Change in road tax will increase costs
With the state’s new idea to tax cars based on miles driven, would the gas tax be repealed (“‘Driving reports’ will compare paying by the mile or by the gallon in Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 13)? Have government leaders thought this through?
The delivery of goods and services is done by trucking. Those costs may go up, making everything more expensive in a state where everything is expensive.
The real cost of miles driven hurts the people living farther away — the very people who can least afford a tax increase.
Is the real idea to have both taxes to wring a little more money out of us? I think so.
Whiting Hyland
Kailua
Story explains how to steal Honda parts
I am not a Honda owner, but if I were, I wouldn’t be pleased about your article educating would-be thieves about the value of my car’s catalytic converter, and how quick and easy it is to steal (“Hawaii thieves target cars’ catalytic converters at huge cost to motorists,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 13). And you even included a helpful photo showing them how to do it.
Pam Chambers
Kakaako
Navy can afford to move Red Hill tanks
The Navy’s resistance to moving the Red Hill fuel tanks that sit on top of Oahu’s water supply is beyond absurd and crazy. It is criminally negligent.
The Navy knows the risk to the water supply. It knows the tanks have more than outlived their useful lifespan. Yet, the only reason it is dragging its feet is that removing or relining the tanks will cost a lot of money.
To put that cost in perspective, the U.S. has 11 aircraft carriers in service. No other country has more than two. The most recent carrier in the fleet, the USS Gerald R. Ford, cost more than $12 billion. And the Navy wants to tell us it can’t afford to rebuild the “gas station” where they fill up?
The state needs to totally and finally reject the Navy’s plan.
Richard Manetta
Wilhelmina Rise
Death of ISIS leader offers hope for future
No matter what side of the political aisle you are on, the recent death of the leader of the terror group ISIS is welcomed news.
I think most Americans, along with others in the world, are happy and relieved. Over the past several years, we have not seen the gruesome horror of an innocent person getting beheaded by an executioner who always appeared to take delight in his grisly role.
This savage group of extremists has been decimated in Iraq and Syria, though remnant groups are active in other parts of the world. However, there seems to be a ray of light regarding their demise.
It appears to me that some sanity seems to be trying to restore itself in this troubled world of ours.
Norman Fung
Kaneohe
Ziplines unsafe for kids with disabilities?
Besides at Kakaako, the City Council should consider placing that zipline equipment where more playgrounds are needed, like Waianae (“Caldwell reaffirms support for Ala Moana playground,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 8).
The Council decided that Ala Moana Regional Park isn’t where a zipline playground should be built. But the mayor doesn’t seem to care and reaffirmed that it will be at Ala Moana, as if he has a quid pro quo with the Park Lane condominium developer who wants it installed directly across the street, as though it was an amenity of the condo.
The Ala Moana zipline playground has been promoted for children with disabilities. Is it really a good idea to place children with disabilities on a zipline, when they can fall off and get hurt? The mayor is supposed to protect, not endanger, children. Should the mayor be liable for any injuries? Will voting for governor be as easy as ABC, anybody but Caldwell?
Ed Stevens
Mililani
Tell us what are you thankful for
Maybe it only seems that things have gotten more divisive. Maybe we’ve become too focused on the negatives instead of the positives. Here’s your chance to reflect on things to be thankful for, and to share with fellow readers. Today through Nov. 24, we’ll be accepting “Be thankful” letters (150 words max) or essays (500-600 words). A collection of these will run on Dec. 1, Thanksgiving weekend. Email to letters@staradvertiser.com or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-210, Honolulu, 96813, c/o Letters.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), 529-4750 (fax), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter
