“Monster homes” will be the answer to Honolulu’s cries for affordable housing as long as there is a need.

Single-family dwellings house working families that are most often extended families with multiple individuals having differing needs. No wonder homes require many rooms and bathrooms.

With today’s healthy longevity, families include the elderly, adults and children of several generations and varying relationships. And even if the relationships were not directly familial, we are talking about affordable housing for as many people as possible in our city, with too many homeless for financial reasons.

Gabrielle L. Makuakane

Moiliili

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Christmas a holiday for government, too

In response to Jeff Merz’s letter on the separation of church and state (“Church, state rightly separated in display,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 17), I don’t believe his comments go far enough.

He neglected to point out that federal, state, county and city governments allow their employees a holiday upon the annual commemoration of Christ’s birth. Perhaps Merz would like to initiate the discontinuance of such a practice.

I am always amazed by how so many just don’t understand the term, “Christmas.”

Theone Vredenburg

Makiki

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UH-Hilo college not part of TMT deal

Regarding the article by Kevin Dayton suggesting that the University of Hawaii had a deal to clear the way for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea (“Hanabusa says UH had deal to clear way for telescope,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 4), no one from the UH-Hilo administration, nor in the Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani College of Hawaiian Language, was part of any agreement regarding TMT and the funding for the construction of the college’s Haleolelo Building.

UH-Hilo is also not aware of any community member entering into such an agreement.

Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani College of Hawaiian Language has always pursued a policy of open discussion on issues including — and well beyond — TMT, while supporting faculty, staff and student prerogatives to express their individual views.

The college’s work on the revitalization of the Hawaiian language is something that should be celebrated. I am confident Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani College of Hawaiian Language will continue to positively impact generations to come.

Dr. Marcia Sakai

UH-Hilo interim chancellor

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Ethnic cleansing not merely ‘complicated’

In regards to the long article on traveling to Myanmar (“Myanmar,” Star-Advertiser, Travel, Dec. 17): Allow me to quote Julie L. Kessler, who reports on “allegations of military ethnic cleansing” in Myanmar, concluding that “one thing is crystal clear: Life is complicated and multifaceted.”

I’m not quite sure how many of us would address the question of genocide. Did she also write on the beauties of Rwanda in the 1990s or of Cambodia in the 1970s, in the fine lineage of travelogues about Rhine River trips in the early 1940s?

Susan M. Schultz

Kaneohe

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Most young people don’t care about golf

All the bells and whistles in the world will not attract the younger generation to golf (“New golf concept sought for Ala Wai,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 16).

Why? Because young people view golf as too long, expensive and boring.

To play golf proficiently requires time, patience, work and perseverance. These are concepts lost on young people.

I have worked with them. Some get it, but the majority does not. I found them to be lazy and entitled.

In order for golf to survive, it needs to attract the younger generation. Unfortunately, golf faces an uphill battle. To me, the beauty of golf is that it challenges you. Try hitting a golf ball in the direction you want, 250 yards. Even a two-foot putt can’t be taken for granted. It requires perfection from a species that’s not perfect.

Try explaining that to young people. They don’t get it. They’re too busy looking at their smartphones.

Robert K. Soberano

Moiliili

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Cannabis and guns are not a good mix

Regarding Rhoads Stevens’ letter (“Cannabis-gun policy akin to police state,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 30): The Honolulu Police Department’s now-rescinded order to surrender your guns if you are a legal cannabis patient was quite clear. The patient can choose medicinal cannabis for certain medical conditions, with the approval of a health professional. Or the patient can say, “No thanks, my guns are more important to me. I’ll just live with my medical issue.”

But the real question is: Why do we want our police to deal with a person who has a gun and who also is impaired by cannabis, alcohol or mental illness? How does that make any of us more safe?

Nancy Manali-Leonardo

Waikiki

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Discuss N. Korea with China, Russia

The United States needs to begin talks on North Korea with China and Russia at the diplomatic table, even without North Korea joining in.

The Chinese border with North Korea is almost 900 miles long. North Korea’s border with Russia is much shorter. Any military options implemented by the United States would immediately draw in China and Russia with unfortunate consequences.

The United States needs to communicate its resolve by drawing in those countries most immediately affected by our moves, even though they may not agree with our preliminary stance or position.

Jay Pineda

Waikiki