What do we expect (“Rail shortfall tops $1,100,000,000,” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 16)?

The construction unions and their workers are happy to extend their period of work for another few years at taxpayer expense. With shortened workdays to accommodate traffic and businesses, they can keep this up as long as we are willing to keep paying them. There’s no incentive to complete this project on time.

For those who scream that we should terminate the rail project, consider all of those suddenly out-of-work construction workers who would not be paying into the union coffers. What would this do to our economy?

Richard Criley
Lower Makiki

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It’s inane to criticize a champion of keiki

I completely agree with Ken Takeya regarding Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland promoting Hawaii Children and Youth Day for 21 years at our state Capitol (“Chun Oakland deserves praise,” Star- Advertiser, Letters, Aug. 28).

When it comes to our keiki, kupuna, disabled, the homeless, the disadvantaged, Chun Oakland has been their champion for decades. I know because I’ve been dealing with her for 20-25 years and I’m a member of her task force on the deaf, blind and hard-of-hearing. To criticize her for doing something good for our keiki is asinine.

I love that lady for the compassionate, caring human being she is. Like Takeya said, “She does not deserve to be treated this way.”

Art Frank
Makaha

OCCC could be used as homeless shelter

Why not convert the overcrowded Oahu Community Correctional Center into a homeless transitional shelter?

It is an existing structure that has outlived its original capacity and was on the chopping block long before the homeless problem reached critical mass.

OCCC is centrally located, close to transportation and presently functional, with food preparation and dining areas, administrative offices, ho‘oponopono and music-celebration areas, security and parking.

We could pick an uplifting paint scheme, replace bars with doors, and open up walls to create suites for families.

In the past, initiatives were considered that explored the possibility of expanding the Halawa Correctional Facility. If the concept of Halawa’s expansion were enhanced, the resulting facility would consolidate Oahu’s reformatory systems, allow off-island prisoners to return home and be a safety valve for the overcrowded State Hospital.

A synergy like this seems more humane, expedient and durable than the creation of muggy steel containers to house Oahu’s homeless one-by-one.

Roger Yu
Palolo Valley

Volunteers needed to cull population

I couldn’t agree more with Bruce Lee and Dean Nagasako on overpopulation (“Arrogant humans ignore impact,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 15; “Overpopulation rarely discussed by media,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Sept. 13).

We have to get rid of a few billion people. Any volunteers? No fair volunteering someone else.

Otto Cleveland
Pearl City

Kudos to writers of recent letters

There were several particularly good Letters to the Editor recently.

Overpopulation should be addressed by us all. I realize that several religions would find it difficult. But all should follow the premise, “If you can’t afford to feed and house them, then don’t have them.”

Another letter regarding teachers leading school study trips was excellent. The teachers not only have to plan and make arrangements for the trips while they are teaching their classes, but then chaperone the students 24 hours a day while they are away.

Ask the Ethics Commission members if they would be willing to commit to those hours and responsibilities.

Mandy Bowers
Manoa

Being blindsided is government norm

We frequently hear from our local government officials refrains such as: “We didn’t see it coming!” whether on homelessness, hot classrooms, overflowing sewers or traffic gridlock.

Why is this? Because they are preoccupied putting out fires.

We cannot constantly operate in an emergency mode. To minimize, if not avoid, these types of situations, our government leaders must strive to be prescient (farsighted by paying attention to warning signals), progressive (thinking outside the box), and proactive (getting off the okole and working outside the comfort zone).

If not, being blindsided will remain the norm.

Alvin Katekaru
Mililani

Obama has been poor war president

Jim Wolfe is obviously no fan of former Vice President Dick Cheney (“Why does anyone listen to Cheney?” Star-Advertiser, Sept. 15). What Wolfe says about the Iraq war is true, but only half the story.

History has taught us the lesson: Win the war, keep the peace. That lesson was heeded in World War II and Korea, leading to long-lasting peace. It was ignored in World War I and Vietnam, leading to disaster.

Regardless the wisdom of going to war with Iraq a second time, there is no dispute that President George W. Bush and Cheney won the war. History will record the massive tragedy caused by President Barack Obama for failing to keep the peace.

Rhoads Stevens
Hawaii Kai