Nathanial Kinney and Gino Soquena criticized condo residents opposing the Ala Moana Plaza project for being more concerned with obstructed views than affordable housing (“Don’t let privileged minority stop rental housing and jobs,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Dec. 1).

The need for more affordable housing is not disputed. The concern is with setting a precedent by allowing an exemption to the 100-foot height limit and its effect on future development in the Kakaako-Ala Moana area. This area is already too dense and overdeveloped.

The following need to be thoroughly assessed before more such structures are allowed: effects on existing infrastructure; schools in the area; emergency services; hospitals; traffic congestion; and sea-level rise.

There should be more input about the long-term vision for this urban area and its community. According to a recent Big Q survey, a majority preferred to keep towers at or lower than current heights and densities. The City Council and developers should take heed.

Valerie Umeda

Kakaako

Workers, children bear brunt of budget cuts

I am a public elementary school teacher and my husband is a state worker. I am wondering why it appears that only state workers are bailing Hawaii out during this economic crisis?

Shouldn’t everyone in the state be part of the solution? Instead of negatively affecting the lives of Hawaii students by cutting teacher pay and furloughing, can’t we raise state taxes? Why is the pay of hard-working state workers, who do everything from cleaning toilets to mowing lawns, being docked? How are we supposed to afford to live here?

Why are children being asked to sacrifice when the situation we find ourselves in is beyond their control? Everyone needs to help bail Hawaii out of the current challenge we face. This should not be on the backs of Hawaii state workers.

Rosemary Cabral

Kailua

Congress can’t ignore that Biden won election

It is any wonder why Cam Cavasso has never been elected to major political office? Denying the clear evidence that Joe Biden soundly defeated Donald Trump in a clean election devoid of any Trump-concocted claims of fraud, Cavasso appears to cling to the utterly false hope that the people’s decision will be miraculously ignored by a partisan Congress (“Electoral College challenges possible,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 13).

It is not only wishful thinking, but dangerous to the very basic concept of democracy to urge that the clear will of the electorate should be rejected by a partisan Congress.

The election is over. The people have spoken. Both Republicans and Democrats have won, except for one disgruntled, poor-loser delusional president.

Get over it. Support the transfer of power to the new leadership so it can deal with the problems that Trump created and left behind. Respect the voters. You might get elected if you do.

Francis M. Nakamoto

Moanalua Valley

Biden prepares to take serious action on virus

During the transition, President-elect Joe Biden is planning to mitigate COVID-19 by prioritizing expertise in science, medicine and government, instead of recklessly politicizing mask-wearing and other matters, thereby neglecting the deadly pandemic and public health.

Biden is taking serious action, in contrast to the childish tantrums of loser Donald Trump, his delusional legal circus, and his dangerous undermining of democracy.

Biden doesn’t waste hours watching political propaganda on television, tweeting falsehoods and golfing on weekends. Biden is realistic about the presidency and public health.

While Trump deserves credit for facilitating vaccine development, far more credit goes to the scientists who developed it and volunteers who tested it.

If the pandemic had been taken seriously and prioritized at the outset, then the number of infections and deaths as well as the emotional stress and economic hardships suffered by so many would have been substantially reduced. Trump deserves credit accordingly.

Leslie E. Sponsel

Hawaii Kai

Runners need to take more safety precautions

Sorry, runners need to be called out.

Thanks to Sue Kachiroubas for drawing attention to the maskless runners on the narrow sidewalks of Kapiolani Park almost touching you as they zip by, instead of making a wide detour onto the grassy area (“Kapiolani Park runners pass close with no masks,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 12).

Another concern is about runners on Diamond Head Road and Kahala Avenue who are still on the road after the sun goes down. This time of year dusk comes fast, and it’s dark when they are still finishing their runs. We can’t see them if they wear dark clothes or don’t use reflective stuff. They should stay safe for their own sake.

Jessie McKamey

Kahala

COMFORT AND JOY

2020 has been a whopper of a year: the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hurt, politics and elections. But surely there is much to appreciate, much that brings joy.

In the spirit of the season, we are accepting letters (150 words max) and essays (500-600 words) with uplifting messages to share during this holiday season; the deadline is 5 p.m. today.

Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-210, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.