Here we go again (“Ige wants rise in gas tax to fund fixes,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 28).

In 1995, our gas tax in Hawaii was raised by 5 cents per gallon. This was sold to us as being necessary to maintain our roads and highways.

You only have to drive for a mile in any direction from your home to see that our roads are worse than those in some Third World countries. Either Gov. David Ige doesn’t remember the last time we were scammed or he thinks we don’t remember.

How about considering the idea of spending less on foolish projects instead of coming back for more milk from a dry cow?

Our illustrious politicians seem to think that citizens have unlimited money they can grab. Shame on them.

Ronald Torngren

Mililani

State lottery could help solve a lot of problems

We could already have paid for classroom air conditioning, solutions to the homeless challenge and much more without raising taxes or taking money away from other projects.

If we think of a state lottery as a means to solve these issues, it becomes a win-win. What are our legislators waiting for?

Marilyn Nagel

Kaneohe

Trump winning because America loves reality TV

The news anchors and journalists are still scratching their heads at how Donald Trump is dominating the polls.

There is an easy answer: The media won’t stop talking about him or following him around.

Even when Trump opts out of a debate, you think, OK, it’s time for the other candidates to speak. But Trump says jump, and the media ask how high. All other candidates get a fraction of prime-time news coverage.

America loves reality TV — “American Idol,” “Survivor,” “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “The Apprentice,” and now the 2016 presidential primary. That’s why Donald J. Trump will be the next president.

James “Kimo” Rosen

Kapaa, Kauai

Overpaid sub teachers should have spoken up

So 220 out of 223 substitute teachers chose to keep quiet about being overpaid (“DOE garnishing pay to make up for error linked to dated system,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 27).

If you got paid twice what you were owed, you would know it. I hope the three who came forward about being overpaid are moved to the top of the substitute list. Perhaps the other 220 could teach ethics classes, and the students could learn from them how not to be an ethical member of society.

Melanie Holden

Hilo

Kauai’s new law to stop barking dogs is worthy

As a dog trainer and author, I often am asked what can one do to stop their neighbors’ dogs from barking.

I know municipalities tend to be apathetic to these concerns, so I applaud Kauai’s effort to restore the peace (“Law that targets barking dogs is enacted on Garden Island,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 21).

Columnist Lee Cataluna wags in the wrong direction when she says, “Poor doggie” (“Barking-dog law a sad sign of changing times on Kauai,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 24). Dogs who are allowed to bark needlessly experience increased anxiety. While owners disconnect and tune out the noise, neighbors become more sensitive to it and, as a result, everyone suffers.

Fortunately, training and proper management strategies are simple to implement and they work. My hope is that this law motivates canine caretakers to accept their responsibilities, help their howling hounds and show respect to neighbors.

Amy Ammen

Waikiki