RUSH-HOUR INCIDENT

WHY WAS H-3 TUNNEL NOT CONTRAFLOWED?

There was an oil spill in the Honolulu-bound H-3 Freeway tunnel on Sept. 10 during morning rush hour.

I experienced the gridlock as did thousands of others.

I wonder why the Department of Transportation did not just contraflow the Kane'ohe-bound tunnel on the H-3. It would have probably lessened the peripheral congestion greatly.

It probably would have taken less HPD involvement, too, as they would not have had to have officers block the H-3 highway and entrances to the on-ramps.

TRANSIT

RAIL IS JUST TOO COSTLY FOR O'AHU RESIDENTS

I have issues with Ms. Alicia Maluafiti's logic and figures as stated in the Hot Seat on Sept. 7.

The average family will not give up their car because there are kids' activities, doctor appointments and shopping to be done. The cost of gas may be a savings, but the major expenses for a car of insurance and maintenance will still be there.

As to her rail cost of $581 for a family of four, I can only conclude that that figure refers to annual fares.

It is the exorbitant cost to build this proposed rail system that makes it a drain on O'ahu residents. At a cost of $4,694 per person on O'ahu, this system will be more than 10 times higher per capita than the highest-cost system in the U.S. ($409 in Pittsburgh). It's a lot of money.

According to The Honolulu Advertiser (Aug. 31), $3.7 billion could buy gas for all of us for 2 1/2 years, or 140,000 Toyota Prius cars (one for every four licensed drivers on O'ahu), and at an average yearly income of $39,239, it would take our hard-working citizens 76,000 years to earn $3 billion. Again, it's a lot of money.

If we end up with the proposed rail system, our roads will clear up — because everyone will have moved to the Mainland, unable to afford living here.

KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY

WHY HAS BRIDGE TAKEN SO LONG TO COMPLETE?

The new 35W bridge in Minneapolis has been completed in a year and opened yesterday.

My question is simple. Is anyone at the Department of Transportation embarrassed about the bridge work on Kamehameha Highway and Halawa Drive? This temporary bridge has been in place for more than three years, spanning approximately 100 yards of water. This is an area seen by thousands of tourists every day.

I have seen more work completed in one day on the Fort Weaver widening project than I have seen on this bridge project in three months.

THEATER

MVT'S CLINE SHOW AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

The Manoa Valley Theatre show "Always...Patsy Cline" gave our family a musical evening we shall long remember. Zenia Moura was the ideal vocalist to present the robust songs favored by Patsy Cline.

Patsy had a difficult vocal range to imitate, with a God-given untrained voice and the star of the show presented it to the audience in perfect pitch.

The comedy of Patsy's sidekick in the show was hilariously presented by Suzanne Green. The band was full-bodied and delicious. The success of community theater, the dream they weave, requires your participation. Life is but a dream we share. Don't miss this wonderful show which runs until Sunday at Manoa Valley Theatre.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

PALIN HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON SECURITY ISSUES

In regard to Jim Peterson's comments in a Sept. 13 letter on Palin's foreign policy qualifications:

It is apparent that the Democrats are getting "flustered" by not knowing the "rest of the story."

Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system and the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. It is the only National Guard Unit that is on permanent active duty.

As governor, Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security and counterterrorism plans. She is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country's defense.

Given Alaska's proximity to Russia, her exposure to classified material may rival even Biden's. She is also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force, a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security's counterterrorism plans.

Perhaps Sarah's answer "Well you can see Russia from an island here in Alaska" was her way to prevent getting into national security secrets. We finally have someone who can keep a national secret.

COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD GOV. PALIN'S IGNORANCE

I am incredulous of Sarah Palin's complete lack of understanding about what's going on in Iraq. She seems to feel that the war in Iraq is a holy mission and that it is linked to 9/11, a phony mantra which even President Bush no longer mentions.

In her interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson, she had no idea what the interviewer was asking when he questioned her about the Bush Doctrine.

Question: How can anyone so ignorant of foreign policy be selected to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? Answer: a political ploy on John McCain's part.

The country cannot afford her ignorance. What helps McCain's candidacy may harm our country.

EDUCATION

TOO MUCH HOMEWORK UNHEALTHY FOR STUDENTS

I believe that the homework load given to students is a concern. It is causing many students to have unnecessary stress and become emotionally unstable, and many are sleep-deprived. Will this really benefit the students?

The amount of sleep a student gets affects his or her performance at school; a sufficient amount of sleep will help students concentrate and perform better.

This hasn't just affected students' performance at school, but also their daily lives. As a high school student, I spend many hours on homework and studying. It's important for students to have a balanced life and spend quality time with family and friends on weekends. It puts pressure on students because parents want their children to succeed and excel.

Even though homework is a good practice for college, too much isn't healthy for students.

MAHALO

INJURED SURFER FINDS ALOHA SPIRIT STILL ALIVE

I would like to thank Jeanie, Joe and the others who helped me out this Sept. 7 at Ala Moana.

They showed that the aloha spirit is still alive and well. And to my fellow surfers, please think of what could happen to that person paddling back out if you don't make that section.

I won't be surfing or walking for a few months due to the large gash in my leg from someone else's fin.

Maybe the fins with the soft edges should become standard.

STUDENTS

DON'T CUT ONLY SPORTS PROGRAM FOR DISABLED

In response to your editorial, "BOE must stand firm on painful budget cuts:" Why is it remotely OK that there is $10 million in sports programs for regular education students and the only sports program for children in special education classes — less than $129,000 — is cut?

Possibly you do not understand that Special Olympics is the only comprehensive sports program in Hawai'i for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our athletes are not the athletes encouraged or invited to participate in varsity or junior varsity sports.

In the U.S., 75 percent of adults believe that children with intellectual disabilities should not be educated alongside children without intellectual disabilities.

Children with intellectual disabilities are bullied in school at four times the rate of other children.

And, 71 percent of U.S. youth without intellectual disabilities do not have social relationships with youth with intellectual disabilities and have no intent to establish such relationships outside of school.

Less than 10 percent of people with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. are employed, as compared with 50 percent of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. being employed. This is a direct result of the fact that Special Olympics is not just sports. Through our program, our athletes learn to follow rules, develop self-esteem and self confidence; they learn how to be a part of a team.

In a Yale University study, it was proven that children perform better at school, at home, and at work the longer they participate in Special Olympics.

Because of this cut, many special-education students will be left on the sidelines, unable to participate in school sports.

These students deserve, and have the right to, the same sports opportunities as their nondisabled peers.

Discriminating against the students with intellectual disabilities cannot be overlooked. It is wrong morally, ethically and legally.