ELEVATED SYSTEM A GREAT FIT, OFFERS MUCH

The city's rail transit project is the direction that we need to take to provide O'ahu with a tangible alternative for our island's worsening traffic situation. I am continually impressed as I work on this project as it supports our island community by working with more than a dozen local architectural firms; creates a special partnership with residents along the route to incorporate community-suggested design elements into each rail station; honors the Hawaiian culture and heritage by enveloping important cultural elements into the design and meaning of the project; and creates thousands of jobs during economically challenging times.

O'ahu's proposed 20-mile elevated rail project is a sound system. It means that island residents will have a fast, dependable and on-time system; it will be accident-free, since it will not interact with ground-level traffic, pedestrians and intersection activity; it's a third less costly to operate, since it doesn't require a driver (like at-grade systems); and its impact on neighborhoods means that tracks will not have to run down the middle of the street, impacting more property owners than what's proposed. An elevated system offers us so much more.

Eran Birnbaum, RA, LEED AP | Architect, Parsons Brinckerhoff

NATIONAL PARKS

MAHALO TO PBS FOR SHARING GREAT SERIES

It is with great pleasure that I extend a hearty mahalo to PBS Hawaii for sharing with its viewers the six-episode series, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," a film by Ken Burns. This documentary is truly one of the most educational and inspirational programs I have ever seen on television. Front and center is some of the most spectacular scenery on our planet, and it belongs to all of us.

Two of Hawai'i's national parks are included in the series, as well.

There are so many television programs from which to choose, but this film should be a must-see for children and adults of all ages. Nice job, PBS!

Debby McGraw | Honolulu

PALI TRAFFIC

BETTER ADVISORY ON LANE CLOSURES NEEDED

Pali Highway was the scene of a very unfortunate day for drivers town-bound for over eight hours Saturday, Sept. 26. It was terrible and wasted countless hours for those who were victims without any escape routes. HECO had the two right lanes blocked to install a new transformer on the town side, which caused the problem. What could have been done better? Post signs on the Kailua side before cars were committed to Pali, advising of the heavy construction and suggesting H-3 as an alternative. Also post police at all Windward-side entries to Pali to advise drivers of the situation and options. We can do better than this, folks.

Ken Wiecking | Kailua

TEACHER FURLOUGH

LOSS WILL HURT OUR 'BEST HOPE FOR FUTURE'

President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, believed that children are the world's most important natural resource and our best hope for the future. Evidently, our governor and Legislature don't agree.

I have worked first as a teacher and then as a nationally certified school psychologist for 40 years. Since moving to O'ahu 14 years ago, I have worked part-time in our public schools and witnessed our beautiful "rainbow kids" trying to learn, and teachers staunchly struggling to assist them with minimal supplies, support and resources. Loss of school days, as well as depletion of staff such as school librarians, tutors and extra curricular programs, will negatively impact our children's educational future.

Longitudinal research has demonstrated positive impact on elementary students' academic performance, when programs such as Raising Healthy Children that focus on promoting positive youth development, reducing risk factors and preventing adolescent problem behaviors are instituted.

As a professional child advocate, I strongly urge the state Board of Education, the DOE superintendent and the governor to re-evaluate their moral and fiscal priorities and assist our children in the public schools toward achieving educational excellence.

Joanne Shapiro, M.S., NCSP | Honolulu

B&BS

OPPONENTS TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY

Thank you, Eric Epling, for your letter (Sept. 28). You so accurately described the Keep It Kailua attitude and tactics. Everyone knows that a B&B is not a hotel. They are trying to scare people with such tactics and causing our island to change, not be kept the same. There are many lovely B&Bs that provide a needed option for our tourists. I like them in the area; it adds a nice flavor. If we get rid of B&Bs as the group would like, we are going to change our island, not keep it the same.

Susy Kuehner | Kailua