Open first rail segment when ready

Once again, the city is throwing away the best chance of ever operating the rail. It was supposed to open for football season in 2020 — remember?

Now the city is saying the operational segment will open in July 2021, which is looking less likely the way city politicians are talking (“Honolulu City Councilwoman suggests delay in start of rail service,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 25).

The real question is: What is the cost of not opening the operational segment? The equipment will deteriorate, warranties will go without ever being stressed, and experience on what needs to be fixed for the current operationally ready segment, and the to-be-constructed segment, will be lost.

Tell your City Council representative and other elected representatives that the spending of a large amount of taxpayer money without any return will not be tolerated. If they ever hope to have a chance to operate the rail, the first segment must begin operating as soon as feasible.

Bruce A. Fink

Makiki

City wants rail to roll as soon as possible

In response to “City officials eye delay in start of rail service,” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 25), the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) would like to clarify the city’s position and correct this misstated headline.

Councilmember Kymberly Pine, not the city DTS, offered the suggestion to defer rail operations for an entire calendar year.

The city has proactively prepared budgets for the operations and maintenance of rail; the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) previously projected to start rail in March 2021. However, HART and Hitachi Rail Honolulu (HRH) have now indicated that the earliest potential start date for rail will be no earlier than late July 2021.

When HART and HRH can turn over a safe, thoroughly tested and 100%-certified ready for operations segment to DTS, it is our intention to run this 10-mile inaugural segment immediately.

Jon Y. Nouchi

Acting director, Department of Transportation Services

Stop giving free rein to developers

For years there has been valuable input from the concerned public over the ongoing favoritism given to developers to design and build whatever they want.

Developers just keep on disregarding laws and guidelines, and developments keep getting approved by the mayor, City Council and the city Department of Planning and Permitting.

Exemptions are bought. The city gets paid off and the construction industry keeps building — overpopulation and infrastructure issues are ignored. And so it goes, year after year.

The Ritz- Carlton debacle was a good example of the developer doing things his way — disregarding rules and public opposition (“Developer, city fail to keep promises on Waikiki parking lot,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 13, 2019).

Kakaako is overbuilt, and now five 400-foot towers are proposed at Ala Moana, exceeding height limits by hundreds of feet. And on and on.

We need a mayor, City Council and DPP that will stop selling out to developers who break the rules. This new leadership provides the opportunity to start a new sense of saving what is left.

George Brown

McCully-Moiliili

Give vaccine credit where credit is due

The commentary by Noah Smith, “Vaccines prove U.S. still capable of big accomplishments” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 23) was a wonderful, positive article lauding a great achievement by American scientists in bringing about a COVID-19 vaccine in record time. The article rightly compares this to other great achievements by American science such as the moon landing.

Nowhere, however, is the name of the main driver of this great success — President Donald Trump — even mentioned. Why is it so hard to acknowledge this positive contribution of his? You may not personally like him, but can’t we still give him credit for things he has done that will benefit all of us?

If people really want to bridge the divide that seems so pervasive in our country right now, let’s start by being fair and honest about things we can agree on.

David Haymer

Hawaii Kai

Elderly traveler left without options, help

There is no aloha for the elderly arriving in Maui. I landed on Monday, Nov. 23. I had an email saying my COVID-19 test, from a Hawaii-approved partner, was negative. I had a Safe Travels Hawaii account. Both are in my phone. All my paperwork complied with Hawaii’s requirements. I could not figure out how to upload the test result to Safe Travels.

Yes, I was sent to quarantine. I tried the offices of the Maui mayor and the governor: “Not our problem.” I tried the Kahului Airport management: No reply.

So here I sit.

Tom Magee

Chicago

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