Green tax credit leaves out seniors
Recurring newspaper advertisements by Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) say that tax credits are available for solar electric systems, but they don't mention that many seniors are excluded.
Last year, the state Legislature provided a much needed increase in the photovoltaic tax credit to 35 percent or $5,000 of the cost of residential systems.
The legislation that was passed, however, has caused a problem for many retired senior citizen homeowners who would like to put a photovoltaic system on their homes. The problem is that many such seniors have little or no state income tax liability because of the exemption of retirement income.
So we now have no tax incentive program for these seniors who may want to install a system, even though we have it for non-seniors.
To be fair, legislation needs to be introduced and adopted to make this tax credit "refundable" for seniors who do not have the necessary tax liability from which to take the credit. Perhaps HECO will lead the effort.
Charles Prentiss
Kailua
Homeless people can be rude
I read in Kokua Line (
Aug. 14;
Aug. 20) that there is no law against homeless people using the benches at bus stops.
There should be. How ludicrous that elderly and handicapped people must stand while a homeless person gets to sprawl out on the only bench available. Poverty is no excuse for rudeness, and to my mind it is just plain rude for non-bus riders to take over a bench meant for riders.
I also see no excuse for the homeless not to bathe. A bar of soap is cheap and outdoor showers are available, plus there are indoor sinks in our parks. Clothes could be washed by hand, and a change of clothing purchased cheaply at thrift shops.
Martie Wright
Honolulu
Closed Council meets are in public's interest
Your
July 22 editorial sided with Councilman Charles Djou for releasing confidential information presented to us by the city's corporation counsel, citing the public's "right to know."
While I have always fought to make our legislative process as open to the public as possible, there are times when it is in the best interest of the city for certain information to remain confidential until a formal vote on a particular settlement is finalized.
State law allows the City Council to adjourn into executive session to "consult with the board's attorney (corporation counsel) on questions and issues pertaining to the board's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities." Once a final vote is taken the information will be made public.
I and seven other responsible Council members chose to put the city's taxpayers' interests ahead of our own personal or political agendas by keeping the information confidential until a formal vote could be taken and a final settlement amount could be agreed upon by all parties of the suit.
You find it easy to fix blame to politicians for any shortcomings you find in the political process, always citing freedom of the press and the "public's right to know." The bottom line is that your paper couldn't care less if the taxpayers' money is put at risk if it means you get a better story that will sell more newspapers.
Rod Tam
City Councilman
District VI (Nuuanu)
To firefighters and crews, a big mahalo
I would like to offer my thank you to all those firefighters and related crews who helped in controlling and finally containing the Kaukonahua-Waialua wildfire.
I watched as the flames on our neighbor's ranch about 300 to 500 yards from our property. It was very unnerving to witness. However, having two fire engines on our road to watch over the situation was reassuring.
Once again a big mahalo.
Bob Haglund
Honolulu
Tobacco tax hike could pay for healthcare
A story in the Aug. 1 paper reported that people who smoked only marijuana were 17.6 percent less likely to develop emphysema than those who smoked only cigarettes.
It further stated that if you smoked cigarettes and marijuana, the marijuana apparently reduced the risk of emphysema by 2.6 percent
A letter in the July 28 paper mentioned the proposed raising of federal cigarette taxes by 61 cents per pack.We know that cigarettes directly kill 186,000 people per year and yet we are reluctant to make them illegal as this would only create yet another blackmarket for the drug lords.
I propose that we raise cigarette taxes by $5 per pack to help offset the cost of health care needed for those dying of emphysema and cancer. Further, I propose that we lift prohibition on marijuana, which is obviously much less dangerous than tobacco and tax it at the rate of $20 per pack.
Call it a "sin" tax. At least then, marijuana would really be a "controlled substance." Right now, the drug lords control it, and they don't ask if you're over 21.
Alan R. Wehmer
Kaneohe