Let’s get serious about housing

We in Hawaii go year after year talking about creating more "affordable" housing, but predictably seem to always wind up with little or no progress, more complaints from businesses and tourists and residents — and even greater demand.

The unfortunate results include ridiculous, discriminatory bills like the ones just passed outlawing lying down on sidewalks.

Really? Let’s finally get serious, right now, about building decent, affordable housing of all types for those in need.

If folks are so down-and-out, profoundly exhausted and confused that they’re lying down (and sleeping and relieving themselves) on sidewalks, and if lawmakers are then writing and passing laws prohibiting it, very likely that means there probably needs to be a much more thorough and honest examination of the corruption and political failures that have gotten Hawaii to this sad point.

David B. Cannell
Waipahu

Many bicyclists rude on the road

When I was younger, I commuted via bicycle to the university. As abicyclist, I always tried to follow the rules of the road.

Unfortunately, this is not generally the case with manybicyclistsout there.

Who hasn’t seenbicyclistsrun red lights? Who hasn’t seen bicyclists rideagainsttraffic? Who hasn’t seen bicyclists ride in the dark without lights or even reflectors?

Arebicyclistsexempt from traffic laws? Who has seen abicyclistticketed bythepolice for a traffic violation?

Traffic rules exist for the courtesy and safety of all who use the road. I think bicycles are a great mode of transportation; it’s healthy and green. But riders would find more aloha if they all treated the streets they ride on as streets they share, and not as personal recreational paths.

Cyrus Won
Palolo Valley

Conserve power to help tourists?

As I sit here conserving electricity, my thoughts are with the poor tourist.

I am sure all the hotels turned off their air conditioners andpowered down other high-use equipment.

How much electricity will the two concerts use at Ko Olina this weekend?

Never mind, I am turning my AC back on.

George Meyer
Kapolei

Let courts rule on Rice, not mob

The NFL scandal with Ray Rice and others raises some interesting questions.

Since when is it the duty of employers to enforce public policy?Since when do we as Americans try to get each other fired from our jobs? Since when do people who believe in the Bible believe that human beings should be held to a zero-tolerance policy?

As bad as domestic violence is, it is something that should be handled by the legal system pursuant to laws enacted by our duly elected representatives. It should not be handled by the mob and the media.

Lloyd Lim
Makiki

Peterson denied his due process

Adrian Peterson has been a role model ever since joining the NFL, disciplining his children the way he was disciplined.

I believe we as parents have different issues with our children. However, I was disciplined the same way and had to choose which stick I wanted my parents to use on me. I believe it made me understand and made me the successful person I am today.

Kids are different nowadays and lack the discipline of our older generation. They believe they are entitled to having things.

I believe Peterson should leave Minnesota after being told that he was an embarrassment to the state.

All that he has been given was suddenly taken away without due process. I thought this was America.

William T. Pirtle
Waipahu

Business plan for rail is suspect

We got our rail project.

Now all we must do is figure out what to do to succeed. That’s the message from the rail authorities.

Rail is a financial black hole because there wasn’t a worthy business plan. Rail authorities only can tell us their "feelings" of confidence that as time continues, they will get more information and solve development issues at some future time.

This is not a proactive business plan. This is an on-the-fly business reorganization. The bank is the taxpayer.

What team of business geniuses came up with this business plan?

Kealohi Lam
Kailua