Going over budget for rail transit was a forgone conclusion. Now that it has come to pass, let’s not fold our tent and slink away with a half-built white elephant.

There are a number of good ideas about how to finish paying for it. The cost for placing utility lines underground along Dillingham Boulevard should be shared by all who use them.

If Gov. David Ige is correct that “every single transit system I have used across the country has private participation in the stations. We have zero dollars in private participation” — why? It’s time Ala Moana and Pearlridge shopping centers, and other businesses who stand to profit big-time, chip in.

Lastly, why all the angst about extending the general excise tax surcharge? Extend it until the thing is paid for. Let the tourists help. They’ll be using it, too.

Lynn Miller

Mililani

Don’t expect Hawaiians to be grateful to U.S.

Gary Johnson criticized Kamehameha Schools students for not standing during the “Star-Spangled Banner” (“Students’ behavior was disrespectful,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 21).

That song represents the U.S. government, which criminally stole their sovereign kingdom and government, their rights, future, lands and culture, denying them proper justice.

How respectful is that? I have heard many times over the decades that the Hawaiians should be grateful that the U.S. took over their country.

If someone stole land from you, would you be grateful and respectful to the thieves? No way. I recently saw a T-shirt that read, “Hawaiian by birth, American by force.” That says it all.

David Kruger

Kalihi-Fort Shafter

DLNR enforcement chief was bucking the tide

Thomas Friel, with nearly 30 years of experience in state and federal law enforcement leadership roles and lots of credentials, was brought in as the chief enforcement officer for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Now he is resigning, after only six months on the job (“State enforcement chief leaving position at DLNR,” Star-Advertiser, June 21).

According to Friel, he wasn’t getting the support from above to clean up “a culture of waste, fraud and corruption” in the department.

The pushback from DLNR was from those he was investigating — specifically, management personnel — who have been at DLNR for decades. No surprise here. Our environmental watchdog, Carroll Cox, surmises Friel was unpopular with some of the supervisors because he was investigating possible improper behavior involving branch chiefs. Do you think?

Here’s the kicker: DLNR Director Suzanne Case praised his efforts.

This guy deserves a bonus for trying to navigate DLNR cronyism.

Mary Jo Morrow

Kailua

Renting out studio helps with family’s expenses

My daughter recently won a national surfing title at age 12, and we are bringing the title to Hawaii where she was born and raised. My wife and I are small business owners. I am an immigrant and a hard worker.

We own a property in Hawaii and have a studio that we rent out. This is the only way my family is able to afford to pay for our mortgage, pay for preschool tuition for my 3-year-old son and support my daughter doing what she loves.

Thousands of Hawaii residents depend on transient rental accommodation income to be able to live in the islands. House Bill 1850 would help simplify tax payments, allowing the state and counties to capture additional tax revenue.

Airbnb is successfully collecting and remitting taxes in 190 jurisdictions without a problem.

Fabio G. Da Silva

Haleiwa