The homeless also need someplace to go

I can understand why we need parks for all to enjoy but how can City Councilman Djou say, as he does, that “;squatters”; must go (Star-Bulletin, March 9), without any place for these vulnerable people to “;live”; (be sheltered)? Why not set aside some land for tent villages or places for people to rest, with restrooms, showers, social help and security to help these folks get back on their feet? The homeless shelters are already full to the max and we don't seem to want to invest in any more costly shelters. We can't just ignore these people and hope they just disappear!

Let Big Island voters have public funding

Hawaii has a history of people who have access to lots of money taking advantage of those who don't have access to lots of money. Fair elections helps level the playing field.

Now we have the chance to allow Big Island candidates to spend less time raising money and more time listening to the people.

Given the economic situation, the responsible thing to do would be to enact Act 244 so that people start using the public funding program again. When taxpayers see that the public funding program is working, they will be more willing to donate $3 to the election fund again. Delaying the Fair Elections Act is fiscally irresponsible right now.

People can't override authority of God

It continues to astound me the number of people who insist on making a mockery of marriage. Despite the smokescreen utilized by referring to the “;civil union”; bill, it is simply a watered-down version of same-sex marriage.

Despite allegations that this is an equal rights issue, it is actually a matter of people thinking they are entitled to something to which they are not entitled. People who are demanding the right to marry people of their own genders have simply made a conscious choice to have romantic involvement with their partners. A lifestyle choice is not equated with demanding equality regardless of race or gender.

I have known people of both genders who have chosen to live homosexual lives. Despite my compassion for them, I feel a moral responsibility to take a stand in defense of a sacred and holy estate.

We can continue to honor the separation of church and state by not making marriage a political issue. It was ordained by God dating back to Adam and Eve and should be treated as such. Until somebody can unequivocally prove that he or she has more authority than God we must focus on keeping marriage as God intended it to be.

France has no problem with civil unions

Is the current debate about civil unions in the Legislature really about same-sex couples or are there wider implications that are not being properly examined?

France passed a civil unions law several years ago that was gender neutral. Heterosexual and same-sex couples were both entitled to benefits from which they had previously been excluded. They received tax treatment equal to those who were united by traditional marriage, and the civil union could be easily terminated if both of the parties agreed in writing not to receive compensation in the form of cash or property.

Last year, 98 percent of the couples that had been united by civil unions were heterosexuals. The large numbers of heterosexuals were attracted because the agreements were easily dissolved and messy divorces, property and custody settlements were easily avoided. Obviously, the French legal system also benefited from the reduction in contested divorces.

Even traditional marriage benefited because, after the reassurance of living together, a number of heterosexuals opted for traditional marriage.

What's the rationale for empty library?

Sunday's article about the new Manoa Library raises a question. The article said the new library will be double the size of the existing library and it will be able to house 100,000 books, but the shelves will be three-fourths empty without $1 million to purchase additional books. If funds aren't available to purchase new books, then why discard or donate somewhere else 25,000 existing books, about half of the existing collection? I believe libraries are important, and I'm not familiar with this specific project, but in a time of tight budgets, there needs to be a questioning attitude: Why make the need larger than it has to be?