Why was there no ZipMobile backup?

I find it extremely dysfunctional that the state Department of Transportation would not have spare parts in the event of a ZipMobile breakdown.

Did it think it would be sufficient to rob parts from ZipMobile 2 when ZipMobile 1 breaks down?

This is a complex piece of machinery that is used daily during the week, and they were not prepared for a breakdown?

Was there even a plan in the event of a breakdown and the ZipMobile couldn’t be moved?

Sometimes the lack of brain power that exists in the Hawaii state government is mind-boggling.

Tina Sasada
Waipahu

Pedestrian deaths can be reduced

I have several suggestions that I think would decrease the number of pedestrian deaths on Oahu.

» The time allowed for street crossing in designated crosswalks is too short for pedestrians over 65.

» Many visitors to Honolulu do not realize that cars can make right and left turns even when pedestrians are in a designated crosswalk with an appropriate signal forcrossing.

» There needs to be a posted warning sign for pedestrians regarding this.

» Both drivers and pedestrians should be respectful and careful when using Honolulu streets.

» There should be no competition between a car and a pedestrian. Obviously, cars have the advantage.

Malia Johnson
Kihei

Look to Atlanta for traffic advice

Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell would do well to look to Atlanta and read Mayor Kasim Reed’s "2015 State of the City" address to the people of Atlanta, listing accomplishments and goals, one of which is "to ease commutes and get you home to your families faster."

Atlanta has instituted a number of procedures, from MARTA a rail service to moving automobiles involved in accidents off the freeway and then investigating so that traffic continues to flow.

Quit putting out fires and develop a plan.

Mary Macmillan
Mililani

Express bus system would cut traffic

What is the motive of some of our politicians for building more homes in Central Oahu?

What is the motive for continuing with construction of the rail?

More important: What really is being done about our traffic problem?

The parking lot on the H-1 freeway on Tuesday will be commonplace tomorrow. Adding more lanes will only clog our streets even more — and this applies to the ZipperLane.

The rail is a joke. We need a sensible express bus system on a dedicated lane. Use it or suffer the consequences.

Ray Horita
Palolo Valley

Corporations use GMOs to pad profits

GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are not inherently bad, but should be relegated to the lab until all long-term ramifications have been unequivocally determined. Corporations have erred in using GMOs only to benefit profit margins.

There are three major issues with GMOs: They destroy biodiversity through monocropping; they contaminate agricultural lands with pesticides; and they concentrate a right as basic as food into a commodity subject to the whims of predatory capitalists whose main intent is increasing monetary profits with no regard to health and safety.

Federal agencies frequently pull products from the market. Thalidomide was widely used with devastating effects on children. Uranium and PCB tailings were once applied to gardens and used as fill dirt.

Scientific and medical opinion frequently change recommendations on any given issue.

The real issue is not whether GMOs are safe, but rather that science, the medical industry and federal regulatory standards have been twisted to benefit agricultural corporations.

Lucia You
Kailua

Don’t buy too many rooftop solar panels

Regarding "HECO keeps profits from rooftop PV" (Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 31), the solution is simple: Don’t let PV companies oversell you panels.

It’s better to have enough panels to keep it close to what you actually need.

If you have to buy more electricity, it won’t pack too much of a punch.

I realize that it’s the principle of the matter, but I’d rather come out fairly even than pay excessively for panels and let Hawaiian Electric Co. keep profits from my system or lose my credits annually.

As with taxes, I’d rather have enough withheld to cover my taxes (or come close) than get a hefty refund.

After all, it’s your own money that you could’ve used for other things.

But unlike HECO, our government hasn’t come up with a plan to steal your refund — yet.

Lisa Adlong
Hauula

We’re just having too many babies

Recently the Star-Advertiser indicated the Oahu population nudged up again ("More residents are packing up and leaving Oahu," Star-Advertiser, March 26).

In one year we were up a half percent, or 4,679 more people.

But don’t blame the foreigners or mainlanders. More people moved away from the island than moved in.

Don’t blame the politicians for raising taxes because we need rail lines and more roads and schools.

Don’t blame the developers for needing to build more homes and shopping centers.

Don’t blame the homeless because we have more people than jobs.

We must blame ourselves. We had twice as many births as deaths, and that is what has caused the population to grow.

Richard Fucik
Aiea Heights