Taxpayers deserve a refund for rail
Oahu is home to many different public transportation options for the vast population of locals, as well as arising from the need to provide transportation for the huge tourist population.
To combat the traffic on the roads and highways, a skyline rail system was created — a project that seemed like the answer to other methods of transportation and didn’t cause more traffic on an already crowded interstate.
With more than $10 billion poured into the project, the rail has not done anything it promised to deliver. Mind you, the money used to fund the rail came from tax =payer dollars.
The main reason is that the rail is inconvenient. It does not eliminate the need for the bus, because there’s only so few metro stops, so you still need to take the bus anyway to get to your destination.
So, the only thing it does is not cause traffic, but it doesn’t have a positive effect on the traffic speed, either, making it a net negative.
The people who have paid with their taxpayers’ money to fund the rail deserve some kind of refund.
Sam Tiong
Honolulu
Measure will help retain therapists
Facing anxiety, depression or trauma in Hawaii often means waiting up to six months for help, reflecting a dire shortage of mental health professionals.
Many qualified therapists leave for better opportunities elsewhere, deterred by outdated state licensing laws that prevent them from being paid until they’ve worked for free for a year or more.
State House Bill 1830 proposes a solution by granting temporary licenses to these therapists, enabling them to be compensated while gaining the necessary experience. This bill promises to expand training opportunities, bring more therapists into the workforce, and significantly reduce wait times for those in need.
However, HB 1830’s passage requires your action.
The mental health crisis waits for no one, and without this bill, we risk losing more talented therapists, further widening the gap in culturally responsive care.
Your voice is needed. Please get in touch with your Senator or House representative today and advocate for HB 1830.
Together, we can ensure accessible, affordable and equitable mental health care for all Hawaii.
John Souza, Jr.
Hilo