Don’t build housing over agricultural lands

Shall we continue urban sprawl onto land once used for agriculture? Or shall we keep the country country? Two proposals show where Oahu is going.

Haseko plans to develop 211 acres of former sugar-cane fields in Central Oahu (“Haseko plans 1,850 new homes at Royal Kunia in Central Oahu,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26).

In addition, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to develop 168 acres of former sugar- cane fields on the Ewa Plain (“State plans $1.8 billion housing and commercial development for East Kapolei,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 26).

Those who consider themselves to be environmentalists should object to both projects because of their harmful environmental impacts.

Those who support agricultural sustainability also should object because both projects remove agricultural land.

Those who are caught in rush hour from Central and West Oahu should object because both projects will make traffic even worse.

Both projects include a small amount of affordable housing, but not nearly enough to make a difference. Both should be rejected.

John Kawamoto

Kaimuki

Offer visitors incentives to wear free masks

Problem: Visitors not wearing masks.

Solution: Simple and friendly mask distribution, education and incentives. Everyone knows about the flyers they give away in Waikiki for coupons and shopping. Why not locally made masks? It’s a good idea that goes beyond just giving away masks in Waikiki.

The city, state and hotel industry should partner in giving masks to visitors. The masks would have the city and county or state seal on them and when visitors shop at ABC Stores, restaurants or other stores wearing the mask, they receive a 5% discount, prize or other reward for spending their money in the store or restaurant.

This is a great incentive and the visitors would also have a keepsake from Hawaii. It would be much better PR than a citation.

Stan Johnston

Waialae-Kahala

Harris could take over a Biden administration

People have a short memory. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ debate performance in June of last year peaked at 19% voter support. Five months later, she dropped out of the presidential race after polling in the single digits. She trailed U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (23%), former Vice President Joe Biden (22%) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (21%).

Given Biden’s questionable cognitive health, if you vote for him, you’re really getting backseat-driver Harris. When she participated recently in a virtual roundtable discussion with small business owners in Arizona just last month, she referred to the “Harris administration.” She didn’t say it once. She said it twice. I predict a power struggle between Biden and Harris.

At least with President Donald Trump you know what you’re getting: an arrogant, abrasive, quick-tongued, uncouth-at-times, but swift-acting businessman who speaks his mind and who runs this country like a business and not as a career politician would.

He’s not running for a popularity or personality contest. He’s running for results. He’s got my vote.

Lisa Adlong

Hauula

Gun-carry permits for women, senior men

I concur with Brian Isaacson’s suggestion to register firearms electronically (“Electronic registration for firearms owners,” Star Advertiser, Oct. 26). For accuracy and completeness, I also suggest the registration be accomplished by legal sellers of firearms. This would reduce potentials for graft and lying.

Further, I suggest the same registration form include a permit for open or concealed carry of small-caliber firearms for women of all ages and seniors over 65 years old for self-defense and protection of family and property. Validation of the firearm and the applicant can easily be done by the retailer.

Open and concealed carry can deter attacks on all women and senior men if enough of such people would retaliate against perpetrators. Small-caliber weapons normally do not kill people. Wounded perps can be captured at hospitals and critical-care facilities.

Russel Noguchi

Pearl City

Rail transit necessary for West Oahu buildout

Since the 1970s, the state of Hawaii has supported a master plan to target future population growth for West Oahu.

A fixed-guideway rail system has been an important piece of the plan.

Fast forward to 2020, with rail project construction at Middle Street and the prospect of opening the rail line in 2021 from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium.

There is now so much talk about stopping construction at Middle Street or Chinatown.

Why stop the rail short of its potential to seamlessly connect West Oahu to Downtown Honolulu? Why stunt the growth of the Ewa district?

The plan to build out West Oahu has the potential to provide for low-income housing and industrial growth, and allow Ewa district workers to more easily transit to jobs in town.

Let’s finish the job that we started by ending the rail line with a terminal at Ala Moana Center.

Stuart Shimazu

Kapahulu

Berlin’s troubled airport cautionary tale for HART

The New York Times ran a story about Berlin’s new airport, about to open after six false starts. Its history eerily resembles Honolulu’s rail.

In Berlin, construction has taken 14 years. It’s nine years late and more than $4 billion over budget.

There were engineering blunders, scandals, lawsuits, incorrectly installed cables, short escalators, the need to replace screens that have reached the end of their lives, 1990s-looking decor.

Self check-in and cellphone charging stations, which didn’t exist when plans were drawn, were added. What was modern when conceived is woefully outdated today.

Honolulu’s rail has a $1 billion hole, the public-private partnership is gasping for air, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation may be without an executive director come January, federal funds may lapse.

What else could go wrong? The possibilities are endless.

Lynne Matusow

Chinatown

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