Lt. Michael Cusumano and the Honolulu Police Department have reminded us that most of Hawaii is a gun-free zone, ripe for an active shooter to do his worst (“Shooter situations can occur here, so prepare, police warn,” Star-Advertiser, June 15).
Additionally, the police know that in most cases, they will be too late to do anything to stop potential victims from being killed.
Hawaii is one of the few states that has failed to pass “shall-issue” concealed-carry laws, which allow honest gun owners to protect themselves and others effectively.
Most active shooters choose soft targets, knowing that they will have little immediate resistance, and shun places where someone might be armed and ready to shoot back.
Experience should be teaching us that preparing for active shooter attacks is most effective when it includes an armed, vigilant public. Mass killers want helpless victims. We can stop them by being able to defend ourselves, not by running, hiding and waiting for unlikely rescue.
Brian Isaacson
Kailua
Homelessness a complex issue
Homelessness isn’t a state problem or a city problem. It’s a humanity problem.
The state and city are the unfortunate caretakers of this situation. They don’t control people’s minds and spirits. They have to balance the rights of individuals against the rights of communities.
They have to uphold and enforce the laws while exercising understanding, restraint, compassion and orderly execution of policy.
The reasons for homelessness are many. They are complex, intricate, mysterious, frustrating, sad, you name it. No major U.S. city is without it. No country, First World or Third World, is exempt.
Every person who thinks he knows the solution to homelessness is naïve, uneducated and delusional. We have a societal dilemma in a Judeo-Christian country. Some actions border on enabling. Others are dispassionate.
We need to trust that the state and city are applying the resources they have to manage this enormous problem.
Glenna Wong
Hawaii Kai
Drivers violate crosswalks often
Nineteen pedestrians were killed in Oahu vehicular accidents last year.
Older pedestrians face the greatest risk; between 2010 and 2014, Hawaii had the highest fatality rate for pedestrians 65 and older.
A recent incident made me realize the risk all Honolulu pedestrians face. A vehicle failed to stop as I walked within a Punahou Street crosswalk; when the driver finally saw me, I was waved at as if I was the offending party.
I’ve never seen police cite a driver for crosswalk encroachment.
Carmen Najera
McCully
Caldwell’s legacy is fiasco of rail
Mayor Kirk Caldwell is talking out of both sides of his mouth on the issue of rail.
He’s the one who ran for mayor as the “rail” mayor.
He’s the one who said he would lead the way.
He’s the one who said he would keep it on time and on budget. He’s the one who said it is a “must have” for the island.
He’s the one who took the money from the unions and contractors so he could win the election.
He’s the one who positioned us to be in this mess.
Now he’s trying to blame the mess on others.
If he were in the business world instead of the political world, he would be sued for fraud. He is the one most responsible for rail and it will be his legacy.
John Wong
Aiea
Rail fares still not revealed
With all the research that was done regarding cost to build the rail system, why weren’t we given, before voting on whether we should proceed with the rail, information on what the fares were to be?
I believe that just like the gross underestimates of the cost of construction, the fares will be so high that ridership will be too low, so we will have to subsidize continuing operation of the system with far higher taxes than are politically acceptable.
Johanna Jacob
Hawaii Kai
We need a plan for fiscal crisis
I read with interest the article, “San Francisco readies plan to survive fiscal crisis” (Star-Advertiser, June 13).
Municipal officials there are readying an “economic resiliency plan” to ensure the city can best withstand the kind of financial tsunami that rocked U.S. cities and global markets in 2008, leaving some on the verge of economic ruin.
We are headed for a recession that could wreak the same kind of havoc, only worse. How will Honolulu do? Right now our unemployment rate is 3.8 percent. That could skyrocket, as hotel occupancy would plummet due to visitors cutting back on luxury travel. Several other industries would be affected as well — but where I’m headed with this is the rail-transit system.
It is sucking up money at blinding speed and could easily bankrupt our city. It’s time our leaders get serious as to what lies ahead.
Linda Carlson
Palolo Valley
Airport lacks enough parking
The Transportation Security Administration is not the only barrier to making your flight.
For many months, the parking facility at the main terminal was in a state of construction, with about two-thirds of it not available for use. Now that it has reopened, I am amazed at all that space being used by car rental companies.
I have already missed two mainland flights with connections due to the inability to find a parking stall for resident parking.
As I drove round and round looking for a place to park, I could not help but notice that the spaces given to car rentals were virtually empty. This area is blocked to prevent anyone from entering it.
If you are lucky to have found a place to park, all the major air carriers are at the other end of the terminal and there is a long walk, especially if you have luggage.
It seems to me that there should be a complete plan reversal.
Judy Muncaster
Hawaii Kai
Don’t bend rules for developers
When will we regain our civic control?
The latest egregious example is the height exemption sought by Best Hospitality LLC for a 350-foot tower on a Waikiki site which has a 25-foot height limit (“325-foot height exemption sought,” Star Advertiser, June 10).
The real estate analyst quoted in the article nailed it when she said, “Why have regulations if we are not going to follow them?”
Were this the first time such a substantial exemption was being sought, and if it were for a compelling reason of some sort — not just return on investment — it might be different. But it’s not. Evidently the developer paid a premium for the land with the blithe expectation that the rules would be waived.
This height limit has been in effect since 1976, and for valid reasons. Kudos to the city for going slow on this one; hopefully the precedent set this time will be adherence to regulations.
Karin Lynn
Moiliili
