I would like to thank the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for publishing Dr. Cynthia Goto’s excellent article (“Caregivers need help of legislators,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan 8).

I identify with her experience. I saw my mother’s quality of life diminished by caring for my father for years as he battled Alzheimer’s, and felt the stress in my own life as I kept up my law practice while caring for my husband in his last five years with the disease.

Resources for caregivers are so necessary and yet almost nonexistent. I wish Dr. Goto and all family caregivers good health and the strength to persevere.

I hope legislators heed their call to enact some form of caregiver assistance that provides a little respite.

Carol Eblen

Kahala

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Trump must reach out to all Americans

If President-elect Donald Trump wants us to give him a chance, he must become a president for all the people — not just those who agree with and voted for him (“Let’s give Trump chance to succeed,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 11).

He lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million — hardly a mandate — and he must earn our trust by showing respect for others. His continued insults, bullying and invective are beneath the office of the presidency. This week we saw clearly the contrast between the farewell address of an intelligent, kind, dignified and principled outgoing president and the first press conference in nearly six months by a president-elect bragging about power, wealth, and refusal to adhere to ethical expectations.

Especially scary are his threats against the independent free press that distinguishes us from dictatorships. If we are to believe good intentions are in his heart, his words and actions should start to make us proud rather than frightened, ashamed and embarrassed.

Luanna H. Meyer

Hawaii Kai

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For president-elect, reality is secondary

Watching President-elect Donald Trump’s transition to the White House reminds me of the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Eldred Kagawa

Moiliili

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Media coverage on shortfalls inadequate

How does the media fail the public?

I see in your reporting a consistent failure to add context to mind-boggling taxpayer costs regarding rail budgets, pension funding shortfalls and similar financial reports.

I have no clue how a $9 billion to $10 billion rail system compares to Honolulu’s total budget and revenues. I have no clue how a $12 billlion pension deficit compares to the state’s total budget and revenues.

I have no understanding of these relative costs and no understanding of my own personal share of those rail and pension costs, unless you tell me.

Please tell me. Or shall I flee this state before the final bills arrive?

Pamela T. Garrison

Kailua

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Build memorial for civilian casualties

Nanette Napoleon’s article managed to list 23 of the reported 49 civilian casualties by name (“Remember the civilians killed on Dec. 7, 1941,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Jan. 10).

She is mystified that all have remained unrecognized. Shame on us! A memorial on the corner of McCully and Kapiolani (in that small park area behind the bus stop) would be a great location.

Cassandra Aoki

Kaneohe