Team's gross behavior must be punished

As a recently retired Kahuku High School teacher, I am appalled at the disgraceful and disgusting behavior exhibited by some members of Kahuku's football team in the locker room the night of the championship game (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 23). It only takes a few bad eggs to tarnish a reputation. In my 13 years at Kahuku, I have found the majority of students to be well behaved and respectful.

Let's hope the coach and principal have provided appropriate consequences to those found responsible for spreading feces on the shower walls.

Some of us just can't afford higher taxes

I am outraged by Mayor Hannemann's decision and support to increase property taxes (Star-Bulletin, Dec. 21). My mother's taxes increased by 48 percent! She is 72 years old and on a fixed income. Like many others, how does the mayor expect the elderly and middle class to afford such a dramatic increase?

We already live in a ridiculously taxed-out state. Whenever the mayor speaks at functions, addressing the elderly and working class, he always mentions his humble beginnings. I guess that's what politicians do best -- hook, line and sinker. All of them need to get off of their high horses, open their eyes and address some of the real problems that will continue to increase as a result of their actions and decisions -- homelessness!

By the way, my mom and I would like to thank the mayor for the Christmas notice from the City & County of Honolulu. His timing is impeccable! Have a Merry Christmas while many of us deal with this trying burden during the holiday season.

Higher property tax exemption would help

In 1951 our government provided an annual property tax exemption of $40,000. At the time it was a substantial sum for those whom owned and occupied their homes. The amount remains unchanged to this day. Isn't it time to increase that exemption rather than deal with countless appeals or other Band-Aid solutions?

Shooting them in leg leaves hands free

In reference to "Authorities are using too much force" (Letters, Star-Bulletin, Dec. 17), I have to say this: If I'm a suicide bomber and you shoot me in the leg, I'll just go ahead and fire up the bomb!

Think about it!

Picture a future held hostage by transit

Oahu in the fall of 2020: Honolulu-to-Kapolei subway system celebrates its sixth anniversary. Despite fare cuts, average daily ridership of 38,000 refuses to budge. Oahu-only excise and income taxes continue to increase to pay for the system. Vehicular traffic continues to increase in H-1 corridor.

Mimicking their union brethren in Washington, D.C., and New York City, Oahu transit workers walk out the day before Thanksgiving demanding annual wages exceeding the $250,000 average pay of Hawaii's dockworkers. Gridlock ensues. Economic losses to Oahu are up to $200 million a day. Governor Abercrombie snarls that "they didn't build it big enough in the first place." U.S. Rep. Hannemann posits that "we should have had grander schemes back then." Senators Case and Lingle seek more federal money to extend the subway. Strike is settled on New Year's Eve, with the average annual, pre-overtime transit worker wage set at $248,000.

Ordinary citizens ask, how did we get into this mess? Some recall 2005.

Mayor has taken steps to improve roadways

In answer to James Day's concern (Letters, Dec. 18) about the increase in motor vehicle registration fees: The city raised the vehicle weight tax, effective next Monday, from two cents per pound to three cents per pound. The reason for this hike, as Mr. Day pointed out, was the condition of our roads, which have suffered from too many years of deferred maintenance.

We are now playing a game of catch-up to fill potholes and repave streets sorely in need of attention. The burden of paying for those repairs falls mostly on those who use the streets most: motorists.

Despite Mr. Day's cynicism, the revenues are earmarked by law to be collected and deposited in the city's Highway Fund. That money is used exclusively for the following: construction, improvement, repair, and maintenance of public streets and highways, including storm drains or bridges; installation, maintenance and repair of street lights; public safety personnel connected with traffic control and safety; payment for bonds issued to finance road construction; mass transit; and bikeways. Those are the only valid expenses your motor vehicle taxes may underwrite.

Story showed how focus brings achievement

Your Dec. 5 article on Kaman Oliveira and her rise to a supervisory position on a tour vessel was excellent. I immediately forwarded it to my daughter as an example of a young woman who focused on where she wanted to be and achieved that goal.

So often the newspapers and business publications in Hawaii feature the same people in the same positions who serve on the same board of directors with the same awards from the same business organizations. Too much sameness.

Instead, you broke out of the mold and featured someone who has risen through the ranks on sheer hard work. The great majority of work-a-day folks in Hawaii will identify with Kaman, and she is definitely a role model for many.