Property owners need 'Mayor' Bainum

After property owners received our eye-opening property tax assessment increase, there was talk (just political talk) by the city of some sort of relief this year. Now they say that relief won't come till 2007 (Star-Bulletin, Jan 21).

To add insult to injury to our pocket book, the new Mayor Hannemann wants the taxpayer to "bite the bullet" and pay for an increase in the sewage fee (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 4).

I'm glad I made the correct, but difficult choice in the November 2004 election by voting for Duke Bainum.

Melvin Partido Sr.
Pearl City

No relief in sight for Honolulu taxpayers

Apparently any discussion at the City Council regarding property tax relief for this year is dead. It seems to have fallen off everybody's radar screen.

Now we have Mayor Hannemann telling us that we are looking at increases in fees for virtually every service the city provides, and some new fees as well (Star-Bulletin, Feb. 4). Your Feb. 7 editorial correctly points out that the city will have increased revenues because of increases in property valuations.

It wasn't worded strongly enough though. I'm wondering how the mayor can look us in the eye and say that he needs to increase fees in the face of the record revenues the city will be collecting through property taxes.

The mayor has a long list of things he wants to fix. I suggest that they don't all have to be fixed at once. Taking that route wouldn't require as much of a demand for tax dollars.

One thing I haven't seen on the mayor's list is restoration of the satellite city halls that were closed a couple of years ago. That should fit in with his desire to end commutes to town to do business with the city, especially for routine matters.

Bill Nelson
Haleiwa

Beach smoking ban is a great idea

The proposal to ban smoking on beaches is long overdue. It should also extend the ban to national parks such as Haleakala Crater on Maui. On our trip last October, we found the situation on cigarette butt litter getting worse. We made the effort to bag 17 butts on the trail above the parking area and got the park ranger's attention.

She thanked us, but the desecration of the scenic beauty of Hawaii still remains as a memory of our visit. Get the Hawaii Tourist Bureau and organizations dependent on the tourists to get the message out that littering is not acceptable behavior in paradise.

Bill Nakaue
Turnersville, N.J.

Mayor should take bow for new bandmaster

I commend Mayor Mufi Hannemann for having the integrity to follow though on his word to appoint a new director for the Royal Hawaiian Band.

He could've followed previous mayors, avoided controversy and not named a replacement. Instead, he has shown courage and leadership by following the candidate selection process despite adverse propaganda that tried to pressure him to do otherwise. He has shown strength to withstand special interest groups, and political pressure.

The new conductor, Michael Nakasone, comes to the band with a very impressive resume, a proven track record of musical achievements and decades of music and teaching experience. He is, in many ways, just like most members of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Although not of native Hawaiian ancestry, he is born and raised in Hawaii, with local values, and has genuine respect for the Royal Hawaiian Band as an institution.

Bravo to our mayor.

Eric Kop
Musician, Royal Hawaiian Band Shop Steward
Hawaii Government Employees Association, Unit 3

Please consider transit complications

I hope our legislators and governor have the vision to connect the dots between two issues currently under discussion and a third -- transit.

Jerry Chang has raised the issue of road tests for drivers over 75. The dotted line here is that it will be much easier for anyone, including seniors, to give up driving if there is a good alternative.

By the time any transit plans are implemented we will have a huge number of retired people, so any transit solution must address their needs.

The second issue is affordable housing. As recent house hunters will attest, there is a definite correlation between affordability and proximity to job centers. Thus, "affordable" housing developments will almost by definition be located far from job centers and will exacerbate our traffic problems.

To build additional housing developments without planning and building in any allowance for transportation other than car or bus would be irresponsible. Wide medians on thoroughfares and reserving rights of way for possible future transit development must be part of the affordable housing discussion.

Nobu Nakamoto
Aiea

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Seeking state symbols

Hawaii has a state bird, a state fish and a state flower. What other symbols should the Aloha State have? For example, should we have a state insect? If so, what should it be? Or how about a state bento? Come up with your own categories and share them with Star-Bulletin readers.