I couldn’t help but notice as the summer was coming to an end and people were getting back to routines, the traffic really didn’t get too bad.

As the public schools went back into session, the traffic was not greatly impacted. As the universities started, still no real impact.

However, when the private schools started, traffic came to a screeching halt, primarily before Exit 23 off H-1. These parents who have given up on their area public schools are driving kids in from all over the island, and the majority of the private schools are in the same area — Mary-knoll, Mid-Pacific, Punahou, Chaminade, St. Louis, Iolani, Sacred Hearts, Hawaiian Mission Academy, and more.

Is there any way these schools can stagger start and end times to assist the rest of us from sitting in traffic for hours to get to work? For that matter, let’s encourage businesses to stagger workday times. Simple solutions can go a long way rather than billions spent on a rail to nowhere.

Ivan Hurlburt

Fort Shafter

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Many benefit from aquarium fishing

It’s easy to state your opinion on a matter when you think it doesn’t benefit you. Maybe you should think again.

I am now retired from the aquarium fish industry I started with my cousin almost 50 years ago, in 1970. The story is too long to fit in the restraints of this letter, so I will touch on just one point — the other people who benefit.

There is the student paying for his education by night diving. The old people who supplement their Social Security check by assembling shipping bags. The guy working at the box company where we bought boxes. The taxes, workman’s compensation, medical insurance and other state-mandated costs that help keep the costs down for other small businesses.

The charitable donations, air cargo business — the list goes on.

Happie Chapman

Kealakekua, Hawaii island

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Politicians should join together, too

Everyone knows that disasters bring out the best in us humans.

Hurricane Iniki brought out the aloha spirit, with neighbor helping neighbor. We hear similar stories on the mainland, with the recent devastation from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma bringing people of all races and religions together. 9/11 is another great example of unity after destruction came to our great country.

Why can’t politics take a lesson from what happens during disasters? Instead of both major political parties disagreeing, why can’t they come together for the benefit of America?

Maybe it’s time they realize they are the real disaster, and come together as the American people come together in their time of disasters.

Enough is enough. May God help America.

James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapaa, Kauai

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Obama did little as N. Korea advanced

Your front-page headline on the North Korean threat is alarming (“The blast zone,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 9). Even more sobering is that we are only now testing anti- ballistic defenses that will take years to develop and perfect.

With North Korea’s long-standing intent to develop nuclear ICBMs aimed at the entire U.S., how did President Barack Obama in his eight-year tenure leave this country so vulnerable and unprepared? Certainly, his policy of “strategic patience” with North Korea did not prevent him from strengthening our defenses. So what happened?

Whatever happened, it has not been good for this country’s safety and security.

James Marn

Punchbowl

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Story did nothing but increase anxiety

I am a longtime resident of Maui who recently visited Honolulu for a few days and was struck by Saturday’s front page depicting concentric circles indicating the imagined impact from a nuclear bomb landing in Honolulu (“The blast zone,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 9).

I’m still wondering, days later, what we’re supposed to do with that information. What are teenagers supposed to do? Is everyone supposed to get ready to climb into a hole or swim out to sea? Think more seriously of moving to a different island or farther?

The only thing I see coming from such information is raising the level of what is already a raised sense of low-level anxiety and tension already present in the commons, though not often addressed. In my view, it borders on thoughtlessness and irresponsibility.

Bodhi Be

Haiku, Maui

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Talk won’t prevent missiles from falling

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s recent statement, “The Trump administration would be far more credible in finding a diplomatic solution with North Korea if we weren’t currently waging a regime change war in Syria, and contemplating a regime change war in Iran,” is incredibly wrong-headed at a time when we need to show solidarity.

Diplomatic solutions have been tried over the last 30-plus years when Syria and Iran were not an issue, with little or no result. So why is it President Donald Trump’s fault for our “lack of credibility”?

Instead of engaging in self-promotion by criticizing the president, why doesn’t Gabbard come up with some credible solutions? How does she propose to protect us in Hawaii from that nut job in North Korea? More defensive missile protection systems and a lot more talk, talk, talk?

If a missile comes flying our way, I have zero confidence in our ability to shoot it down.

She wants more “diplomatic solutions”? What solutions and how long would she keep trying? Quit when a missile is in the air?

Gabbard and the rest of the congressional delegation can’t even defend our borders, much less deal with a nut-case in North Korea.

Bert Oshiro

Hawaii Kai