Troubled youth need help, not bigger prison

I felt frustrated when I read the Oct. 13 article regarding Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to address overcrowding by expanding youth correctional facilities and putting them on all of the islands. Our society needs to end its dependence on youth incarceration.

I am a true believer that there should be consequences for the actions of these youths, but I don't believe that youth prisons are the answer for drug-related and non-violent crimes. By placing our troubled children in this environment, are we not exposing them to people and surroundings that will have a negative impact on their futures, and lessen their chances of being productive, healthy citizens?

We need to offer more basic life skills classes, more counseling, and fill our children with pride, morals and values. We need to set the example, not throw away the key.

Going after homeless isn't cost-effective

Recently in Waikiki, I couldn't help but watch the morning Honolulu Police Department sweep along the beach to go after hardened criminals such as illegal campers, or that is what they call them anyway.

It took seven squad cars to cite one particular camper with the usual $25 fine. These officers were there for at least one hour to do the deed.

Seven times the average officer's pay for an hour must be at least $100 or more, which means that ticket for $25 actually caused the city to lose $75, as well as taking valuable cruisers offline for a pup tent. Hum, watz up with that?

Mufi heard concerns about isle homeless

As Oahu welcomes its next mayor, Mufi Hannemann, there are those among us who would like to say mahalo for listening to us during the campaign.

Hannemann took the time to meet with us to discuss his views and share some thoughts, and for that we are grateful. We look forward to working with him to turn our citizens' awareness into actions that could one day end homelessness in Hawaii. The member agencies of Partners In Care have offered to work closely with Hannemann to find solutions that will lead to finding homes for all of our citizens and families.

To join us, even if only to work toward something as simple as urging businesses and offices to unlock their restroom doors, please visit us at www.hawaiihomeless.com --especially now when Homeless Awareness Week is next week (Nov. 14-20), as proclaimed by current mayor, Jeremy Harris.

Media should be watchdogs for police

The lead editorial in the Oct. 29 Star-Bulletin, "Police, media need not be adversaries," got me thinking. The Honolulu Police Department is a government-protected monopoly. Customer citizens have virtually no alternatives. If the police do a poor job or are rude, crude and indifferent, those customers cannot pull their funding and move the service to a competitor. If the customer is powerless, who is watching? The City Council? Last time I attended a hearing of the city committee that "oversees" the police, I was treated to the spectacle of every member of the committee bowing and genuflecting to then-Assistant Chief Boisse Correa, seemingly trying to curry his favor. The committee head repeatedly observed that Honolulu possessed the finest police department in the nation (looking to Boisse for approval each time).

If the Council is not going to help protect the public from sloppy policing, who will?

Looks to me like the headline and editorial should have reflected a watchdog mentality. Further, they (as well as the City Council) should be asking tough questions and demanding answers. That's the duty of the media.

Best wishes to newly elected senator

Congratulations to Democratic Sen.-elect Clayton Hee. I wish him, and the good people of Senate District 23 (Kahuku-Kaneohe), the best of luck. Mahalo to all those who supported my campaign. Aloha!

Editor's note: Republican Jim Henshaw ran against Clayton Hee in the general election.