If the main purpose of the child tax credit payments is to reduce poverty and close the income gap between the proverbial haves and have-nots, to which some politicians have alluded, then the program needs to be changed (“Tax credit could lift Hawaii families out of poverty,” Star-Advertiser, July 16).

The 2021 poverty line is $26,500 with a family of four. Why, then, under this program, do couples earning up to $150,000 a year receive a full credit of $300 per child, up to $3,600 a year? Also, why does a single parent earning up to $112,500 receive that same amount per child?

On the other hand, many kupuna in our society need the same kind of assistance that the child tax credit provides. This program could be renamed and expanded for our kupuna without changing the payment amount.

The income cutoff to receive full credit would be restructured to $50,000, not $150,000. The program would expand so that each kupuna whose income is less than $50,000 also would receive $300 per month, up to $3,600 a year.

Such changes would surely bring about a more equitable distribution of wealth in our society.

Carlino Giampolo

Kakaako

More details needed on those contracting COVID

Who are the people contracting COVID-19 and the delta variant? Residents? How many each day? Visitors? How many each day? Unvaccinated? How many each day?

These are important numbers to know in order to determine what our approach should be for possible tourism and resident restrictions.

Telling us only the general numbers or percentages doesn’t give us the bigger picture.

I would like to know, at least, of the 276 people who contracted COVID-19 (as reported on Sunday), how many are unvaccinated residents and how many are unvaccinated tourists?

This would give us a better and more focused perspective of how the virus is spreading. Sadly, for those people who think this is an us (residents) versus them (tourists) situation, clarification is needed.

John Laslo

Waikiki

Virus, unvaccinated are two common enemies

We are now dealing with two common enemies among us. The first is the COVID-19/delta variant. The second are the unvaccinated.

I am told over and over again that it is about freedom of choice, but with freedom comes responsibility. The unvaccinated do not have a right to make others ill. If you choose to remain unvaccinated, then your movement within the general population should be restricted.

The answer is a simple one. If you want to join the rest of us, then roll up your sleeve and get the shot.

James Jones

Hawaii Kai

Please get vaccine for sake of my 3 grandsons

Please help protect my three grandsons, all under 12, from the coronavirus. Get vaccinated, please.

Thanks.

Milton Nitta

Pearl City

Find a way to save view from Haiku Stairs

I am very disappointed in the people representing Windward Oahu. Anybody can decide to take the Stairway to Heaven down, but it would take someone with vision to come up with a viable plan to keep it, so all can enjoy the most beautiful view of the windward side of this island (“Haiku Stairs’ removal advances at Honolulu City Council,” Star-Advertiser, July 21).

I live in the subdivision that has experienced all of the selfish and irresponsible behaviors of those seeking to get to the stairs. There is no excusing the bad behavior of those that came before this, but to remove the stairs is wrong.

I do not want to elaborate on the good, because it will just increase the disrespectful behavior of those who feel complete disrespect for others. Posting security at the base of the stairs and enforcing the law is the only way you can stall the illegal trespassing. This must be 24 hours a day.

Why not have someone build a tram or find a way to legally transport people to and from the stairs and charge for the privilege? There must be a way.

George Higashi

Kaneohe

Some aid to Philippines serves useful purpose

Two articles on the opposite editorial page Monday urged cancellation of military aid to the Philippines to protest the brutal tactics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Those tactics deserve to be condemned. But the situation is more complex than the way it was presented.

For decades two armed revolts have persisted — one Communist, the other Muslim nationalist. The United States has a defense treaty with Manila and has supplied modest amounts of aid accordingly to deal with these problems.

Also, China has illegally encroached on Filipino offshore territories.The U.S. is trying to help the Philippines deal with this.

U.S. aid should be limited to legitimate purposes, but should not be canceled.

Carl H. Zimmerman

Salt Lake

Commending couple’s continuing closeness

I clearly can’t constrain a crazy, compulsive craving to comment on the concise advise for couples: “Go with the flow” (“Wise advice from man married 70 years,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, July 22).

Certainly convey my congratulations for the clear-cut case of the couple’s credible and continuous closeness.

I was compelled to commence composing a comparable corresponding contribution. Consider a consensual consistently constant, complementary and conscientious adherence to the classic four Cs: communication, consideration, compromise, commitment.

Robert Stewart

Waikiki

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