Red tape won't feed Hawaii's hungry
Regarding "Suspending the rules to feed the homeless jeopardizes public health" by Marcus Oshiro (
"Another View," Star-Bulletin, May 21): I was stunned to see that the House Finance Committee chairman would publicly disseminate such a poorly constructed and obtuse opinion.
Wasn't this the same man who offered unregulated food to his guests and constituents on Opening Day at the Legislature?
If his concerns are about "homeless" and "public health" are genuine, then why don't I see him being a part of the solution? How often has he served a meal to a homeless or hungry person? Has he ever been in the situation of not having a meal or knowing where the next meal will come from? I doubt it.
Taking care of those in our community from the heart without all the red tape has been a part of the heart of our society for probably as long as humans existed. There are good Samaritan laws in place to protect those who serve.
What research and how many incidents can Oshiro name to show that those who have taken food to those in need has caused others harm or illness, especially intentionally?
To remove such a bill in the name of safety to me is basically saying that those who do take the time, heart and resources to help others do not care enough to ensure that the food they serve is safe. That's basically unrealistic and a slap to those who are a part of the solution.
If he really is concerned about safety, then I suggest instead of taking away the ability to be a part of the solution he create and support ways to better the issues. Maybe the groups that feed the homeless and the needy could register with the Department of Health and the DOH could go to the site where they pass out food and check it from time to time without the cost and red tape.
I realize publicly stating my opinion on this issue may have its consequences, but I speak my heart and I can live with that. Our group has done this for 20 years and we are thankful not to have all the extra cost and obstacles to continue being a part of the solution.
Sharon Black
President Kau Kau Wagon
Overdevelopment is destroying Maui
I have lived in Hawaii all my life. I am so thankful to have grown up in such a naturally beautiful place, and I would like for my children and their children to be able to say the same. I am very concerned that this will not be possible after reading in your paper about all the development in our beloved Hawaii nei.
The bones of our ancestors are being bulldozed over, shoreline access is getting more and more restricted and now Honolua Bay is being threatened. Maui Land and Pineapple Co. would like to make a golf course and 40 luxury homes on the undeveloped lands overlooking Honolua Bay! This will finish off the dying reef and create urban sprawl in our rural country. It is places like Honolua that make Hawaii Hawaii.
We cannot develop every last piece of open shoreline. What will be left of our culture? How will our future generations interact with nature as their ancestors before them did?
What is the legacy we leave behind for our keiki to inherit? Please help us to save Honolua -- www.savehonolua.org.
Tam Paltin
Secretary
Save Honolua Coalition
Kahana, Maui
Oust councilmen who picked Salt Lake route
Don't be afraid to let the people know how to recall their Honolulu City Council members if they feel that those Council members have not served them well.
If they believe that Council members Romy Cachola, Todd Apo, Nestor Garcia, Gary Okino or Rod Tam did not serve them well by blackmailing the citizens by insisting that the proposed rail line go through Salt Lake instead of to the airport, Waikiki and the University of Hawaii, then they have legal recourse: RECALL!
I urge all voters to go to: www.co.honolulu.hi.us/refs/rch/rcindex.htm. Then click on Article XII, Sections 12-102 and 12-103 to learn how to start petitions to have these Council members recalled for not doing their fiduciary duty, for wasting millions of dollars of taxpayers' money that was spent on research and recommendations for the rail line route and for being more interested in being re-elected in their private fiefdoms than serving the people of Oahu as a whole.
Douglas Olivares
Honolulu
Let mainland deal with our junk cars
Driving along the H-1 freeway Friday afternoon convinced me that Oahu does have problems when it comes to traffic.
Someone needs to take all of these abandoned vehicles and ship them to the mainland. Presently, there are too many vehicles.
Jude Waterman
Honolulu
Don't reward those who break our laws
The bipartisan amnesty proposal for more than 12 million illegal immigrants is totally unacceptable and must not become the law of the land. I urge all GOP senators and Congress members to vote no on this legislation -- no amnesty to be granted to these illegal immigrants, now or ever.
This bill would create the largest expansion of welfare and entitlements expenditures in the history of the country. We must start enforcing the immigration laws that are on the books and send these illegals back to their country of origin. Amnesty must not be granted under any circumstances.
Some say you cannot deport 12 million-plus illegals. I say, why not? Let's just start rounding them up and shipping them back out of here. Senate Bill 1348 must be defeated now.
Al Eisner
Frequent Hawaii visitor
Wheaton, Md.
Hold pols accountable for skyrocketing taxes
Congratulations on your perceptive opinion, "Sleight of hand won't lower property taxes" (
Star-Bulletin, May 20). City property tax increases have been out of control, but the city administration and Honolulu City Council continue to use Mickey Mouse schemes to make it appear the opposite.
The fair way to figure taxes is to look at the new assessments, figure what the new real property rates would have to be to raise the same amount of money as the previous year, add in inflation and set the rates accordingly.
I have sent several letters to members of the Council on this subject, but, except for Charles Dijou, they do not reply. Also, when they raise taxes on commercial property it is passed on to property owners. And how about people who rent and can't afford to own property? The proposed plan will put even more pressure for rent increases.
Property taxes on our residence have increased 105 percent in five years, while during the same period the taxes on a rental we have owned for 34 years have increased 252 percent. I am sure these examples are rather typical. Our politicians have a stewardship to serve their constituents fairly and they have failed miserably. Voters need to clean house at the polls at the next election.
Charles Scott
Honolulu