GLOBAL THREATS

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISTS IS WHAT MAKES US SAFE

Glenn L. Carle, former CIA deputy for transnational threats, wrote a commentary entitled "Jihadists are lethal, but not global threat" (July 15).

Carle cannot overlook the fact that on 9/11 jihadists caused the largest attack ever on the United States in terms of lives lost.

Although Carle implies that America is not threatened as much as the Bush administration makes it to be, it is because of President Bush's military offensive on all terrorists, including jihadists, that we have been secure in the U.S. and in our travels and interests worldwide.

If the next U.S. president believes Carle, we will surely see attacks on Americans at home and overseas as soon as the jihadists and other terrorists perceive they are safe to do so.

RAIL DEBATE

VANCOUVER SYSTEM HAS MANY PROBLEMS

Take it from a city that developed elevated rail transit. Vancouver installed elevated rail transit about 20 years ago, and it is true enough that it has moved a lot of commuters in that time.

But be prepared for the following problems that probably will occur. First of all, people will have to find a way to get to the various stations because you cannot drive to them because there will be no place to park. Next, we have found an increase in crime around the stations, so much so that we had to finally install transit police, which was an additional cost.

I don't know what type of pay system your rail project will have; we used to have a honor system that's not working so now we have to install a new gate system, which will cost millions.

Why not use the new fuel-cell buses? By using bus-only lanes, you can always change your route system as the need arises.

Once rail is installed it is there forever, and I don't think you want to ruin the look of your lovely islands.

PORTLAND HAS BEEN RUINED BY LIGHT RAIL

I grew up in Portland, Ore., and I found the front-page article, "Portland a pioneer on the light rail scene," rather interesting.

Years ago, and before Portland installed its light-rail system, the city of Portland had an abundance of vital, productive, safe, clean and convenient downtown shopping areas and quiet neighborhoods.

But, since Portland's rail system was installed, I have watched its once vibrant downtown area become nothing more than one gigantic light rail stop maze with hopelessly unnavigable one-way streets, "for rent" signs galore and panhandlers. It has been overtaken by both the rail system and the crime it attracted.

As a result, once-peaceful neighborhoods have now become nothing more than havens for drug dealers and the light rail's kiosk-dwelling homeless.

Please, let's not be bullied by Mayor Mufi Hannemann into turning our beautiful island of O'ahu into another Portland, Ore. The horror! The horror!

BELEAGUERED OAHUANS SHOULD GET THEIR SAY

O'ahu taxpayers acquiesced to all the recent county tax and fee increases — property, auto, sewer. Even the biggest tax increase in Hawai'i's history, a general excise tax increase of 12.5 percent, went down like "Sunday morning" (easy).

Now we're getting hammered with biased ads (we pay) telling us rail is the right choice.

Leaders, let the taxpayers decide (vote) if they want rail. Both Gov. Linda Lingle and former Gov. Ben Cayetano agree.

Let's see if the majority of residents really want tax increases, bigger government, rampant development and further desecration to our beloved O'ahu. Let's find out if taxpayers believe that spending billions for rail is a priority and in their best interest.

The salient fact about transportation is that there is too much of it. Let's continue to improve our bus system (less cost, available now), encourage ride sharing and flexible work hours (country car pools?) design bike- and skate-friendly communities and pursue other creative, less-extravagant alternatives.

Spending billions on rail transportation while many struggle with high housing and food costs is an issue that everyone should have a say on.

SECOND CITY

BUSINESS IN KAPOLEI IS CONTINUING TO SOAR

I write in response to Jean Fong's July 18 letter questioning the master plan for the City of Kapolei.

Kapolei is indeed living up to its promise as a major job center.

Since 2000, the number of jobs in the region has grown by 32 percent to nearly 25,000 in 2005. By the year 2025, the population in Kapolei is projected to double from 85,000 to 172,000 while jobs are projected to triple to nearly 70,000.

Even as the state's economy cools, business in Kapolei is soaring with additions such as Target, Office Max, Sports Authority, Circuit City, Borders, Regal Theatres, Costco, Simply Organized, Chun Wah Kam, and Teddy's Bigger Burgers.

To facilitate job growth, the 2008 Legislature passed HB 2739, which provides a tax credit to businesses within an enterprise zone such as Kapolei but with an agreement to increase employment by 10 percent annually.

Further, the Legislature has requested that the Judiciary study the expansion of the Kapolei family courthouse to include full services, which will also create more jobs.

Other government projects such as UH-West O'ahu and DHHL's new headquarters, coupled with additions such as the Salvation Army's Kroc Community Center, Disney Resorts, and projects within Kalaeloa, will further contribute to Kapolei's growing economy.