City must maintain, expand bus routes

I can’t believe the city is cutting back and changing bus routes.

Some years ago bus stops were eliminated to save money. Now, there’s more hardship for riders — the public. Buses are for the public. City leaders seem to have lost that purpose.

I’ve been on the express bus through Kalihi to town, and on the No. 4 from Waikiki to the university. They are well-used buses.

Cynthia Oi is correct ("To get people out of cars, give them a better option," Star-Advertiser, Under the Sun, July 12). Increasing and extending runs makes sense. We all know costs of almost everything have risen, so riders would understand reasonable fare increases — with the key being reasonable.

Pat Paterson
Honolulu

Local government payrolls too large

Stockton, Mammoth City and San Bernardino are three California cities that recently filed for bankruptcies. Many cities across the country are facing this fiscal dilemma.

Why? It’s because state and city government payrolls have grown too large, and unfunded liabilities have not been addressed for public worker retirees’ pension and health benefits.

We have irresponsible politicians and powerful public unions who engaged in bargaining agreements that states and cities could not afford. They relied too heavily on federal funds.

Our federal government cannot continue to provide assistance to these cities and states because it is already broke with more than $16 trillion in debt.

Is Hawaii getting the message?

Robert Hatakeyama
Salt Lake

Some congressional candidates ignored

Those who set the standards of integrity should do everything in their power to abide by them.

This is particularly true of both print and television media. I refer specifically to an advertisement depicting a debate being held in the race for the 2nd Congressional District stating, "Four candidates debate the issues. Only one can get your vote."

The ad pictures four candidates and strongly suggests that only those pictured are worthy of consideration. In fact, there are six legitimate candidates in the 2012 Democratic race for the 2nd Congressional District and each is entitled to the consideration of voters in said district.

How can we hold our candidates to higher standards of integrity and equality when Hawaii News Now and the Star-Advertiser sponsors are not giving constituents the whole picture by giving true information about all eligible candidates? This is a critical time when integrity is needed most, since misrepresentation can be injurious to the entire process of free, open and honest elections.

Dante K. Carpenter
Chairman, Democratic Party of Hawaii

Cayetano focused on more than rail

After watching the mayoral debates and watching the commercials being run, it strikes me that the two candidates running against former Gov. Ben Cayetano keep going back to the rail issue. Cayetano is the one talking about actually fixing our city’s other major problems.

As a taxpayer of Hawaii, I am concerned that government agencies keep coming up with new ways to pick our pockets. They do this while cutting back on services.

When has our city and county ever built or funded anything that didn’t have delays, change orders and cost overruns? Now we are to believe everything will be perfect with the rail system.

First, they should fix our other major problems to show us they are capable of getting it right the first time.

Then, and only then, should we consider the rail project.

John Waring
Kailua

Cayetano lacks vision to lead city

Great leaders are those who can see beyond the horizon. They have an innate ability to envision a better tomorrow and are bold enough to try to achieve it even when others only see obstacles and despair.

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano is a classic example of someone who lacks the necessary vision to be a great leader. Where some see opportunity, he sees only risk. Where others want to strike out from the pack and grab hold of our future, he wants to play it safe and follow what others have already done. Where others want to attack our problems head on, Cayetano proposes retreat and thus only delays the inevitable.

I would imagine that if Cayetano had ever met Henry Ford, he would have told him that building the Model T was too risky because there were no good roads and no one could afford such a silly contraption anyway.

Chad Kahunahana
Moiliili

Don’t let DUIs bog football program

Since at this point no physical injury has been done to anyone due to the three alleged DUI infractions by members of the University of Hawaii football squad, maybe something good can develop from this.

I’m confident all UH sports figures are now fully aware of the severity and consequences of drinking and driving. More restrictions levied on the players now would only serve to further punish the remaining innocent ones — coach, team and the public.

Thought should be given to imposing no more restrictions but instead substituting some public service with the caveat that in the future, if any student athlete representing UH is found guilty of a DUI, it would result in immediate suspension from university sports.

Let’s not distribute more bad feelings now — let’s play ball!

Kenyon Cardoza
Diamond Head

Consider full costs of copper thefts

About the copper wire stolen in Kalihi Valley: It’s a disservice to list only the value of the stolen copper. What about the planning and the labor and the scheduling — in other words, the total cost to us, the taxpayers — to replace the copper? It’s probably closer to $5,000. If the thief is apprehended, he should have to serve community service equivalent to the total cost of replacement. Failing community service, jail or hard labor should follow.

James M. Lee
Kapolei