Overuse has ruined Kailua

Regarding legislative proposals to manage commercial activities at Kailua Beach, it is obvious that nearly the entire bay has been utterly trashed over the past several years by overuse, not natural causes.

The same goes for the hiking trail up to the pillboxes, where the fragile landscape is eroded and denuded beyond repair.

Talking about solutions other than a total ban on such activities is a waste of time and serves only a small minority of business owners. As for claims that a ban will adversely affect employment opportunities, Kailua town is full — and getting fuller by the minute — of places to go make a minimum wage.

Sand dunes and the vegetation that stabilize them, such as naupaka bushes fronting the shoreline, are being destroyed. I weep for Kailua, andimplore our elected officials to do the right thing andban all commercial activities along Kailua’s shoreline.

Chris Monahan
Kailua

Use $5.3 billion for green energy

So, we are going to spend $5.3 billion for the rail project while businesses, government and residents pay astronomical rates for electricity.

Why not spend the $5.3 billion on expanding renewable energy sources and expanding our grid to cover all the islands? With all that businesses, government and residents would save on electricity costs, think of what that would do to expand our economy and lower the cost of government. Maybe then, we could use some of the savings to improve our transportation options.

Saving on monthly utility bills helps everyone in Hawaii, not just the commuters from West Oahu. Where are our priorities?

Rich Eaton
Waikiki

False beliefs delaying rail

Opponents of rail continue to spread fiction and myths about the project.

One that really bothers me is talk that the money would be better speon projects like fixing sewers and potholes.

While I do agree our sewers and roads are in disrepair, the fact is the money allocated for rail can be used only for rail.

Another concerns the more than $1.5 billion in federal funding we are set to receive. The federal government isn’t funding new roads and highway projects, so if we fail to follow through this time, some other city will benefit from our loss. That’s what happened in 1992, when we killed the original project and Atlanta received the money. Today they have MARTA and all we have is an overly congested H-1.

Stop spreading lies, stop being short-sighted. Let’s move forward with a long-term solution to ease traffic congestion. Build the rail.

Rocky Rockwell
Salt Lake

Taxes pay for things we need

To answer the letter writer who commented on the comic strip "For Better or Worse," in which a character asked why he has to pay tax ("Taxes make things cost more," Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 14), the correct answer is: So we can enjoy the protection of our military and police (paid by tax dollars), roadways to take us to the store (paid by tax dollars), going to school to learn to read and write and to take civics (something the elder must have missed), and learn about civilization and the need for hospitals, fire departments and on and on.

Joseph Alexander
Honolulu

Haleiwa market should be saved

It seems the state has more important problems than the Haleiwa Farmers Market.

The market is off the highway, and vehicle speed at that point is always slow because vehicles are in the slow lane about to enter Haleiwa.

Those who would shut it down should realize that OldKamehameha Highway runs right through Haleiwa and the lines for shave ice andrestaurants usually spill out on the road.

Give these hard-working people a break.Hawaii has a reputation for being against small business. The current action appears to be trying to squeeze the last dime out of these people.

Bob Frye
North Shore

Hawaii drivers are terrible

Restriping the freeway becomes a safety issue because drivers here don’t pay attention while driving. Even if the lanes were 15 feet wide, people can’t stay in their lane. I see so many people still talking on their cellphones while driving, speeding, going through red lights and stop signs, crossing solid lines, making illegal U turns. In Japan where the lanes are very narrow, you don’t see as many accidents as in Honolulu.

Kenneth Ikenaga
Pearl City