TRANSIT

A BUS SYSTEM CANNOT DO ALL THAT IS PROMISED

Regarding Ann Kobayashi's letter (Aug. 10), I think there needs to be clarification on this wonderful system, as I can't believe a bus system can do all the things promised.

I've ridden in trains and buses in many cities, and I've never been on a bus that can travel nearly as fast as a train.

Also, a bus that can be used on an elevated highway and on the streets could not have the capacity of a train because they can't be as long or as wide.

That leaves more frequent buses, which means about 10 times as many buses. The initial startup cost of Councilmember Kobayashi's bus system may be less, but how much greater will payroll be to have 10 times as many drivers?

Also, how long before the elevated highway for the bus and the bus system's payroll makes the cost of the bus system more expensive than the train?

LET'S STUDY A CHEAPER SOLUTION THAT WORKS

Your Aug. 6 editorial "Note to City Council: Quit transit tap dance" worries about losing $20 million of federal funds. But spending this $20 million will lead to huge losses for O'ahu taxpayers.

The mayor now says the rail transit system will cost $5 billion, of which the feds will pay $1 billion (although no city has gotten more than $750 million).

Even taking his own lowball cost figure of $5 billion and the unrealistically high federal subsidy of $1 billion, O'ahu taxpayers would have to come up with $4 billion for a system which, by the mayor's own analysis, would leave traffic congestion at its present "F" level.

For a generous cost estimate of $1 billion (Tampa's cost only $400 million), we could get High Occupancy Toll lanes and save ourselves $4 billion. That's before the Federal Highway Administration subsidy that is available. The FHWA is encouraging the building of HOT lanes and could provide an 80 percent subsidy.

So, yes, let's scuttle two years of planning for a useless, costly system that will do nothing to relieve traffic. Let's study a much cheaper solution that works.

RAIL WILL BE COSTLY MISTAKE FOR HONOLULU

I would like the City Council to very seriously consider the alternative plan offered by Ann Kobayashi.

Fixed rail is so unsuited to a small island, and would take unnecessary time and money. An elevated system with buses or such that could be changed to other routes and be flexible to any changes in the future opens the door to many options,

Fixed rail is just that — fixed. No changes are possible once it is in place. I do not know anyone who thinks that makes sense in Honolulu. In 15 years or so, we will want and need changes.

A flexible method would offer so many other options. If public transit does not pay for itself, the elevated road could be used as a express road going to Honolulu one way in the morning and return one way in the evening.

Please do not allow the rail to pass. It would be a disastrous and costly mistake.

HAWAIIAN

SERVICE IS SACRIFICED IN AIRLINE'S OUTSOURCING

Re Mark B. Dunkerley's letter "Outsourcing provided benefit to passengers" (Aug. 6):

The only benefit of outsourcing is to the stockholders of Hawaiian Airlines. I had to wait 45 minutes on the phone to talk to a ticket agent, and then I couldn't understand them.

It is almost impossible to book a ticket on the phone.

Hawaiian Airlines is sacrificing service to its customers to make more profit.

MILITARY SERVICE

ALSO PATRIOTIC TO TELL PRESIDENT HE IS WRONG

Thank you to Tammy Kubo (Letters, Aug. 13) for expressing her patriotism and pride in her son's decision to join the military. My two brothers fought and were wounded in Italy and France in World War II; another brother served in the occupation of Japan.

My husband delayed his college graduation and joined the Military Intelligence Service during the Korean conflict and graduated after he served. I am grateful to and proud of all of them.

My only hope for Tammy's son is that the unconstitutionally waged war in Iraq will be over by the time his training is over.

Patriotism is not only military service. Patriotism is not only being willing to die for one's country, but to live for one's country.

Patriotism is participating in our government "of the people, by the people and for the people" by voting, expressing ourselves to our representatives in Congress and Honolulu, participating in local government, educating ourselves so we can participate effectively and wisely.

Patriotism includes telling our president he is wrong when he is wrong.

MIDEAST

IRAQ DEBACLE DOESN'T FIT DEFINITION OF WAR

Just a quick note regarding Howard S. Okada's letter (Aug. 8) in which he referenced "winning the war" in Iraq and troops "returning triumphantly."

A war involves trained and fielded military troops in actual combat. Wars are traditionally fought for land and power.

We are not at war with Iraq. Iraq's military is not fighting the U.S. Army. No enemy political entity has fielded and funded an army.

The lies of pending mass destruction that created this chaos may have justified entering the country to prevent a clear and present danger. The rationale that the family Hussein must be brought to justice is now moot.

The fallback purpose of bringing democracy to Iraq is also now moot. And, quite frankly, we have been democratically ordered to leave by this Iraqi government twice now.

So why are our troops there? Because there has not yet been a triumphant victory?

Without a political entity to surrender to the U.S., we will remain an occupying force in a sovereign nation until we choose to leave or the United Nations has the nerve to uphold international treaties and laws and make us leave.

I invite any of Hawai'i's citizens to explain to me just how the Iraq debacle is a war, which nation's army it is we are fighting and how do we force them to surrender?

HOMELESS SHELTER

IHS IS A PLACE WHERE MANY BUILD A NEW LIFE

The Aug. 13 article "Wai'anae shelter's beds go begging" included a quote that mentioned the Institute for Human Services as one of the shelters that fills up nightly and often turns people away.

The story went on to say that "part of the reason is those shelters are not around-the-clock facilities."

I would like to correct any impression that a reader might have gotten from that article that IHS is "just a shelter."

In fact, we are an around-the-clock facility with house rules and expectations. IHS has a wide variety of programs designed for the individualized needs of our guests.

One of our newest programs is our Community Re-entry Program, which helps ex-offenders re-integrate into the community through supportive case management, the structures of drug testing, employment and housing placement assistance.

Another example is IHS' Employment Program, which helps IHS guests find long-term employment and build on initial successes.

IHS also offers classes for parents and keiki, a comprehensive housing program, and case management for those with mental illness and substance abuse issues.

This is all in addition to serving the basic needs of our guests in the way of hot food, warm showers and safe beds.

Please don't be mistaken — The Institute for Human Services is definitely more than just a place to spend the night. It's a place where many start building a new life.

WAI'ANAE SHELTER IS AVERAGING 95% FULL

The Advertiser's portrayal of the Wai'anae Civic Center emergency homeless shelter does not accurately represent our shelter.

Since Aug. 1, the facility has averaged 95 percent capacity. As of Aug. 14, only three of the 117 units were available. We have a waiting list for singles and couples.

It is also inaccurate to say that we "beg" people to enter. Yes, outreach is provided; it is necessary to explain the program to prospective residents.

And you cannot compare a walk-in emergency shelter with our facility. While these shelters offer a full range of program services for interested individuals, they are also places where individuals can come get basic needs met without any initial adherence to program requirements. At our facility, program compliance is mandatory from Day 1.

As for the mention of a "lockdown," this is an inaccurate representation of what occurs at our shelter when rules are broken. A "lockdown" is a corrections term that refers to having all inmates ordered to their locked cells indefinitely. This never happens at our facility. No one is ever confined to their room. Our program does have sanctions for program non-compliance. These people must stay on facility grounds, and, most importantly, start working on their road to recovery.

Our 250-plus residents are in a program that helps them achieve goals, strengthen families, gain skills and live in a drug-free and safe environment. That is what the state and the Wai'anae community asked us to provide, and that is what is being delivered.