Unsafe drainage will pollute area

We applaud efforts to try and clean up Maunalua Bay, but it's futile unless we get rid of cesspools and septic tanks that drain into the bay. Unknown to most residents, virtually all of Black Point, Kahala and Wailupe Circle contain these outdated environmental risks.

As this represents some of the wealthiest and most expensive areas on Oahu, we find it ridiculous that the residents do not get together to connect to the main sewer lines. In the case of Black Point, it's even more ridiculous as they had a chance several years ago but turned it down, even though it required a small pumping station. The cost to the residents was nominal, especially for such a wealthy area. You can hold all the cleanups you want, but until it's addressed it's all moot as the nitrate levels will increase due to untreated human waste.

We hope that something can be done to correct this.

Bulky items bill not practical

Bill 78 has been introduced in the City Council to fine us heavily for putting out bulky items too soon. I think this is a very bad bill.

First, few people know when the truck will arrive in their area to pick up bulky items. Fewer still know how to get the information — and the “;hotline”; is confusing. If this bill is about changing behavior, it fails.

Second, it would be difficult to prove in court who put out a bulky item. If someone leaves it in front of your house, that doesn't mean you put it out. Neither the prosecutor nor the courts need the burden of enforcement of Bill 78. Nor does the public need the city to grab for our money with new fines.

Leadership is key to homeless issue

Your editorial supports the River Street project (”;Better 'homeless' policy needed,”; Star-Bulletin, Dec. 5).

As a caring community we need to develop a comprehensive public health prevention strategy to address our human needs: 1) To prevent homelessness; 2) To provide housing and jobs to those who need shelter immediately; and 3) To rehabilitate the chronically homeless.

Before we copy best practices from the mainland where the weather is freezing, we need to know if the services we now provide serve the greatest numbers effectively. We need to know what more we can do before we spend $5 million just to plan the “;housing first”; project for 100 chronically homeless. And when built, will we also be able to provide enough support services for these residents?

We need a plan for this complex community problem to know whom we are serving (physically disabled, severely mentally ill, drug addicts, as well as women and children). We need to know how all the health and social service providers will work together and who will be paying for the services (federal, state, city, private foundations, families and individual donors).

We need to be realistic. We need to prioritize. We need bold leadership.

Shelters should be spread out

I am in total support of city action toward reducing Oahu's homeless population, and to distinguish between those to remain permanently on welfare and those to become productive citizens again.

I believe developing all future shelters in low-crime, stable communities like Waialae, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and Kailua, for example, would lessen downtown crime, reduce criminal activity islandwide and, especially, provide a healthier environ- ment for rehabilitating the homeless.

It would be a mistake to increase the density of shelters in Kalihi, Chinatown and Waianae.