Statements in the article, “Rat lungworm lab is denied funding” (Star-Advertiser, April 28), that virtually all research and outreach and all expertise on rat lungworm disease is at the University of Hawaii-Hilo surprised me.

At the Pacific Biosciences Research Center (UH-Manoa), we (myself and colleagues now at Bishop Museum and Howard University) screened snails/slugs at almost 200 locations across the state, showing that many species carry the parasite; did experiments on washing produce; and organized an international workshop and public forums across the state.

Since the spate of cases on Maui, we have worked closely with the Department of Health, and I have made presentations at UH-Manoa and to Waimanalo farmers, responded to countless public information requests, and been interviewed by numerous media (including the Star-Advertiser, ThinkTech Hawaii and Civil Beat).

Rat lungworm is a horrible disease and we need to work collaboratively and collegially with all to do the best for Hawaii.

Robert H. Cowie, Ph.D.

Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii

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Exorbitant rates raise hotel costs

I see the Legislature has finessed (read postponed) the rail funding issue by passing a hotel tax increase that will likely not stand the test of a legal challenge (“Plan would raise hotel tax for rail,” Star-Advertiser, April 29).

What is interesting is the reaction of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the hotel industry in general. As usual, they whine about any attempt to increase Hawaii’s hotel room taxes. Of course, they have absolutely no problem increasing their room rates, adding exorbitant “resort fees” — whatever that means — and charging exorbitant rates to park guests’ cars.

Room rates in Honolulu have increased by over 2,000 percent since 1965, but air fares have increased only by about 300 percent. The increase in hotel room rates is not because of taxes.

Bob Gould

Kaneohe

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Don’t raise TAT to pay for rail

We should not tax the tourist industry to pay for the rail blunder (“Plan would raise hotel tax for rail,” Star-Advertiser, April 29).

It costs tourists enough to visit Hawaii already. They are burdened with rip-off airfares, hotel expenses and car rentals. Their lives are disrupted from drownings, muggings and car break-ins.

End the rail at Middle Street. Sell the purchased train cars and run our city buses on the rail guideway, with an off ramp at Middle Street. Continue on to Ala Moana, the University of Hawaii and anywhere else the buses already run. The only electricity needed for rail will be lights for the stations.

James Kataoka

Mililani

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Use stadium site for bus terminal

Now that Aloha Stadium use restrictions have been lifted (“Restrictions lifted on Aloha Stadium site,” Star-Advertiser, April 21), the mayor can transform the site into the city’s central bus terminal, where passengers can go everywhere the train and its bus feeders won’t.

Dennis Egge

Salt Lake

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Faith groups offer more to homeless

Mahalo for covering the 2017 Faith Summit on Homelessness, sponsored by The Institute for Human Services (IHS), The Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii and the Governor’s Office on Homelessness (“Homelessness summit opens,” Star-Advertiser, April 29).

However, there is more that deserves mentioning.

The summit provided examples of hundreds of congregations involved with the houseless: providing regular meals, supporting transitional housing for women released from prison, support of domestic violence shelters, involvement with the projects of IHS and FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity), and the broad-ranging services of The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.

The most notable omission was the contribution of the 60 congregations affiliated with Family Promise. In the past 11 years they have provided transitional shelter for nearly 500 families, of whom 80 percent are in permanent homes. This interfaith project has participation from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist congregations. Faith groups are doing a lot.

John Heidel

Kailua

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Sponsorship bill a shameful action

City Councilmember Kymberly Pine and the City Council once again shirked their responsibilities to maintain our city parks by passing Bill 78 — allowing businesses and organizations to maintain parks for a sponsorship acknowledgement. Now the city can blame volunteers for not doing the job at which the city has failed so miserably.

The politicians who run this city should be ashamed, but silly me, they are politicians — their shameful behavior knows no bounds. We have sunk to the lowest point when there is no limit to the amount of money they will spend to fund rail, but can’t keep the toilets fixed in our parks.

Pam Smith

Ewa Beach