BRT-only lanes will worsen traffic

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano’s bus rapid transit (BRT) plan takes up traffic lanes for exclusive use by city buses. If you take away lanes from general traffic, it may make the bus more efficient, but you’ll have less road space for drivers, making traffic worse in places that are already congested. Additionally, if all on-street parking is eliminated, area merchants will suffer.

Mayor Jeremy Harris previously proposed BRT, and the driving public rejected it for many reasons, including those mentioned above. There is no perfect solution, but rail is the best choice and we’ve already started building it. Unlike BRT, rail has an approved financial plan and funding sources.

If we quit rail now, we won’t get any traffic relief between Kapolei and town. Honolulu won’t get federal transit funds and the rail money will go to some other city, just like it did in 1992 when Mayor Frank Fasi’s rail plan was canceled. And traffic has only gotten worse.

Brian Popp
Kailua

Unlike HART, BART runs underground

As a former resident and frequent visitor of the San Francisco Bay Area, I would like to comment on Fujio Matsuda’s article ("Tale of 2 cities suggests need for rail," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Oct. 21). In aspiring to a San Franciscan ambience, we should note that all the metropolitan San Francisco BART stations are underground, as is their light rail system. They have thus preserved their cityscape.

With respect to transit-oriented development along BART, I would point to West Oakland, MacArthur, Oakland 12th Street and Oakland 19th Street stations, which have not seen such development. In contrast, Emeryville, which is not on the BART system, has a booming development with IKEA as an anchor.

After the Oct. 17, 1989, earthquake in San Francisco, the freeway on-and-off ramps around the Embarcadero were torn down and not rebuilt, and to the great surprise of San Franciscans, clear views of the bay and sunshine were preferable to the freeway overpasses. Keep Hawaii, Hawaii. I ride the bus.

Timothy Lum
Honolulu

Go after thieves who break into cars

If Hawaii had as many bank robberies as it has car break-ins, the problem would be taken seriously and steps would be taken. Unfortunately, car break-ins mostly affect tourists and their rental cars, and thus, almost seem to be perceived as victimless crimes.

Your editorial blamed car manufacturers, car rental companies and visitors themselves ("Warn visitors about car thefts," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 15). Missing from the editorial was any suggestion that the thieves had any role in this situation; that maybe they shouldn’t be doing it; and that perhaps they should be arrested before they go on to bigger things.

Other jurisdictions have had good results using cameras in parking areas and patrols by police on scooters or bikes. Also popular are bait cars, wired for audio and video and GPS tracking. There are also exploding dye packs like the banks use.

It would be wonderful if visitors always took home a little aloha rather than talk story about Hawaii crime.

B. Freer Freeman
Arlington, Va.

Prosecutor should be fair and honest

"The prosecutor has more control over life, liberty and reputation than any other person in America. His discretion is tremendous. He can have citizens investigated and, if he is that kind of person, he can have this done to the tune of public statements and veiled or unveiled intimations," said Justice Robert H. Jackson in 1940. Aggression is the last thing you want for the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office ("Kaneshiro should stay as prosecutor," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Oct. 20). I suggest you look for fairness, clarity of mind and honesty of purpose.

The Star-Advertiser seems to be running with a narrative of prosecutor candidate Kevin Takata seeking office because he is mad that he got fired. Rather, he sees the office he dedicated 23 years to getting erased and reset in time to 1996. Takata is a prosecutor, not a politician. He wants to be protecting the streets rather than working them for votes.

Marcus L. Landsberg IV
Honolulu

Drive speed limit, arrive at same time

I commute from Wahiawa to Pearl Harbor on weekdays, beginning between 5 and 5:30 a.m. I drive about 55 mph while constantly being passed by drivers doing 65-70. How much time do you save going so fast? A 20-mile freeway commute (not counting surface streets) takes just under 22 minutes at 55 mph. At 70 mph, it takes just over 17. So if you wake up just five minutes earlier, leave your house five minutes earlier, and drive 15 mph slower — you’ll still get there the same time. And save money on gas and maintenance, and are less likely to get into an accident.

Tracey K. Scott
Wahiawa

You can grumble even without voting

Merietta Mattoon is absolutely wrong when she says, "If you don’t vote, then you can’t grumble" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 19). In the USA there is no prerequisite for grumbling. You don’t have to vote, register to vote or be legally able to vote to grumble about whatever you don’t like, including all aspects of the government. Covicted felons, illegal aliens, the criminally insane and the rest of us all equally share the right to grumble freely. To my knowledge, the only folks whose public grumbling is restricted are active duty military.

This country was founded on the principle of freedom, including free speech. You are not required to vote to be free to grumble.

William Bye
Honolulu