Honest contractors deserve the work
As construction activity in Hawaii continues to soar, there will undoubtedly be "bumps" along the way. However, some bumps are avoidable and needlessly subject the entire industry to undeserved scrutiny.The recent news that Nan Inc. has been awarded another military housing construction contract while its former president, Patrick Shin, awaits sentencing in federal court leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Shin pleaded guilty earlier this year to altering a bid document. However, the government decided that his resignation is enough to allow Nan Inc. to bid on new projects and perform contracts it secured previously.
This decision is unfair -- especially to the honest general contractors. Among these contractors are those who kept their doors open during tough times without resorting to fraud and the exploitation of loopholes. They employed as many workers as they could and continued to build Hawaii's homes, buildings and roads even though the pot of gold was nowhere in sight.
Whether you're a decision-maker for a multimillion-dollar housing project, vacation resort or single-family home, my hope is that you will award work to contractors with a history of integrity.
Managing director
Pacific Resource Partnership
Show was swamped as dam burst on concert
For the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and Chorus it was a lot of hard work that went right down the drain, so to speak, on Friday night and Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22 and 24). The concert hall was leaking something fierce and concert-goers were more than inconvenienced; the sounds of weeks of hard rehearsals by the chorus were all but drowned out by the constant drumming of cascades of water from a leaking roof -- during a concert!As if Friday night's leaking wasn't enough, the performance repeated itself last Sunday afternoon. Why wasn't the roof repaired before the next concert? Who is responsible for this unacceptable management of the concert hall?
The issue of a dangerous situation comes up in addition to a wasted effort by the symphony and chorus: Someone could have been injured by possibly slipping and falling on the wet floor, even tumbling down the stairs in the balcony area, especially since they were being relocated to different seats in a dark concert hall with only flashlights. Fortunately, no one was injured.
For me, a chorus member, it was just a waste of time and effort after much hard work. Who is to blame for all of this?
Honolulu Symphony Chorus
Military should pay for snake inspection
Thank you for your Oct. 26 editorial opinion and the Star-Bulletin's continued coverage on the problem of brown tree snakes and the threat they pose to Hawaii's wildlife.My question is this: If the increased problem is due to more military flights from Guam to Hawaii, then why can't the military be asked to pick up the tab for inspection of their planes? It seems to me that our military system is not under-funded, and should take responsibility for its actions and decisions in matters like these that impact upon the ecological balance of our state.
In fact, military personnel should be trained to do this inspection work to take some of the burden off the agriculture inspectors.
Kaneohe
State should restrict car ownership
If we have $500 million to fix all the highways and byways of Oahu, we have $500 million to catch up with the rest of the world and build a mass transit rail system.As someone else said recently, there are far too many vehicles pouring onto the streets with no end in sight and no restrictions on the number of vehicles per household. Giant SUVs are literally taking over, with a new monstrosity coming out every day it seems, with one person at the wheel of something that resembles a bus that could carry 20.
There is little if any rationale to this nightmare that's getting worse every single day. With no limits and seemingly constant additions, it's gone totally out of control. It would appear that the state and Department of Motor Vehicles don't recognize this. They should adopt some rules and for God's sake build a rail system.
Honolulu
Please vote "Yes" on proposed
City Charter amendments
On the election ballot tomorrow, voters will be asked to vote "yes" or "no" on four proposed City Charter amendments. I urge voters to say "yes" to each one. These amendments have been discussed at many public meetings and successfully adopted by the Honolulu City Council.
This proposed amendment provides more stability for operation of the Commission and its service to the neighborhood boards. The executive secretary and staff of the Neighborhood Commission are all appointed by the mayor. Adopting this amendment will place the staff of the Neighborhood Commission -- excluding the executive secretary's position -- within the civil service system and confer civil service status on the qualified incumbents.
2. "Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to require at least five of the nine appointees to the Neighborhood Commission to have served at least one full term on a neighborhood board?"
The second proposed amendment requires the majority of the Commission members to have served on a neighborhood board, helping ensure that experienced people are appointed to the Commission.
3. "Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to authorize the appointment of a temporary replacement for a Councilmember who, as a member of the military reserve or guard, is called to active duty for a period in excess of 180 consecutive days out of the State of Hawaii?"
There is now no provision for a temporary replacement of a Councilmember who is called to active duty. Under current legislation, if a Councilmember is called to active duty, the constituents of that district will not be represented in the Council. Acceptance of this proposed amendment would allow for the temporary replacement of a Councilmember, promoting continuity in city government and full representation of all residents of the city.
4. "Shall the Revised City Charter be amended as follows: (1) To specify that a charter commission be appointed after Nov. 1 every year ending in a "4," but before the immediate following Feb. 1; (2) To make an exception for the 2005 Charter Commission, which is intended to be appointed by Dec. 1, 2004; and (3) To make conforming amendments?"
Acceptance of this amendment would clearly establish the dates for the convening of a Charter Commission. If passed, the Commission will review the provisions of the City Charter and government operations and consider revisions to the Charter -- the governing document for the City and County of Honolulu -- and propose amendments in the 2006 election.
Council Chairman
City and County of Honolulu
