Ho‘opili will result in net loss of jobs

Sidney Higa is convinced that D.R. Horton’s massive Ho‘opili development will supply jobs for his grandchildren ("Ho‘opili needed for jobs and housing," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 6).

Sadly, by the time his grandkids are swinging a hammer, Ho‘opili will already be built out, and it will be back to the drawing board for work.

The best way to sustain jobs for generations to come is to keep that land in agriculture. We’re talking about the most productive farmland in our state, providing work for growers, distributors and food processors for years — plus the satisfaction of knowing that labor is helping our community end its dependence on mainland imports.

Ho‘opili will result in a net loss of jobs, and is not the answer for our kids.

Beth McDermott
Honolulu

Don’t single out city golf courses

Why are we picking on golfers ("City should sell its golf courses," Star-Advertiser, Letters, Oct. 5)?

If we start selling off municipal golf courses, what next? The tennis courts, basketball courts, gun range, archery range, soccer fields and parks? What else can people enjoy that doesn’t cost a lot of money? Please, not the beaches.

If we only subsidize what the majority uses, we would have only sidewalks and streets.

Vincent Hee
Mililani

Disorder nothing to be ashamed of

In an average elementary school, there are likely five children suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

In a medium-to-large high school, there are typically 20 students battling OCD.

And in a workplace of 500, there would be about five employees who have OCD, most likely hiding their symptoms from their colleagues.

OCD is in our community. There has been an active support group on Oahu for the last 19 years. Residents should not feel ashamed or embarrassed if this condition affects their lives.

In most cases, OCD is treatable. But studies show that people suffer unnecessarily for years because of lack of information and a shortage of therapists trained to diagnose and treat it.

This is International OCD Awareness Week, Oct. 10-16, and people can learn about OCD and its treatment by going online to www.ocfoundation.org.

Virginia M. Klein
OCD Support Group of Hawaii

B&B made visit to Hawaii enjoyable

My wife and I recently visited Oahu, and became aware of the current controversy concerning B&B’s.

I would like to say that we enjoy staying in B&Bs because we like the personal touch that accompanies staying in someone’s home. And we enjoy not having to go out for breakfast.

Contrary to what one resident wrote in your paper, B&Bs do not displace local residents, as the proprietors of B&Bs have to live in the houses that serve as the B&Bs. So they are merely sharing their homes with others.

We had a wonderful time staying in a B&B in the Hawaii Kai area, spent about $2,500 during our trip in restaurants, lodging, car rental, gasoline, botanical garden entry fee, museums, entertainment and gifts, which helped the local economy.

We would not have come had we been unable to stay in a B&B.

Ronald H. Berman
Berkeley, Calif.

Not all highways getting fixed up

It is sad commentary that Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit attendees will have to see our poorly maintained roads at the same time we are trying to show off our city.

For those who plan to visit the North Shore via Kaneohe, they will experience, perhaps, the worst highly traveled road in the state, namely the lower portion of the Likelike Highway.

Paul Miller
Kaneohe

High school game needs better venue

I must agree with Dave Reardon’s column on the recent game between two of the state’s football powerhouses ("Farrington and Kahuku deserve bigger venue," Star-Advertiser, Further Review, Oct. 2).

They need a better venue. I was at the game sweating profusely on the concrete slab due to the early schedule. Maneuvering through the crowd to the restroom and concession stand was like being in a mosh pit.

When we arrived at the concession stand, it had no drinks.

To top off the night, my car was tagged for being parked within four inches of a driveway, where the car parked in front of me was blocking a fire hydrant and not tagged at all. I don’t get it.

Ample parking, concessions, restrooms and seating all make for a better spectator experience. We are there to support our kids, and we drive far from the country to get to games in town.

If the games were at Aloha Stadium, they would be better.

Tui Faitala
Kahuku

Collapse the ‘Tank’ and let fish prosper

I grew up in Kapahulu in the 1950s. We often went to the "Tank," as the Natatorium was called back then. I took swimming lessons there; jumped from the tower, but never above the second platform; rode the slide off the third platform.

Years later I would swim into the pool at night, swimming in under the wall. There were many openings under the wall by the 1970s. There were lots of fish, too.

So how about collapsing everything except for the facade into the pool? Then the reef fish would have a safe haven. Ban fishing there for 15 years, then regulate fishing at that place. My grandfather was a World War I veteran, so I would like to see the memorial part remain.

Here is an opportunity to fix some damage, help restore the fish stocks in the area and save the War Memorial part. All in one fell swoop.

Sharon Pomroy
Anahola, Kauai