It is very sad to read how our Children’s Discovery Center is struggling in large part due to the homeless situation right next to it (“Children’s center struggling as homeless troubles persist,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 20).

We seem to care more about people breaking the law than families who are paying the taxes for the beautiful parks and museums. Let us follow the command in Leviticus 19: “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”

It is correct to judge and discipline folks who litter and vandalize. They must be held accountable for their actions. Otherwise the Children’s Discoery Center will be another homeless encampment.

Cynthia Lebowitz

Waikiki

Amendment wrongly backs caged animals

I understand paying taxes for roads and for the police and fire departments. Could someone on your staff explain what city taxpayer benefit is derived from caged animals?

There is absolutely nothing educational or recreational about it, so it must be for someone’s amusement. Does the city run movie theaters at my expense as well?

Saying “no” to City Charter Amendment 9, which funds the Honolulu Zoo, will take the City and County of Honolulu out of the amusement park business. Maybe someday we will get out of the transportation business, too. But I doubt it.

Carl L. Jacobs

Aiea

Special tax category strains equality

That Residential A tax classification does seem to have some equal-protection-of-the-law problems.

We all pay by categories: residential, hotel, commercial, agriculture, conservation, and by assessed property value minus such exemptions for age, owner-occupancy and historic property.

Some pay more than others in their category, but always based on assessed value, not the tax rate.

To do otherwise (as in Residential A) might be to say one pays a higher rate for a Kahala beachfront home than for one on Hakimo Road in Waianae (although I saw an advertised house for sale there for $900,000).

Or a higher rate for an ocean view than in Sheridan Tract.

Or a higher rate for a luxury hotel than for an ordinary one.

Owners of multi-million-dollar residences should and do pay more because of the assessments. The tax rate should remain equal within the categories. Creating that special residential category to justify doubling the tax rate strains equality.

Robert Jones

Waialae-Kahala

Feline-friends efforts won’t be forgotten

National Feral Cat Day was Oct. 16 and Catfriends, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, sponsored a spay-neuter clinic at which more than 200 feral cats were spayed, neutered and microchipped.

I would like to acknowledge the amazing veterinarians, vet techs, volunteers and colony caretakers who participated. Their efforts provide a much-needed service to the community by humanely reducing the number of feral cats through the widely accepted Trap, Neuter, Return and Manage (TNRM) methodology.

Colleen Haviland

Haleiwa

Pay inequality exists for LGBT community

This month marks the observance of LGBT History and National Coming Out Day. While much has been written about the gender equity gap, it’s important to shine a light on the equality gap that also exists for those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community.

In 2015, the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy (based in the UCLA School of Law), conducted a meta-analysis of the incomes of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. The study found gay and bisexual men were paid 10 to 32 percent less than their heterosexual counterparts. Lesbians were paid more than straight women, but less than gay/bisexual men. Trans women also find that their pay is lower.

AAUW’s mission calls for equity for all. Pay should be equal no matter what your sex or sexual orientation — we hope one day, pay, education and opportunities will be truly equal.

Zoila Castañeda

AAUW Honolulu

Dr. Susan J. Wurtzburg

AAUW Hawaii

Trump lies, is bad for foreign relations

I was shocked to read Kenneth Ikenaga’s letter regarding Donald Trump in which he stated, “He doesn’t lie” (“Clinton’s actions didn’t affect just her,” Star-Advertiser, Oct. 17).

Trump has repeatedly said “wrong” when people quote him or paraphrase what he has said in interviews or speeches. He is on record saying these things and he denies them. How is that not lying? Also, fact-checkers have said he lies about every three minutes in his speeches.

As for saying that Trump is better for our country’s safety, how can a man who cannot control his temper when people are critical of him be good at controlling his temper when dealing with foreign countries? How will he deal with Mexico to make them build a wall? How will he deal with the crazy leader of North Korea? How can he deal with the leader of the Philippines, who seems to be moving to divorce his country from America and better its relations with China?

If Trump becomes president, I can see us at war with all those countries.

Terrence Ching

Palolo

Rail system will never alleviate traffic

What is going on with our leadership? Investigations here and there, and a costly resignation of the executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.

Our politicians are looking forward again to increasing our taxes to support the rail project. From Kapolei to Pearl City and Aloha Stadium, the structure looks like a giant snake towering 30 feet or more above the ground. People voted for rail to alleviate traffic — no more, no less. Some will be satisfied, but rail riders will suffer because it will require multiple rides, including on the bus. Drivers will continue driving. Overall, the rail system will never alleviate traffic.

Felino B. Damo

Waianae