Short-term rentals harm neighborhoods

Illegal vacation rentals are hurting our communities. City Council Resolution 186 requires disclosures in advertisements with the purpose of enforcing current law. On Oahu's North Shore, long-term rentals have become scarce as houses are converted to transient vacation units. Residents wonder when the house next door might convert with new occupants every few days. Thirty-day rentals are legal; rentals of less than 30 days are against the law in most circumstances.

As I understand the resolution to repeal the prohibition against bed & breakfasts, it does not require the owner to live on site, only an "operator or proprietor." This is a mini-hotel. To prevent the opening of a new B&B, the provision requires 75 percent of neighbors within 500 feet to formally object. One neighbor should be enough.

Zoning laws are a big factor in where we choose to live. Our homes are special places to many of us. Commercial interests should not be allowed to spoil that and change forever the character of our residential neighborhoods.

We all win with some church-state pacts

As a born-and-raised Kalihi boy, viewing underutilized resources like Sand Island Park and the Kapalama drainage canal has generally disappointed me. However, with the recent clearing of the mangroves in the canal and the potential cleanup of the park by New Hope Christian Fellowship, I have "new hope."

I believe in the separation of church and state. But if a partnership can be achieved based on shared objectives, then this one should be evaluated.

Although I have no religious affiliation, I hope that both the American Civil Liberties Union and the Sierra Club can look at the bigger picture when addressing this potential win-win solution. Democracy fosters compromise. Let's advance the democratic process.

UH-Manoa is better off without chancellor

So, University of Hawaii-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert's contract won't be renewed (Star-Bulletin, June 23). Hurray!

I've never been a fan of his, especially after he "expropriated" most of newly renovated Hawaii Hall's third floor so he could house his empire. This was done at the expense of several Social Science deans whose offices are spread over the campus. Original plans were for them to be in Hawaii Hall.

His latest egregious act was his negligent oversight of Evan Dobelle's research contract to do a study for the Regional Planning Department.

Congratulations to President McClain for his forthright evaluation of Englert. McClain has shown further evidence that he should be appointed president officially, not just acting.

Reserve police officers could relieve shortage

Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa recently advised the City Council that it might be necessary to cut nonessential services such as traffic enforcement and parking lot patrols at University of Hawaii football games unless more officers are recruited. I called HPD to ask about the police reserve program and was told the chief had discontinued it.

In the past, police reservists filled in for regular officers by providing noncritical public safety services. The use of citizen volunteer reservists is a logical alternative to cutting back on these services.

The chief's desire to increase manpower while maintaining a high degree of professionalism and training is admirable. Nevertheless, he should consider less costly alternatives such as the use of police reservists in order to avoid cutting services.

Aliens must be controlling our minds

There are extraterrestrials on Earth who are mischievously targeting the United States. They are employing a psychoactive drug that affects judgment. I know the aliens are messing with our minds, because there are two active phenomena in the United States that make no earthly sense:

» Michael Jackson continues to experience a level of public support and the adoration of a great many fans.

» President Bush continues to enjoy the support and approval of millions.

Regarding Jackson, only a psychoactive drug could transform his perversion into perfectability. The alien drug is a powerful devotion-potion drawn from the recognition of Jackson's considerable talent. The potion then brings on idol worship, which blinds Jackson's fans to his perversion.

The Bush phenomenon has a similar etiology. The mind-altering drug has made Bush's deceptions about Iraq appear to be acceptable and excusable executive prerogatives. In contrast to Jackson, however, President Bush presents the aliens with a much more daunting task. Jackson fouled the lives of a few; Bush is devastating the lives of thousands.

When we search for meaning for the loss of lives of our troops, we are drawn to patriotism. There is a force that would like to confuse our understanding of patriotism. By definition, patriotism is the love of country, not allegiance to a political leader (who might be the cause of our losses). Capitalizing on this confusion, Bush has hijacked our patriotism and offered himself as the personification of our nation.

I attribute this lack of judgment to extraterrestrial intervention because it is too painful to believe that so many of my fellow citizens lack common sense.

Destroying Harris' book would be waste

City Managing Director Jeff Coelho's proposal to burn 3,500 copies of the 2004 book "Renaissance of Honolulu" is chilling. Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi says the book is not fit to represent Honolulu properly. She calls it "embarrassing."

Kobayashi should explain to taxpayers who funded this book why it is embarrassing.

According to Councilwoman Barbara Marshall, the 220-page coffee table book, which showcases in wonderful color pictures the communities of Honolulu, should be handed out at next month's National Association of Counties conference. This sounds like a great idea.

The book may not make the best book list, but I found it interesting. I think Honolulu's visitors will enjoy reading it, too.

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