Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
In an effort to ease Hawaii’s severe shortage of public school bus drivers, the governor signed an emergency proclamation that temporarily allows vehicles other than school buses to be used to transport students (“Alternate vehicles OK’d for student transport,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 21).
Emergency proclamations are just that, for emergencies. Historically, emergency proclamations were reserved for expediting government’s response to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes and tsunamis. In recent history they have been used to address homelessness and affordable housing. But are these “emergencies” that could have been planned for and addressed through government policies in the traditional way that issues facing our communities are resolved in a representative democracy?
No doubt, we (all of us as participants in our own democratic republic) have let homelessness, affordable housing and busing kids to school become “emergencies.” What does this say about our government institutions? What does this say about us as citizens?
Jesse Souki
Hahaione
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter Opens in a new tab
