RAIL

MORE ON SHIFT WORK WILL EASE TRAFFIC MESS

I've been following the mayor's proposal for this fixed rail system. It seems like a waste of taxpayers' money since it will only benefit a few.

The traffic problem will not go away because of the number of households and cars per household.

We should consider shift work for all city, county and state employees.

Could you imagine the benefit of having all agencies open for 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

The first to complain would be the unions, so make it mandatory that all new hires sign an agreement to work shift hours with rotating days off.

When I say all government agencies, it's everyone, even the court system. Maybe the private sector can get involved. No one will know unless we look into it.

PRIVATE DEVELOPERS SHOULD BUILD STATIONS

If the city insists on building a $5 billion train system, here is an idea to consider that would save some money: Let private enterprise build the train stations.

The city would acquire land for the stations and sell it to a private developer. The developer would build a building as high as the area allows. The building would consist of parking and shops in the lower level; the train station above that level; above that would be stores, theaters, restaurants; and the next levels would be offices and living units. The developer would sell these as fee-simple condominium units. The city would be given ownership to the station unit and be responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. The building would be maintained, as any condominium is, by the maintenance fees from the owners.

Imagine living in a classy apartment in a high-rise building. Take the elevator down to go shopping, to see a movie or go to a nice restaurant. Or, take the train to a restaurant, store or theater at another station along the line. Your job could be in an office or store along the train line. This would increase the usage of the train.

End result, the city gets the stations built for free and ridership is increased. Not all bad.

LIGHT RAIL IS A FEASIBLE PROPOSAL FOR O'AHU

Although I am happy that rail transit was found to be the most cost-effective transportation alternative for south O'ahu, I am equally convinced that a feasible Kapolei to Manoa line can be built within Mayor Mufi Hannemann's $3.6 billion limit if it is largely built on at-grade (ground and/or street-level) rights-of-way, rather than the bridges and tunnels that have been proposed. While this decision would require that light rail transit be used, this technology is successful in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego and dozens of other U.S. cities.

Based on lines now being planned for Mainland cities, it should be possible to build a 28-mile light rail transit (LRT) line from Kapolei to Manoa and Ala Moana Center for $2.4 to $3 billion dollars. All segments 'ewa of Fort Weaver Road and diamondhead of Iwilei can be built on reserved street lanes, with major cost savings. Ala Moana Center should be served by a circular line from King Street, following the path of current TheBus routes 5 and 6. Please, Mayor Hannemann, ask the City Council to select rail, but also send your planners back to study LRT on reserved and exclusive at-grade rights-of-way.

PERFORMANCE RATING

WANT GOOD SCHOOLS? PUT LEARNING OVER TESTS

There is no irony in the fact the superintendent of schools is doing a terrific job, but that her performance is satisfactory (Letter, Nov 1).

When an intelligent, dedicated, hard-working individual works with an obsolete, broken and despotic system, the performance rating will never go beyond satisfactory.

If the people of Hawai'i want good public schools, then we need to sever our dependency on federal impact aid so we can promote learning instead of testing.

NEW STORES

CITY RESPONSIBLE FOR WAIKIKI PARKING WOES

"Waikiki's new stores spur hunt for parking" (Advertiser, Oct. 30.)

Well, duh! What did the city expect when they took 81 parking stalls out of Ala Wai Boulevard to put in bulb-outs, plus placing planters in the middle of parking lanes on other streets in Waikiki? The Waikiki Residents Association had protest rallies on Ala Wai Boulevard for weeks and tried to get a restraining order against the city, to no avail.

There is talk of a rail system in Waikiki taking out another lane of traffic. If the city keeps on with its stupid ideas, it won't be long before all traffic will be banned and Waikiki will be for pedestrians only. Then the hotels and stores will wonder where all the customers are.

VOLUNTEERISM

EMPLOYEES OF 2 FIRMS DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Each day, an untold number of drivers wind around the eastbound on-ramp from University Avenue onto the H-1 freeway. On their way up they often see keiki playing and having fun in the playground below.

