Rail backers ignore operating costs

One aspect of the proposed rail transit system that its proponents consistently and persistently avoid discussing is the potential cost of its operation and maintenance once the thing is built and put into operation.

A number of mainland metro systems have found the cost of operation and maintenace exorbitant. Several have experienced major accidents that were attributed to poor maintenance. With the potential for spalling of concrete on this island, I wonder how long those concrete piers under the stations will last before they have to be repaired? The BART system in San Francisco recently raised the one-way fare to $8 because of the cost of operation and maintenance.

Charles M. Ferrell
Honolulu

HPV vaccine not always necessary

The article about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is biased and does not present a balanced case ("A shot of prevention," Star-Advertiser, Oct. 18). Sarah Park, the state epidemiologist, argues that immunization does not acknowledge sexual activity.

Why then, is one required to receive the yellow fever vaccination when traveling abroad? Because research has shown traveling in certain areas increases the risk of becoming infected with that disease. The argument can be made that if a child is not engaged in behavior that puts her at risk, then she does not need to receive this vaccine, just as a person living in the U.S. does not need the yellow fever vaccine because she is not at risk of becoming infected.

Certainly there are other ways of protecting our children besides injecting them with a vaccine they may not need and which has not been proven to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. That HPV vaccines are safe has not clearly been shown yet.

Pattie Ceci
Hawaii Kai

Protect children from future risks

We need to update our belief that vaccines are only for our keiki. We need to acknowledge our kids will be sexually active one day in the future. We need to inoculate our daughters as well as our sons as early as possible — even at age 9 — so when they’re sexually active, they will have this available and recommended protection.

Otherwise, we are guilty of not protecting our kids as well as we can from some sexual scourges out there.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine should be regarded in the same light as vaccinations against polio, smallpox, tetanus, whooping cough and diphtheria, and insurance companies must be mandated to cover the associated costs.

Janet Dagan
Honolulu

Let APEC delegates apply for rebates

I had to laugh when I read that many of the delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference would be exempt from local hotel and general excise taxes.

As a local businessman, I am glad that none of these "customers" will be doing business with my company. Think about the horrendous nightmare for retail vendors.

Think of the hassle of record-keeping and reporting exempt sales to the state. Think about the extra work for state tax auditors. Fraudulent claims by crooked vendors claiming exempt sales?

A better solution, since we do not want these people to contribute to our state coffers, would be to have them save their receipts, total the taxes paid and submit them to the state tax office for a rebate. Less paperwork for the state, and less business disruption for local businesses. Most of the delegates would not bother to file for the rebate!

Bob Freeman
Honolulu

Hank Williams not a free-speech issue

Regarding CT Gregoire’s letter, expressing outrage that Hank Williams Jr. was fired from ESPN ("Are you ready for some free speech?" Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 18): For whatever it’s worth, I enjoyed Monday Night Football much mo’ betta without putting up with Williams’ time-wasting, useless, over-the-top animated, egocentric wailing. (I’m now hoping that the producers of Sunday Night Football will also do away with street-walking-attired Faith Hill’s similarly useless intro.)

None of this has anything to do with anyone’s right to free speech; or anything to do with whether "this president" is thin-skinned or not. I won’t be boycotting Monday Night Football. But I’ll probably still listen occasionally to some of my Hank Jr. albums.

Jao Ottinger
Makaha

Evolution is theory, not scientific fact

In response to Leslie E. Sponsel ("Evolution isn’t up for debate," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 14): True science uses a specific controlled process to test theories. This process, the scientific method, will tell you if you are right or wrong about your hypothesis. However, the scientific method is limited; it can only be directly applied to observational science — stuff we can test. It cannot be applied to prove stuff that cannot be tested or measured, such as origins. Because of this, evolution will be eternally up for debate.

Religion should not be taught in public schools. That is the responsibility of parents, a responsibility that parents should take more seriously.

There is no scientific proof that evolution is a fact. Those who preach evolution is fact do this on the basis of faith, not from the shoulders of true science. Evolutionists should refrain from further contaminating real science with their religion.

R. Heath Todd
Ewa Beach