“The state … has unique challenges, such as an economy long dominated by tourism. Many of Hawaii’s available jobs are in the service sector and don’t pay enough to cover the state’s high housing costs,” says a recent article (“Nation’s lowest unemployment rate is no paradise for Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, April 4).
Although tourism once served us well, we should be shifting away from tourism toward industries with high-tech components because of their higher salaries. Unfortunately, the tourism industry is so powerful that it can prevail upon state government to appropriate more than $80 million to the Hawaii Tourism Authority to promote tourism so that tourism can continue to expand.
Those funds should be shifted to the Department of Education to increase the salaries of classroom teachers. That would entice more highly qualified college students to become teachers. In the long run, it would raise the quality of public education, resulting with the skilled workforce needed to support high tech and jobs with higher salaries.
John Kawamoto
Kaimuki
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Court put limits on right to own guns
The “March for Our Lives” protest, a student-driven movement organized in the aftermath of the tragic incident in which 17 students and staffers were gunned down at a Florida high school, has re-ignited the debate over gun control.
Opponents of gun control believe the Second Amendment provides citizens unlimited rights, free from government interference, to own virtually any gun, including military-style assault weapons.
However, the U. S. Supreme Court, in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), ruled that the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. The court recognized the right of citizens to possess guns but rejected the notion that government can’t regulate gun ownership. The court determined that even a fundamental right can be regulated and gun ownership is no different.
In view of the court’s ruling, Republicans are wrong to insist that governmental regulation of assault weapons is unconstitutional. They should do the right thing by joining others in the search for sensible gun control measures.
Rod B. Catiggay
Mililani
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Homeless should clean up their mess
I am referring to the homeless or the socially challenged people living in Chinatown along Aala Park, next to 215 N. King St.
Why does our government do a “sweep” from time to time — to help these people? This simply does not make sense. We are not helping them. They are taking advantage of us.
It appears that we are just doing their cleaning chores for them, free of charge. As soon as the cleanup is done, they come right back.
The “sweep” is not the solution. I have witnessed these homeless people dumping their trash and broken shopping carts into the river.
Why not have them pitch in to help clean up their own mess?
Please don’t forget to register to vote. Aloha!
Roland Louie
Kaimuki
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No evidence Syria used chemical arms
Like Yogi Berra reportedly said, “It’s deja vu all over again!”
This week in Syria, we have a single-source video that a chemical weapons attack on civilians had taken place. No independent confirmation, nor any credible material evidence, was offered. But immediately, the U.S. and several NATO countries blamed the Syrian government for such a purported atrocity.
Indeed, this is almost a virtual replay of a similar incident one year ago. And, not surprisingly, President Donald Trump quickly fired off some 58 cruise missiles against a Syrian airbase within 48 hours. All without even bothering to ascertain any objective facts or a thorough investigation.
Does the American government think that the public has already forgotten the fake Iraqi weapons of mass destruction pretext that launched the illegal and genocidal invasion on that victimized nation back in 2003?
This time, can we dare to hope that the mainstream media won’t be cheerleading another illegal military aggression on another Mideast nation and its innocent civilians?
Danny H.C. Li
Keaau, Hawaii island
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FOX News provides honest GOP analysis
I say good riddance to Charles Djou, Beth Fukumoto, et al, who are leaving the Republican Party in Hawaii. They’re all liberals in this most liberal state, yet have called themselves Republicans.
Until you’ve heard analysis from the likes of Judge Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity, Neil Cavuto and others at FOX News, you haven’t a clue as to the honest opinions of Republicans.
Joanne H. Fong
Ewa Beach
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Individual has right to choose how to die
I was very disappointed to read the column by Dr. Ira Zunin (“Medically assisted death bill should not have been passed,” Star-Advertiser, April 7).
All he did was rehash the litany of objections that opponents of medical aid in dying have claimed for years, without any evidence that any individual person was ever harmed by having the right to choose.
He seems to believe no one has the right or capacity to judge when a person can end their life. I believe that only the individual has the right and the insight to determine when their quality of life is no longer worth living.
Thankfully, with the passage of House Bill 2739 all the people of Hawaii are guaranteed that right.
Charles Miller
Aina Haina
