Fuchigami deserves praise, not criticism

As airport concessionaires, we have been delighted to see the dismal state of Hawaii’s airports become the focus of public discourse. How disappointing that the Star-Advertiser missed the mark so completely in its editorial, “DOT disregards its duty to public” (Our View, April 21).

The Star-Advertiser blames state Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami for failing to fix a failed bureaucracy, when it should be lauding him for having both the fortitude to publicly acknowledge the systemic faults that have created this mess, and the leadership to push for appropriate reforms.

Many of us have run airport concessions for years, which means for years we have been frustrated witnesses to the inefficiencies that plague the airports system. Fuchigami is the first director we have seen to force those inefficiencies into the glare of public conversation.

We support the proposed airport authority as a method to remove systemic burdens known to cause delays, foremost among them a procurement process that almost guarantees delay and cost overruns, and administrative oversight that is interrupted by changes in appointed leadership.

Peter Fithian

Airport Concessionaires Committee

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Airport authority would be next HART

Based on the way that the state Department of Transportation has mishandled the hangar project, a new airports authority will become the state’s version of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.

Duplication, waste, politics and secrecy, as well as poor decisions, design, workmanship and oversight — all costing us taxpayers a lot of money.

Gordon Banner

Kalihi

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‘Vast majority’ doesn’t support rail

Commenting on the Hawaii Poll survey finding that 64 percent of the respondents support building rail to Ala Moana Center, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said: “The vast majority of the people of this island … support building rail all the way to Ala Moana” (“Finish rail but don’t tax more,” Star-Advertiser, April 16).

Sixty-four percent does not a “vast majority” make. Moreover, of those who said they thought rail should be built to Ala Moana Center, a follow-up question should have been asked: “Would you support rail to Ala Moana Center if it meant increasing taxes over a prolonged period or to perpetuity?”

One-third of those polled do not want rail to go to Ala Moana. If even half of the 64 percent who said they want it to go to Ala Moana would be opposed if taxes were increased, the total of this 32 percent, plus 10 percent (“stop at Middle Street”) and 25 percent (“stop rail immediately”) would be 67 percent — a “vast majority” who oppose rail being built to Ala Moana Center.

Chalsa M. Loo

Waikiki

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Tokuda right about rail system financing

I have never voted for any Democrat since the President John F. Kennedy era, when the Democratic Party was not infiltrated with today’s liberalism.

With that said, I support Democratic state Sen. Jill Tokuda in her handling of our taxpayers’ dollars to fund the overpriced rail system (“Sen. Tokuda could face ouster over rail project,” Star-Advertiser, April 22).

Her other Democratic colleagues are disappointed that she has not released more funds. These are probably the same Democratic politicians who have mismanaged our tax dollars for years, yet are re-elected each election year.

Tokuda should stick to her guns and not give in. The majority of the overtaxed citizens of this state support her stand.

Melvin Partido Sr.

Pearl City

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Like other cities, Honolulu needs rail

I can’t believe the small thinking of our ex-governor and others who fail to see the need for mass transit in Honolulu. Why are they objecting to it? Imagine New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco without it. How about Paris without the Metro or London without the Tube? What a disaster that would be.

Honolulu needs the rail. Future generations will be thankful that we had the foresight to implement mass transit. Besides, it’s free money from the feds. Our one-half percent is a tax well-invested.

Honolulu can’t handle more cars and buying real estate for highways is far more expensive than building rail. All great cities have mass transit. Quit the Third World thinking and be part of a great city plan. Don’t sabotage it. Admit it, Honolulu needs rail.

Bill Coelho

Pukalani, Maui

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Nuclear threat comes from Kim Jong Un

In her letter (“Trump leading U.S. to nuclear war,” Star-Advertiser, April 21), Anne Wheelock implored us “to send a clear message to our county, state and federal government officials that this is unacceptable and we will not stand for it.”

Perhaps she should add North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the mailing list, since he is the one who threatens us with nuclear annihilation. We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

Ms. Wheelock, sleep soundly.

Richard T. Porter

Ewa Beach

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Retired elderly can’t afford tax increases

I am a 78-year-old man with a fixed income. I do not get a raise or bonus annually. Both my wife and I are retired. All of my retirement and Social Security go to our bills, and my wife’s Social Security goes for our food (about $400 monthly).

If our mortgage goes up (homeowner insurance) and property tax (which already went up), plus the gasoline tax, general excise tax and every other tax, we may become homeless. If we sell our house, that will be taxed, too.

I suggest all the politicians in office pay 10 percent of their annual gross income to pay for all the taxes every year, and see how we old folks feel.

Kenneth Iinuma

Pearl City