A rail system will simply not work. It's too limited, will take twice as long as expected to build and three times the dollars.

The solution to traffic is to make it less appealing and/or necessary.

POLITICAL ISSUES

NOTHING MUCH HAS CHANGED IN 40 YEARS

I moved to Hawai'i in 1966. It was an election year and the politicians were busy shaking hands and making promises. The major issues: 1. the high cost of living; 2. the lack of affordable housing; 3. a poor public education system; and 4. too much traffic.

That was 40 years ago! They're still the major issues today.

It seems clear the government is unwilling or unable to solve these problems, although I know many politicians will say they could solve them if only they had a little more of our money.

I think not.

KAILUA BEACH

'AINA DESERVES ALOHA, NOT DESTRUCTIVE ACTION

At Kailua Beach on Aug. 17, I watched a local man cooking on a small hibachi. When he was finished he dumped the burning coals at the base of an ironwood tree, covered it up with a small mound of sand, packed his car and drove away.

Smoke was still rising from his coals as he left. I grabbed a gallon jug of water and doused the fire. Shame on you. Someone could have gotten burned not to mention the damage you would have done to the tree.

There were two hot-coal disposal units not 20 yards away. We often blame the tourists for destroying the 'aina but when our own local people do destructive dangerous things like this it makes me really angry. Have you ever heard of aloha 'aina?

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO CUT FATALITIES

Are we aware that our local government is incapable or unwilling to reduce traffic fatalities? We should be!

We should also understand that although our government agencies spend our money and time on television commercials and other educational efforts to change driver behavior, there is ample evidence with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and other agencies that these efforts are a waste of time and money.

Can you say that you know any driver who is not aware that he/she is required to drive safely, at the speed limit, and in compliance with all our traffic laws and regulations?

In out-of-control situations mothers often rise to the occasion, for example Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Maybe it is time for these groups to flex their political muscle and expand their interest to reduce our runaway traffic fatality rate.

In the meantime, parents should tell their children to take their first safe opportunity to extricate themselves from a recklessly driven vehicle and then use their cell phones to call home for safe transportation.

DEAF PLAYER

LOCAL PONY OFFICIALS SHOWED NO ALOHA

Congratulations to Justin Tokioka and his parents for fighting for Justin's rights to play baseball with reasonable accommodations.

The Justice Department's settlement with PONY officials implies a compromise was struck. That may be the case, but it was not at the expense of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. PONY Leagues must comply with the ADA just as much now as they did the day they denied Justin his right to play.

The part that is really upsetting is that local PONY officials had a chance to do the right thing not only because it's the law, but because this is Hawai'i and while growing up, we let everyone play. Instead they showed no aloha.

HOMELESS

STATE NEEDS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS

The State of Hawai'i has been so far off target regarding the homeless problem.

The state should consider building three- and four-bedroom housing for rental at reasonable amounts. It should be based on family income, size and need. This would allow families to move ahead. It will give children the pride of inviting friends home. It will give parents confidence in the fact that they can care for their families. Produce housing that people can rent at affordable rates. The state of Hawai'i needs to look long range, at curing a problem that has always plagued our citizens.

ENERGY

'COOL ROOF" PROGRAM SMARTER FOR SCHOOLS

The headlines "Beach Erosion 'Widespread'" and "It's Like Studying in a Sauna" (August 6) could together be titled, "Hawai'i shooting itself in the foot."

The cause of beach erosion is the rising ocean level, which is caused by global warming. Global warming plus hot-box classrooms create sweat. The "solution" is air conditioning, which burns more oil for electricity, which causes global warming, which raises ocean levels and causes higher land temperatures, which necessitates more AC. It's a devilish downward spiral.

Air conditioning classrooms is like putting ice cubes in ovens. Many older classrooms were inadvertently designed to collect heat. A group of selfless businessmen have donated time and materials to create "cool roofs" at Waipahu High School. Cool rooms reflect, rather than absorb the sun's heat. The result is classrooms that feel a good 8 degrees cooler.

Spending tax dollars to AC old hot boxes is like subsidizing state cars to run on flat tires. Each school will spend millions to install AC and the electricity cost will rise by $87 per student per year, year after year after year. Isn't there a textbook and computer shortage?

Finally, AC'd classrooms are often boarded up. Scientific tests show that students with good outdoor views perform 20 percent better than those with poor views. The new DOE leadership is committed to green school design and that's great. Meanwhile cool roofs plus super-efficient ceiling fans will dramatically cool down most existing classrooms. Tax dollars for cool roofs will not only cool down classrooms but also contribute to a cooler earth and stabilized ocean levels.