Officials of the rail transit project have been excoriated for alleged incom- petence in underestimating its cost.

Well, state officials now are facing a similar problem regarding the installation of air conditioning in public schools (“Hot construction market thwarts cool-schools goal,” Star- Advertiser, June 22).

The state Department of Education is trying to cool 1,000 public school classrooms by the end of this year. But all the bids have come in over budget. The department had been budgeting $20,000 to $40,000 per classroom for equipment and installation. But bids opened on June 10 were much higher — in one case $135,000 per classroom.

So maybe the rail officials were not so dumb after all. In a period of rapid economic growth, especially in construction, prices go up. Earlier cost estimates become obsolete. That is economic reality.

And, of course, the lawsuits that were filed to stop rail caused delays that are proving costly. So blame the opponents of rail for causing the situation they now deplore.

Carl H. Zimmerman

Salt Lake

Maybe now is time for a lottery

The rail is costing more and more, and now the mayor wants to stop it at Middle Street.

Let’s have a lottery to fund the rail. Hawaii residents have always wanted some sort of lottery and this is the perfect reason to have one.

After two years, the lottery would probably generate enough money for the rail to go around the whole island.

Derrick Lai

Mililani

Boycott AC firms behind high bids

All of us Hawaii residents need to know the identities of the air-conditioning companies that sent in exorbitant bids to install public school classroom air-conditioning units — so we can boycott them.

Their bids were absolutely ludicrous.

If there is a way for the state to suspend their licenses to do business in this state, then that’s what should be done. They are trying to rip off the state, and in turn, us residents, since it would be our tax money.

It’s time the air conditioning company executives get a grip. We have had enough of that nonsense with rail, and now they want to jump on the bandwagon?

Dave Chabriel

Kailua

Water at stake in package of bills

As Hawaii continues to experience declining rainfall, editorials and articles in the Star-Advertiser have highlighted the need to implement measures to preserve our precious fresh water resources.

We commend state Rep. Ryan Yamane, state Sen. Mike Gabbard, and House and Senate leadership for creating and championing the forward-looking package of bills poised to increase recharge, reuse and conservation of our water. Hawaii can prevent the types of water-austerity measures California was forced to impose during its long-term drought.

The next step is for Gov. David Ige to sign into law the package, helping address the impacts of an increasing population and climate change on Hawaii’s fresh water resources.

With continued legislative leadership and partnership with the Ige administration, we can secure our water future.

Tim Johns

Chairman, Hawaii Fresh Water Council

Trio of judges highly ethical

I am writing not as vice chairman of the Honolulu Ethics Commission, but solely as a citizen.

A Star-Advertiser editorial repeated an insinuation that Mayor Kirk Caldwell appointed three retired state judges to interfere with the operations of the commission (“Don’t let city ethics work languish,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 17).

That insinuation is false. I personally have known the three judges for more than 30 years and know for a fact they would not be a party to any such thing. In my opinion, they each have the highest personal character for honesty, integrity and moral courage of anyone I know.

I have observed that their decisions as commissioners are always based on the merits and what they honestly believe is fair, just and right.

Michael A. Lilly

Pacific Heights

Hawaii lost fine young woman

The accidental death of Kristi Takanishi is not only a loss to her parents, family and friends but to the state as a whole (“Hiker remembered as bright, outgoing, exceptional student,” Star-Advertiser, June 21).

When such a promising career is cut short, we all suffer the pain. Our sincere condolences to the Takanishi family and to all who knew Kristi.

Roy M. Chee

Moanalua Gardens