We have a disaster looming over Honolulu and the state of Hawaii.

A 100-year flood will devastate the Ala Wai watershed area (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Makiki, Moiliili, University of Hawaii at Manoa and parts of Punchbowl and Kaimuki).

Picture that area looking like the news footage you saw of Houston after Hurricane Harvey. In additional to structural damage to buildings and homes, the power, water, sewer and telecommunications networks would suffer extensive damage. The state’s prime economic engine would be shut down for months, and hampered for years afterward.

The Army Corps of Engineers priced the flood mitigation project at $200 million, but we can’t find the money to complete it.

Why are we even talking about finding money to rebuild the Neal S. Blaisdell Center? Where are our priorities? Where are the adults in the house?

Raymond Trombley

Moiliili

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Oahu taxpayers pay for rail and Blaisdell

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said that funding for rail construction and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center project comes from completely different funding sources (“Rail costs cast shadow over Blaisdell plan,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9).

I’m confused. Isn’t the funding source for both projects the taxpayers of Oahu?

Dennis Kohara

Waialae-Kahala

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Use vacant building to shelter homeless

Thank you, “someone,” for cleaning up the parks that were so damaged by the homeless living in them. But where are those people going to live, now that we have destroyed their possessions and forced them to move?

I thought of the vacant building right across the street from the Institute for Human Services on Nimitz Highway.

Yes, it is a large empty place with minimum facilities, but there is water in the part that was the garden area and at least one bathroom. Maybe it would be good for families with children to be there.

Put yourself in their place and try to imagine how it might be if you lost your job, or your home/living area and had no place to go, except on the street.

Isabel C. Hoe

Kaimuki

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Chinatown sit-lie ban unenforced

Residents and business owners of Chinatown have been asking me the same question: “Why is the sit-lie ban not enforced in Chinatown?” Good question. I also wonder why it is enforced elsewhere, yet not here. Now that Nimitz Highway has been cleared, there are a lot more homeless in our Chinatown and Kalihi neighborhoods.

The Chinatown store doorways are occupied by the homeless as soon as the shops close. The smell of the urine, “Chinatown perfume,” is the sad reality here.

I’m concerned about the health and economic impacts of continued and increasing homelessness.

We are allowing the growth of a dangerous problem. Increased crime is plain as day and residents deserve better. Taxpayer money goes to our public spaces, but the public can’t enjoy them. The state needs to ramp up efforts and help get our neighbors off the streets and into housing and treatment facilities.

James Logue

Chinatown

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President needs to show respect, too

James Rosen said many on the left do not show sufficient respect for President Donald Trump or the office he occupies (“Liberals should show respect for presidency,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 8).

I disagree — Trump is getting more respect than he deserves. l wish I could respect the office of the presidency more, but the way the occupant is chosen makes it difficult for a decent person to get elected.

As for respecting Trump, he can earn my respect by showing proper respect for reporters, minorities, war heroes, women, poor folks, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Gold Star family members and everyone else who isn’t rich and white.

William Bye

Diamond Head

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Trump has been good for economy

Star-Advertiser editorials are anti-Trump. However, we appreciate Donald Trump’s presidency for numerous reasons:

>> Opening the Keystone and Dakota pipelines. Refined fuels are among America’s leading exports. We invest in fuels and pipelines, lowering trade deficits. It also bankrupts South American dictators, limits Middle East terrorist funding and hurts Russia as we expand into European markets.

>> The Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Finally, churches can speak out against anti-Christian politics, without fear of losing tax-exempt status. Christians can now conduct business according to their faith without government persecution.

>> Opposing Obamacare. Employee medical costs have increased heavily since Obamacare was implemented. This stagnates wages and makes hiring full-time workers exceedingly difficult. Obamacare must end.

>> Record returns on 401(k) plans and investments, helping employees reach their retirement and life goals. The mere perception that Trump is good for business is having positive market impacts.

Don Fernandez

Kailua