Letters: Rail project ineptitude means Middle Street end; Trump should work to heal divided country; The downsides of distance learning

Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s recent disclosure of increased cost and delays reflects further chaos in the rail project (“Another 8 years and $1B,” Star- Advertiser, Nov. 18). The extended timeline and exponential expense are exasperating.

The federal funding projected for completion to Ala Moana Center is insignificant compared to Hawaii’s economy crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The financial projection prompts a question. Can we rely on ridership to ever sustain operational costs? For a taxpayer left holding the bag for the city and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, this ineptness is unacceptable.

End rail at the Middle Street Transit Center.

Les Nakasone

Niu Valley

Strong message needed to promote masks

So many letters about wearing masks! I heard Lt. Gov. Josh Green say something about three months ago that I think answers the situation. Talking about people who don’t wear masks, he said, “If you don’t like wearing a mask, try wearing a ventilator.”

That should be our new state motto, made into signs displayed everywhere.

Rianna Williams

Kahala

Candidate information should come with ballot

As a new resident and voter in Hawaii, I was in shock at how hard it was to find candidate information for elections in Hawaii. I went on a scavenger hunt to each person’s website to learn their platform, and fortunately found at the library a newspaper with interviews that helped me make a few of my decisions.

Doesn’t Hawaii want an informed electorate? Do they expect all voters to have the internet, or be tech savvy? Where I previously voted, a sample ballot was mailed to all voters with nonpartisan analysis of any initiatives on the ballot and candidate statements.

The state Office of Elections should do something similar and make it easy, not hard, for voters to be informed.

Siobhan Guerra

Kailua

Trump should work to heal divided country

Here is my Thanksgiving wish for Donald Trump.

First, that he somehow finds the courage to accept defeat, and that he has the grace and dignity to allow our country to move forward together and not backward and divided.

That he feels gratitude for having the opportunity to serve as the 45th president of the greatest nation in the world. And to be thankful that the best science and medicine on the planet saved his life when he contracted COVID-19.

That he finds true forgiveness in his heart for all of the people he feels has betrayed him, but most of all that he forgives himself for failing to win reelection.

Finally, that he puts compassion in action during the final two months of his term to heal a country that desperately needs a leader who can work together with the new president-elect and incoming administration to defeat the coronavirus.

Let’s all try to remember to choose love, kindness and faith this Thanksgiving.

Matt Nakamura

Kalama Valley

Paula Fuga’s message an inspiration to all

Mahalo to Paula Fuga! She doesn’t need to sing to be an inspiration to us all (“Radio deejays apologize for mocking singer Paula Fuga during on-air fundraiser for Hawaii Foodbank,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 19). I have just donated to the Hawaii Foodbank in her honor. The message of her actions speaks louder than a song.

Christine C. Chow

Makiki

MA‘O farm leads way for better farming

Words cannot fully express my delight at learning in your paper of the new funding and proposed expansion of Waianae’s MA‘O Organic Farms (“Waianae farm embarks on ‘a future of plenty’,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 16). I appreciate your extended article also.

I often bought their products at a farmers market when I lived in the Leeward area and found the young “work/study” people at the produce stand to be encouraging examples of today’s youth.

There is much to like about this enterprise, especially in our current food and economic situation based only in part on the pandemic. More local agriculture, more jobs, increased training and academic opportunities for youth, are all needed.

It is especially gratifying that this successful organization is accessible to people in an area with too few resources and too many families who are struggling. Good ideas are wonderful but it is essential that they be implemented by competency and good planning. This is an organization not only to praise but to learn from.

Linda Muralidharan

Aiea

The downsides of distance learning

Online school sucks. Many students during the pandemic struggle because distance learning comes with many hardships. Although it is safer and it has its benefits, I find myself and others suffering because of the many disadvantages.

It becomes more difficult to stay engaged and keep up with the growing number of assignments given. Online school is safer, but at what cost?

Licia Pham

Kaimuki

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