Columnists right about mishandled tourist tax

As a veteran tourism worker, I wish to thank both Dave Shapiro and Richard Borreca for their columns in Sunday’s Star-Advertiser covering the legislative handling of the Hawaii Tourism Authority budget and the transient accommodations tax (TAT) (“Hawaii will pay cost of tourism vacuum left by Legislature,” Volcanic Ash; and “After decades of back-and-forth on tourism, ball lands in counties’ court for more taxation,” On Politics).

Reading their articles clearly reflected that they have, as the saying goes, “their heads on their shoulders,” and certainly points out those legislators who have their heads somewhere else!

I’d also like to point out that what the legislators call “3%” that the counties may add to the current TAT is a 29.3 % increase to the current 10.25% TAT, not a 3% increase somewhat conveniently misstated by those with insufficient math skills who also aren’t concerned about potential visitor reaction to such an increase.

John Votsis

Kaimuki

Help is out there to help others on mental health

Millicent Nouchi’s letter asked for ways to help a friend with depression (“Help needed to help others with depression,” Star-Advertiser, July 6).

The state of Hawaii, in partnership with the University of Hawaii-Manoa’s Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, expanded its crisis hotline to include access to mental health resources and substance use treatment services. The Hawaii Cares hotline is free — on Oahu, call 832-3100 or call toll-free (800) 753-6879.

If you are looking for counseling or therapy services, go to www.psychologytoday.com for comprehensive information about Hawaii-based psychotherapists, including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors.

Aloha United Way offers a comprehensive statewide community information and referral service: dial 211.

The demand for these services has skyrocketed during the pandemic, but there are available resources out there.

Brian Kanno, LCSW

Mililani

Let’s work to curb noise ruining neighborhoods

Loud noise does ruin our quality of life in paradise!

It’s everywhere, near and far — from leaf blowers and barking dogs in your neighbors’ yard, to touring helicopters hovering in our skies.

And from our friends with speeding motorcycles and wonky scooters, to endless sirens piercing our neighborhoods day and night. Auwe!

They all need to take a NAP, and join a Noise Abatement Protocol. Let’s organize a community effort to do this.

Mike McCormack

Kaimuki

More affordable homes needed for local people

Why is housing so expensive? A three-bedroom home for $1.2 million or a one-bedroom for $500,000 would take me many years beyond retirement to finish paying off.

If you look at the demographics in Hawaii, a large part of Oahu with senior citizens, the “X generation” works from paycheck to being broke; this population must find it cheaper to leave the islands in search of better opportunities for careers and to buy cheaper but better homes on the mainland.

I am appalled at our Legislature for not passing laws that favor affordable housing built on agricultural land. Our governor poses for photos that favor expensive real estate projects, and yet he allows two bills to pass on the Garden Isle in favor of farming and his administration says no to homes built on agricultural lands.

Is this trend going to continue with our Legislature and the governor? If so, Hawaii will only be affordable to the rich from the mainland and foreign countries. Please think about this seriously when you vote in 2022.

Lester L. Fung

Wahiawa

Right a wrong: Rename McKinley High School

I graduated from McKinley High School in the 1960s. We now know the facts of President William McKinley’s role in the big lie of “annexation” (“What Fourth of July means to Hawaiians,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, July 4).

Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto is charged to teach truth to the students in her care, but she cannot do that while aware of the truth of this issue. The proper action would be for Dr. Kishimoto, prior to leaving her job at month’s end, to recommend to the Board of Education to change the school’s name and remove the statue. This is not an attempt to change history. Lessons learned as children, to correct wrongs when we know them, hopefully will be demonstrated as adults.

We must correct egregious wrongs. There is no statute of limitations on immoral acts. Alumni will always have memories. Students of the future will learn MHS’s complex history and make great memories with a new school name. Most importantly, a mocking symbol of oppression will be removed.

Piilani Kaopuiki

McCully

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