This past Saturday, the employees of Dick Pacific and The Advertiser made something extraordinary happen for the preschoolers. Tons of new material, the use of equipment and strenuous labor were generously donated to give the playground a renewed life for them to enjoy.

Alongside staff and parents of the preschool, each volunteer really did "make a difference" for the children who play beneath the giant monkeypod trees, my son included.

Mahalo Dick Pacific and The Advertiser.

DISRESPECT

NOISEMAKERS RUINING HAWAI'I'S QUALITY OF LIFE

Wayne Lepulu, a 15 year-old boy, was shot after confronting a noisemaker. Wayne stood up against what we have learned to live with: Some individuals and their attitude that they can be as noisy as they want to be. This attitude disrespects all of us.

Whatever the source, modified mufflers, low-flying helicopters or many others, usually there is a law or ordinance to protect us from unnecessary noise. However, the situation seems to have worsened. Are police not enforcing the laws effectively, giving priority to other duties? Are citations upheld in the courts? Whatever the reason, the current situation is bad and must improve!

Hawai'i's quality of life must not be sacrificed to a minority of disrespectful and lawbreaking individuals.

For help and to get organized, there is a citizens group out there: Citizens Against Noise: (http://hawaiicanhush.net).

IRAQ STATEMENT

JOE MOORE SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO KERRY

On a recent broadcast, Joe Moore suggested that John Kerry should apologize to the American troops in Iraq for a remark that has been distorted by Republicans.

Mr. Moore, it is you who needs to apologize to Mr. Kerry for suggesting he made such a remark. If you listen to Mr. Kerry's speech, he most assuredly said that Mr. Bush is the one who did not use his education and took this country to Iraq, where we should not be. I am sick and tired of Republicans distorting the truth. Mr. Kerry is an honorable man and a war hero. He would never demean our troops.

Mr. Moore, I hope you will stand up and admit your mistake and do the right thing.

FOOTBALL

UH SHOULD STAY LOYAL TO ITS GREEN AND WHITE

Joe Moore hits the nail on the head somewhat with his comment about June Jones.

I was surprised to find in the media guide that the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has four colors. I thought our colors were green and white. Green, white, black and silver is overkill!

Psychologists suggest that the black uniform instills fear in the opposing teams. I guess it is working, along with the haka. We are winning games, but the fans are missing!

Oh, how I miss the old touchdown fight song some of you may remember. The words may be incorrect, as I have been a Rainbow fan since the 1940s and a season ticket holder for years, and my memory has faded quite a bit:

Oh, you Rainbows hats off to thee

To our colors loyal, we'll ever be

Green and white our colors to be

Rah, Rah, Rah for the green and white

Rah, Rah, Rah for the green and white

Rah for the green and white.

Go, Rainbow Warriors! Green and white, fight! fight! fight!

AULOA CLEANUP

CITY ROAD CREW GETS KUDOS FOR HARD WORK

Mahalo to the city road crew who cleaned up the mud slide on Auloa Road Tuesday night. They worked through the night in the rain to clear the road before the morning rush hour.

I saw the dedication and pride they took in their work. We are all grateful and thankful for their efforts.

HECO

OREGON SETS STANDARD FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Hawai'i residents were informed that ensuring continued electrical distribution in a future disaster would cost each of us $3,400 to shore up HECO's infrastructure. Is that the way Hawai'i should go?

Iceland vowed a decade ago to switch to renewable energy in 10 years — and did it. San Francisco decided to have solar on all its government buildings, bringing down the price of solar and enabling more residents to afford solar. Oregon's governor issued an executive order five years ago — and they are rapidly progressing toward sustainability. Now there is a second order that all Oregon's state buildings be on renewable energy in four years. Hawai'i is the state with the greatest number of renewable energy sources available — solar, wind, wave action, ocean thermal, etc. Why aren't we doing the same?

Instead of more dependence on centralized electrical generation by HECO, we should be making it possible for every building to generate its own electricity. Solar panels (and solar water heating units) would enable everything to function better when the next hurricane or other disaster comes. And the state should retrofit the airport with solar to enable it to be more functional next time.