Letters to the Editor [Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)]

Other beaches need sand, too

Now that the replenishment of Waikiki beaches is completed, the state should consider acquiring equipment and hiring state workers on a permanent basis to continue erosion control throughout the state. Kailua/Lanikai is the perfect place to start. I would imagine most of the eroded sand is still offshore.

Let's start looking after our own people's needs as well as the visitors'. The state government is the overseer of the shorelines and beaches of the state, and a concerted effort should be made to keep them safe and useable by all.

Justin Seguirant Honolulu

Who is really out of touch?

If Ben is so in touch with his facts, unlike U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, then can he tell us how often he eats breakfast at McDonald's?

Does he endure the rush-hour drive to and from the west side daily, or even once in his retired life?

From the time Cayetano was in the Legislature and as governor, did he do anything for rail, or was he myopic, much like the Council members who voted against rail years ago? What was the cost then, compared to today? We had the money then, so what was the excuse? Who is accountable for that?

Do the rest of us and future generations want to endure and suffer the consequences of this short-sightedness? Rail transit is a long-term investment in infrastructure. Would the 7 million tourists per year prefer to drive in gridlock rather than use rail, like they do at home?

Bernie Chu Honolulu

It's Obamacare or single-payer

Under an existing federal law called HIPAA, a health insurer cannot deny coverage to a person in an employer group because of a pre-existing condition.However, individuals who try to buy non-group health insurance can be denied for being sick.

Obamacare solves this problem by requiring the health insurers to write individuals on a guaranteed-issue basis so long as those individuals are mandated to buy the insurance.This piece of Obamacare may be struck down by the Supreme Court or if Republicans take over the federal government.

What happens then? As health care costs continue to rise over the long term, more employers will dump health insurance coverage and put people into the individual market.As this happens, there will be increasing pressure for a solution to help sick people find health insurance.

Aside from the Obamacare solution, the only other solution is a single-payer system.That's where we are headed.

Lloyd Lim Makiki

Fix, don't dump, NFL Pro Bowl

I was disappointed by the recent news that the NFL will likely suspend the Pro Bowl starting next season. A major complaint about the Pro Bowl seems to be the lack of excitement. To make the game more competetive while remaining sensitive to injury concerns, perhaps the NFL could limit rule changes to address only the more dangerous aspects of the game, e.g. blitzing and blocking kicks, rather than completely tone it down into a football-themed ballet performance.

In addition, the Pro Bowl could borrow some ideas from NBA All-Star Weekend and MLB All-Star Week and add events like a celebrity game of two-hand touch or a field goal derby. Considering the economic boost it brings to the state, the Pro Bowl in Hawaii is something worth keeping. Fix it, don't discard it.

Makena Dyer Honolulu

Meals service saves kupuna

Every week we spend a few hours volunteering and use several gallons of gasoline a month for the Meals on Wheels program because we believe in the importance of the work we do. Recently we saw firsthand how important Meals on Wheels really is to Hawaii's kupuna.

It was a typical day. We went to the door to make our delivery, knocked and called out. Faintly, we heard the client respond that she was trying to get to the door but could not. An emergency contact person came and unlocked the door. The client had fallen and could not get up. We heated up her food, she ate and plans were made for Meals on Wheels to contact a family member.

We wondered about what would have happened if we had not come along when we did. At least once a week, these seniors who live alone have a familiar face, who not only brings food, but is a friendly social contact. Please continue to fund this vital service.

Isabelle Matsumoto Sandra Ing Kaneohe