoroughly analyze President Donald Trump’s proposed increase in military spending.

Some of the pertinent facts are that the USA has more planes and jet fighters than any other country, more nuclear-powered and -armed submarines than any other country. We also have more aircraft carriers and more foreign bases than all other countries combined.

So, where is the depletion Trump always talks about? We have the largest, most globally dispersed military of any empire in history.

I hope our representatives can fairly balance the marginal economic good of the state and the greater good of the nation that needs health care, education and infrastructure.

Richard Manetta

Wilhelmina Rise