Hawaii’s economy driven into the ground
While Gov. David Ige is touting Hawaii as having the lowest COVID-19 death rate in the U.S., he fails to mention that we rank No. 1 in unemployment, which isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
After all, a state that suffers from “freedom constipation” won’t attract many tourists, who are the main economic engine that powers our economy.
The notion of trying to find a workable balance doesn’t appear to exist in Ige’s world. It’s about “protecting our citizens at all cost” even if it means driving our businesses and the soul of our people right into the ground.
Margaret Peary
Mililani
Rail costs will soar to astronomical heights
The city should cease construction on the Little Engine That Couldn’t.
$11 billion to finish it all? Does anyone begin to believe that number? Stopping construction has an exit fee of a mere $500 million, but that’s better than $25 billion that the train to nowhere will cost eventually cost by 2033. Oh, and we won’t have to pay $300 million a year to run it.
We also should leave the guideways up as a reminder to Honolulu residents to never undertake thoughtless public works projects. Stop the madness now before Honolulu County goes broke and our property taxes triple in the next 10 years.
Von Kenric Kaneshiro
Downtown Honolulu
Hanauma Bay rules favor visitors over locals
The mayor once again shows preference for visitors over local people (“Visitors welcomed back to Hanauma Bay with new fees and restrictions,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 3).
Why open Hanauma Bay at 8 a.m. when a loyal group of people came at 6 a.m. and were gone by 8 a.m.?
Why would local visitors have to see a video each visit? And the 720-person capacity per day? Did that come out of his hat?
Penelope Hazzard
McCully-Moiliili
EXPRESS YOURSELF
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Comfort and joy
2020 has been a whopper of a year: the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hurt, politics and elections. But surely there is much to appreciate, much that brings joy.
In the spirit of the season, we are now accepting letters (150 words max) and essays (500-600 words) with uplifting messages to share during this holiday season.
Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-210, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.
